The Granite City Lumberjacks continued their dominant run in the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) West Division, defeating the Willmar WarHawks 5-3 on March 15, 2024. The victory at the Miller Buick GMC Rink marked Granite City’s impressive record of 17 wins and 2 losses this season.
Willmar initially took the lead with a goal from defenseman Dylan Mees at 10:21 in the first period. This marked Mees’ third goal of the season, having previously played with the West Bend Power in Wisconsin. However, this lead was short-lived as Granite City quickly responded.
The Lumberjacks scored five consecutive goals, beginning with Garrett Plaude‘s 11th goal of the season just 1 minute and 40 seconds into the game. This equalized the score and set the tone for the rest of the match.
Following Plaude’s goal, Teagan Dodge extended Granite City’s lead with a tally at 4:22 in the second period. The Lumberjacks maintained their offensive pressure, with additional goals coming from Ty Smith, Alexander Zelazowski, and Easton Sankey in the third period, pushing the score to 5-1.
Despite trailing, the WarHawks did not back down. They managed to find the net twice in the third period, with goals from Gabe Adams and Carson Wendorff. Adams scored at 7:26, while Wendorff followed up with a goal at 4:04. Both players contributed to a spirited effort, though it ultimately fell short against a skilled Granite City team.
The final score of 5-3 highlighted the Lumberjacks’ ability to capitalize on opportunities while showcasing the WarHawks’ resilience. The game featured a total of 37 shots on goal for Willmar, with goalkeeper Sam Moen making 32 saves. In contrast, Granite City’s Nathan McH faced 18 shots, recording 15 saves.
Looking ahead, the WarHawks are set to face the Alexandria Blizzard on March 17, 2024, at 19:10 at the Willmar Civic Center Arena. As they strive to improve their current record of 7 wins and 11 losses, the team will aim to build on the lessons learned from this match against one of the league’s top teams.
The Lumberjacks’ victory reinforces their status as a top contender in the NA3HL, leaving them well-positioned as the season progresses. With a track record that speaks for itself, Granite City will continue to be a team to watch as they pursue further success in the league.
