Cyclones split series with Grizzlies to remain in 1st place
(Wausau, WI) – Wausau took on the Rochester Grizzlies over the weekend at Rochester Rec Center in the first matchups between the teams this season. Wausau won 3-2 in overtime on Friday night and fell 5-4 in overtime Saturday evening. The series split moves the Cyclones record to 12-1-2-0, which keeps the team in 1st place in the Central Division by four points.
Friday night, Rochester got out to a 1-0 lead after a goal from Sam Johnson. Micah Saxon netted his 6th goal of the season at 8:21 of the 1st period to even the score at one. The second period saw both teams score just one goal apiece. Wausau got their goal thanks to Jake Garrow’s team leading 13th of the season. After a scoreless 3rd period the Cyclones headed to overtime for the third consecutive game. In overtime, forward Connor Dvorak provide the game winner after a top play worthy goal as he skated in against three defenders. Goalie Tanner Bonjernoor picked up the win in net for Wausau after stopping 49 of 51 shots.
Saturday night’s game saw another back-and-forth contest. Wausau got on the board first on a goal from Landon Bechtolt at 16:10 of the first period. That lead wouldn’t last long as Rochester tied the score at one just over a minute later. The second period saw Connor Dvorak light the lamp just 42 seconds into the period. Rochester would then get the next two goals to give them a 3-2 lead. Forward Truman Zerse answered back late in the second to tie the game at three on an assist from Chase Benbow.
The final 20 minutes saw Rochester go ahead at 3:44, but old reliable Connor Dvorak netted his 11th of the season to tie it with just over five minutes remaining in the contest. Saturday night had a different ending as the night before as Rochester got the overtime game winner at 2:06 on a goal from Andrew Bastian. Dereck Namlick took the loss for Wausau after stopping 34 or 39 shots.
Wausau is off this coming weekend before returning home versus Peoria November 15 and 16. Puck drops at 7:10pm for both games. Stay connected during the season by following the Cyclones @wausaucyclones on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Subscribe to the Cyclones podcast “Inside Cyclones Hockey”, available on your favorite podcast network.
The Cyclones are members of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL), one of three USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior leagues, serves as one of the top training grounds in the country by providing the best coaching, exposure and developmental vehicles available for student-athletes in its classification. The primary mission of the NA3HL is to provide a structured developmental environment for student-athletes who have aspirations of playing in the NAHL or United States Hockey League and eventually the NCAA or American College Hockey Association. For more information, visit wausaucyclones.com.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
