Blizzard hockey: Alexandria falls before the holiday break

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There was a change at the top of the NA3HL’s West Division but it didn’t involve Alexandria after the Blizzard got swept in games against Granite City and Minnesota this past weekend.

The Lumberjacks have been getting a lot of attention through the early portion of the season after coming back as the defending champions. They look committed to making a run at another title after going 22-3-1 through this past weekend, which now includes a perfect 5-0 record against Alexandria after a 5-3 win over the Blizzard last Friday night.

That record isn’t even enough to lead the West Division, though. North Iowa has taken over that top spot with a 22-2-1 mark and 46 points. The Lumberjacks fell into second place, a point behind the Bulls, while Alexandria remains in third place with 35 points.

The Blizzard had a 17-10-0-1 record after falling to Minnesota 2-1 in Little Falls on Saturday night. Alexandria outshot the Aces 46-19 but a third-period goal by Minnesota’s Andre Pison proved to be the game winner. The Aces got that win despite being outshot 20-6 in the final frame. The Blizzard’s only goal came from Garrett Skinner almost 17 minutes into the second period.

Alexandria was coming off a disappointing loss at home to Granite City from the night before. The Blizzard trailed 4-1 in that game before Ritchie Brown and Tanner Duffney each scored third-period goals to make it 4-3 midway through the final frame.

Alexandria couldn’t get any closer as Mitch Humphries scored at 17:14 to put the finishing touches on his team’s fifth win over the Blizzard this season. Penalties didn’t help Alexandria against one of the best teams in the league as the Blizzard racked up 44 minutes on 13 infractions.

Alexandria will have a weekend off before jumping back into things with two home games next weekend. The Blizzard will welcome in division-leading North Iowa on January 4 before Twin City comes to town the next day. Both games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

ALEXANDRIA 0 1 0 – 1

MINNESOTA 0 1 1 – 2

SHOTS – Alexandria – 11, 15, 20 – 46; Minnesota – 8, 5, 6 – 19

Scoring

FIRST PERIOD – No scoring

SECOND PERIOD – Minnesota – Blake Williams (Blair Seitz, Alec Brandup), 0:43; Alexandria – Skinner (Ian Ecklund, Chayce Coenen), 16:50

THIRD PERIOD – Minnesota – Pison (Tate Sykes), 1:30

GOALTENDING – Alexandria – Erick Majerle – L, 17 saves, 19 shots; Minnesota – Allen Patten – W, 45 saves, 46 shots

GRANITE CITY 1 2 2 – 5

ALEXANDRIA 1 0 2 – 3

SHOTS – Granite City – 12, 8, 10 – 30; Alexandria – 9, 11, 9 – 29

Scoring

FIRST PERIOD – Alexandria – Bryce Mitzel (Karson Kuntz, Mick Dhein), 3:42; Granite City – Brett Love (shorthanded) (unassisted), 8:45

SECOND PERIOD – Granite City – Alex Koopmeiners (Aaron Storch), 12:03; Granite City – Aaron Azevedo (Mattheu Railoa, Blake Phenow), 14:55

THIRD PERIOD – Granite City – Zac Sikich (Drew Otto), 3:10; Alexandria – Ritchie Brown (Ecklund, Skinner), 6:23; Alexandria – Duffney (shorthanded) (Chayce Coenen, Ecklund), 9:53; Granite City – Mitch Humphries (Azevedo, Blake Phenow), 17:14

GOALTENDING – Alexandria – Chase Wilson (7-4-1-3) – L, 25 saves, 30 shots; Granite City – Scott Murray (13-2) – W, 26 saves, 29 shots

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, blizzard, hockey, na3hl