The West Bend Power traveled to Sauk Rapids, MN to face the Granite City Lumberjacks for the second series of the year and once again came away with a two-win sweep. This is the first time Granite City has been swept at home since 2013 and the first time any team has swept them in a season.
Monte Goold got the scoring started on Friday at the 14:16 mark of the first period with his 6th goal of the season off assists from Will Leshnock (3) and Connor O’Neal (11). The Lumberjacks tied things up at 10:29 for a 1-1 score at the end of the first period. Bryce Garber struck early, scoring his 16th goal of the season just 9 seconds into the second period. He was assisted by Nik Johnson (17). Jace Fitzgerald (10) extended the Power’s lead scoring at 6:19 of the second off assists from Mike Sobaski (3) and Cole Fenske (12) for a 3-1 margin after two periods of play. Power starting goaltender Jesse Easterwood was sidelined by a head injury and Walker Berner came on for the third period. The home team was able to bring it within one goal when Justin Lesser got the puck past Berner for a 3-2 game. Nate Cohen sealed the deal into the empty net with 32 seconds on the clock scoring his first goal of the season. He was assisted by Mike Sobaski (4).
Jesse Easterwood is credited with the victory, stopping 24/25 shots on goal. Walker Berner stopped 14/15 shots on goal in the third period. The Power had 23 shots on goal.
Saturday the Lumberjacks came out strong in the first period and were able to jump out to a 1-0 lead on a Hayden Johnson tally coming at 9:15 of the period. The home team extended their lead to 2 just 58 seconds into the second period, but the Power quickly turned things around, scoring 4 unanswered second period goals. Mike Sobaski (7) started the Power surge at 16:32 off assists from Lucca Weinkauf (4) and Monte Goold (3). Teagan Scheurer (13) scored the tying goal at 10:11 off a Cole Fenske (13) assist. Bryce Garber (17) put the visitors ahead for good, scoring at 6:13 off assists from Jace Fitzgerald (17) and Zach Wolverton (10). Brady Moore (2) kept it rolling, adding the Power’s 4th goal going 5-hole at 5:32 off assists from Odin Klebba (5) and Riley Planey (8) for a 4-2 lead after two periods. There was no scoring in the third until the Lumberjacks were able to bring it within one with an extra attacker and 56 seconds remaining but couldn’t pick up another and the Power came away with a 4-3 victory and weekend sweep.
Walker Berner stopped 20/23 shots on goal in the Power net. The Power had 30 shots on goal.
The Kundinger Fluid Power Player of the Weekend goes to Mike Sobaski.
The Power return home Friday, February 2 for a home and away series with the Wausau Cyclones. Friday’s 7:30 matchup is Washington County Humane Society Night and West Bend School District Night sponsored by Pet Supplies Plus West Bend. All West Bend students and staff will be admitted free with valid school ID. All fans will receive $5 admission with a donation to the Washington County Humane Society. Requested items include:
- Purina Cat and Dog Chow
- Bite sized treats
- Peanut butter
- Non-Scoopable Cat Litter
- Canned dog and cat food
- Dog and cat toys
- Paper Towel
- Laundry detergent
- Fabuloso
- Gift card to Fleet Farm, Friends of Nature (Slinger), Pet Supplies Plus, Kwik Trip or Piggly Wiggly
The Power travels to Wausau on Saturday, February 3 for a 7:10 puck drop at Marathon Park. Both games will be broadcast on NAHL TV.
