Saturday Scores: Drillers, Lumberjacks, Power Close Out Fraser Cup Field
Granite City 3 @ Rochester 1 (Granite City wins series 2-0): The defending Fraser Cup champs are heading back to St. Louis as they defeated the Rochester Grizzlies 3-1. Maksim Lakic gave Rochester the early lead in Game 2 but the lead was short live as just 19 seconds later Jack Louis tied the game up for the Lumberjacks. Christian Carto put Granite City in front for the first time as he netted a goal about six minutes into the middle frame. Eli Tiernan added some insurance midway through the third period. Ryan Lehet was nearly perfect as he turned aside 33 of the 34 shots he faced. Nick Kurtiak was stuck with the loss as he finished with 24 stops.
Louisiana 3 @ New Mexico 2 (Louisiana wins series 2-1): Casper Rys Sakrisvold’s goal in the second period proved to be the game winner as the Louisiana Drillers knocked off New Mexico 3-2 in the decisive Game 3 of the South Division Finals. Roman Vitolo got Louisiana out in front first with a goal midway through the first. Carson Pavlowich tied the game about five minutes later for the Ice Wolves. Johnathon Berndt gave Louisiana the lead again midway through the second before Sakrisvold’s goal increased the lead to 3-1. Braeden Whitesell got New Mexico within one with just under seven minutes left to play but Sebastian Thome would stand strong and finished with 37 saves on the night to send the Drillers to their first Fraser Cup appearance.
Wausau 0 @ West Bend 1 (2OT) (West Bend wins series 2-0): Jace Fitzgerald cemented himself in West Bend Power lore as he scored the game winning goal in overtime to send the Power to their first Fraser Cup in team history. A bouncing puck at the side of the goal found Fitzgerald’s stick and he was able to beat Collin Lemanski for the first time in 83 minutes of action. Ian Kangas was perfect as he stopped all 34 shots in the victory while Lemanski was just as good as he turned aside 32 of the 33 shots he faced.
