The game between the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks and the St. Louis Jr. Blues was tight through all 60 minutes, but in the end Cleveland emerged with a 4-2 win.
Neither team gained more than a one-goal lead, and Mike Palasics\’s goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker.
St. Louis\’ power play was ineffective against the Jr. Lumberjacks\’ penalty kill, which allowed one goal while shorthanded.
Cleveland was sparked by Nick Balavich, who racked up one goal and one assist. Balavich scored on the power play 10:45 into the third period to make the score 3-3. The Jr. Lumberjacks had gotten the advantage when the Jr. Blues\’ Alexander Turin was sent off for tripping. Tyler Stockwell assisted on the tally.
Cleveland additionally got points from Stefan Horgas, who also finished with one goal and one assist and Jared Johnson, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Other players who recorded assists for Cleveland were Avery Huibregtse, who had one.
St. Louis could not produce up to it normal offensive output. The Jr. Blues put an average of 4.3 pucks into the net per game. Cleveland was unable to stop St. Louis from sending pucks towards the net, and the Jr. Blues eventually piled up 49 shots on goal.
St. Louis was helped by Alex Klaesner, who registered one goal. Klaesner scored 6:07 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Kyle Meeh provided the assist. St. Louis also had goals scored by Adam Roeder and Mike Lozano, who scored one goal each. In addition, St. Louis received assists from Simon Koscielski, who had one.
Joseph Moza rejected 47 shots on goal for the Jr. Lumberjacks. Cleveland incurred 20 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Cooper Cothran recorded 25 saves for the Jr. Blues. St. Louis incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.