Steele County Blades Have Successful Opening Weekend in Wisconsin
The Steele County Blades junior hockey came home with three out of four possible points in their season-opening series at the Dells Ducks this past weekend.
Steele County let a three-goal lead slip away Friday in a game they ultimately lost 7-6 in overtime. But on Saturday they came back from a three-goal deficit to win 5-4 in the closing seconds to earn the regulation victory. Coach Nick Adamek says, "The guys showed a good compete level" during a roller coaster weekend.
He liked the perseverance the team showed in the second game when the Ducks burst ahead 3-0 in the middle of the first period. The Blades scored three straight in the second period to tie the game at 3-3. Steele County grabbed a 4-3 advantage less than a minute into the third frame on a goal by Soren Colstrup, his second of the game.
The Ducks tied it at 4-4 at the 13:17 mark. The Blades avoided a second straight overtime when Chase Lewis potted the game winner on a power play with six seconds remaining in regulation. Tim Grounds earned the victory in goal with 31 saves on 35 shots. The Blades outshot the Dells 41-35 and converted three of their 10 power play chances Saturday.
Steele County is off until September 23 when they open a weekend series at the Detroit Fighting Irish. The Blades' home opener is Saturday, October 15, at the Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna against the Dells Ducks. View the Blades' schedule.