UPDATE: The Rochester Grizzlies have suffered their third consecutive loss, falling 3-1 to the West Bend Power in a tense North American 3 Hockey League match at the Rochester Recreation Center on October 20, 2023. Despite dominating puck possession with a 14-6 shot advantage in the first period, the Grizzlies could not capitalize, marking a troubling trend for Marty Raymond’s squad.
In a defensive struggle, Rochester again conceded the game’s first goal, this time from a stunning assist by Armani Fisher to Elias Holan, giving West Bend a lead that they would not relinquish. The Grizzlies, who have now lost three in a row, are grappling with a significant offensive slump.
The second period saw a more subdued pace compared to Friday’s high-scoring affair but featured two highlight-reel goals from Holan and Adam Sexton, further solidifying West Bend’s control. Rochester managed to score late in the second period through Andrew Bastian’s power-play goal, marking his second goal this weekend, but it was not enough to shift the momentum.
Rochester’s struggles were amplified by their ineffective power play, converting only 1-for-8 opportunities, a stark contrast to their successful 3-for-6 performance the previous night. West Bend’s goaltender, Peter Burke, delivered a stellar performance with 40 saves, securing his team’s ninth victory of the season and pushing them closer to the top of the Central Division standings.
As the Grizzlies’ record now stands at 5-4-0, they face an urgent need to regroup as they prepare to meet West Bend again next Friday, October 24, at 7 p.m. in Rochester. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Grizzlies can break their losing streak and reclaim their momentum in the league.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops!
