Zack Lawdermilt knows very well the recent Minnesota Section 8A boys hockey history.
"It's been Warroad or Thief the whole time," he said. "I think it's our turn to do something in Section 8."
The East Grand Forks Senior High forward did his part Friday night in establishing the Green Wave as a team to beat in the section. Lawdermilt scored all three Green Wave goals in a 3-2 overtime victory against Warroad in the East Grand Forks Civic Center.
Lawdermilt buried two feeds from Andrew Gregoire, including the sudden-death winner at 4:03 of overtime.
Gregoire entered the zone on the right went, fought through a check in the circle and managed to throw a centering pass to the slot, where Lawdermilt was sandwiched by two Warrior defenders.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 5-foot-8 senior found the puck at his feet and slid it just inside the post to set off a celebration with his teammates. It marked the 12th goal of the season for Lawdermilt and his second hat trick.
"Whenever you play a section game against Warroad, an opponent of that caliber, it's a big game," Senior High coach Cory Chupka said. "It's always a good win whenever you can win a Section 8 game."
With the win, No. 4 Senior High improved to 5-1. Warroad, ranked 13th, dropped to 4-3.
The Green Wave, who have outscored their opponents 13-2 in the first period this season, got off to another fast start against the Warriors.
Midway through the first period, Gregoire led an odd-man rush up the left wing for the Green Wave. He spotted a wide open Lawdermilt in the slot and Lawdermilt picked the high glove-side corner of the net.
Warroad tied it late in the second when Tyler Elson tipped a Kyle Sylvester point shot at 15:02.
The Warriors took a brief lead early in the third period when Tommy Astrup finished off a nice passing play that was started by Sylvester and Hayden Timm.
But the Green Wave evened it at 7:27 with Warroad junior Aaron Haataja in the box for slashing Senior High goaltender Hunter Aubol. Lawdermilt, stationed in the right circle, had a puck land on his stick after a goal-mouth scramble. Lawdermilt buried the goal into an open net.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I think the big change in the game was after we tied the game in the third period," Chupka said. "We rallied behind each other, got back together and the momentum switched to our side. Going into the overtime, I believe we had the edge."
In the end, it was a hard-work play by Gregoire and Lawdermilt that won the game for the Green Wave.
"I just crashed the net and the puck was sitting there," Lawdermilt said. "I just had some puck luck tonight."
Reach Schlossman at (701) 780-1129; (800) 477-6572, ext. 129; or send e-mail to bschlossman@gfherald.com .
