Steel holds off Blizzard for NA3HL win

A frantic comeback attempt led by Logan Nelson, 19, from St. Michael, MN fell a goal short as the New Ulm Steel held on for a 6-5 win against the Alexandria Blizzard in NA3HL West Division action at the New Ulm Civic Center Thursday (Oct. 20) night.

A quick start paid a big dividend for the winners as the Steel opened up a 3-0 lead in the first 4:44 of the contest and while the Blizzard managed to twice get to within a goal it was never able to climb even with the Steel in this one.

The Steel carried a 3-1 lead out of the first period and Erik Rainerson, 18, from Sweden fired his second of the game early in the second to widen the gap to 4-1.

The Blizzard struck back with two in 90 seconds in the middle of the period and found themselves within a goal at 4-3 win 20 minutes to play.

The Steel piled on two more before Nelson finally came to life, scoring twice in 63 seconds, including a shorthanded marker with 2:37 to go to finish off a hat trick but the rally ultimately fell a goal short.

Along with the pair from Rainerson, the Steel was helped out by a goal and three assists by Fritz Belisle, 18, from Red Wing, MN and Alex Nagel, 18, from Antigo, WI chipped in a goal and an assist. Bayler Kraus, a 17-year-old hometowner from New Ulm set up a pair and other Steel goals came from Colton Raymond, 19, from Eagle River, WI and Sam Wenner, 19, from St. Peter, MN.

Along with the three from Nelson, the Blizzard got a goal and three assists from Logan Norman, 20, from Luverne, MN and a couple of helpers from Jack Cernohous, 20, from Hudson, WI. Riley Meyer, 19, from Carver, MN fired the other Blizzard goal.

This contest saw both teams with the pedal to the floor offensively combining on 25 shots in the first period and an unheard of 40-shot middle frame before relaxing the pace with 13 in the third. Overall, the Blizzard held a 41-37 edge on the shot board.

Jon Albers, 19, from Blaine, MN made 36 saves for the host Steel and Brey Effertz, 20, from Minot, ND turned aside 32 for the Blizzard.

Weekend Preview

This game was the only contest played on Thursday, kicking off another busy NA3HL weekend.

Most of the West Division teams will be involved with other Divisions on the weekend, but the 5-4-0-0 Steel will tangle with the 5-2-0-0 Willmar Warhawks on Friday (Oct. 21) at the Willmar Civic Center Arena while the Blizzard will host the 1-8-0-0 Rochester Ice Hawks at the Runestone Community Center. On Saturday the Blizzard and Steel will get a rematch at the New Ulm Civic Center again.

Other West Division games this weekend, the division leading Breezy Point North Stars (7-3-1-0) will host the 4-5-0-0 La Crosse Freeze at the Breezy Point Hockey Center for games on both Friday and Saturday while the 5-1-2-0 Granite City Lumberjacks will welcome the 6-5-1-0 Peoria Mustangs from the Midwest Division for a pair of games at the Armadillo Deck Sports Arena.

Other Midwest Division action will see a home and home set between the division leading 8-2-0-0 St. Louis Jr. Blues and 3-5-0-0 Evansville Thunderbolts, at the Swonder Ice Arena in Evansville Friday night and then at the Affton Ice Rink near St. Louis on Saturday. The Nasvhille Jr. Predators will host the Cincinnati Thunder at the Ford Ice Center on both Saturday and Sunday.

A battle of first and worst in the Central Division will see the 9-2-0-0 North Iowa Bulls traveling to the Canlan Ice Sports Arena for a three-game weekend series with the winless Chicago Bulldogs.

The East Division will see a couple of head to head matches Friday and Saturday as well, the West Michigan Wolves traveling to the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena in Jamestown, NY for Friday and Saturday matches against the Southern Tier Express while the Pittsburgh Vengeance is in Toledo for Friday and Saturday encounters against the Toledo Cherokee at the Team Toledo Ice House.