Granite City Lumberjacks Dominate Willmar WarHawks in 5-3 Victory

The Granite City Lumberjacks showcased their dominance in the NA3HL’s West Division with a decisive 5-3 victory over the Willmar WarHawks on March 15, 2024. The match, held at the Miller Buick GMC Rink in Sauk Rapids, saw Granite City improve its record to an impressive 17-2-0-0, solidifying their position at the top of the division.

Willmar got off to a strong start, with defenseman Dylan Mees scoring the opening goal at 10:21 of the first period. This marked Mees’s third goal for the WarHawks this season, having previously played with the West Bend Power. However, the lead was short-lived as Granite City quickly responded.

Just 1 minute and 40 seconds into the game, Garrett Plaude tied the score with his 11th goal of the season, setting the stage for a remarkable offensive display by the Lumberjacks.

The Lumberjacks continued to exert control, scoring four additional goals throughout the match. Teagan Dodge netted the team’s third goal at 4:22 in the second period. The scoring spree culminated in the third period, where Ty Smith, Alexander Zelazowski, and Easton Sankey found the back of the net, extending Granite City’s lead to 5-1.

Willmar fought back with two goals in the third period. Gabe Adams, a center from Bellevue, Nebraska, scored on a power play at 7:26, followed by a goal from Carson Wendorff, who plays both defense and forward, at 4:04. Despite these efforts, the WarHawks could not close the gap, finishing the game with a record of 7-11-0-0.

The match also featured notable penalties, including a game misconduct for Granite City’s Mason Ray for cross-checking. The intensity of the game was reflected in the number of fouls, which kept both teams on their toes.

Looking ahead, the WarHawks will face the Alexandria Blizzard at 19:10 on March 17, 2024, at the Willmar Civic Center Arena, hoping to bounce back from this challenging defeat.

In summary, the Granite City Lumberjacks demonstrated their formidable skill and teamwork, overcoming an early setback to secure a solid victory against the Willmar WarHawks, further establishing their dominance in the league.