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Gessler's OT goal makes West a winner

By Michael Trzinski, 11/28/14, 8:30PM CST

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Warriors move on to Red Flint title game


Alex Gessler's game-winner with 2:48 left in overtime gave Wausau West a 3-2 win over Superior in the first game of the Red Flint Rock and Stone Meltdown Friday afternoon at Eau Claire Hobbs Ice Arena.

The senior forward grabbed a lead pass from classmate Sam Radenz and knocked in the rebound from his first attempt on Superior goalie Peyton Flanders to give new head coach B.J. Brandt his first career victory.

It appeared from the start that the contest was going to be a penalty-ridden affair, as three infractions were called in the first three minutes of play. But just as the players got used to the style of play, the refs put away their whistles for the remainder of the period and let the game move on.

Superior took the early lead with just under seven minutes left in the first on a shot from the left circle by Anthony Bronson that snuck past the glove hand of West goalie Paul Weise, with an assist to Troy Shold.

The period ended with the Warriors outshooting the Spartans 10-7.

West forward Alex Osness almost tied the game a couple minutes into the middle period, but his shot went just over the crossbar and bounced harmlessly into the corner.

The Warriors did tie the game six minutes later when Cale Bowman scored from in close on a delayed penalty with a little help from Andrew Lee.

The Spartans had three consecutive power plays in the last seven minutes of the period, but did not connect until the clock read 14 seconds left.

Caden Tchop punched in a rebound to give Superior a 2-1 lead, with assists given to Mark Shold and Troy Shold. 

West held an 11-7 shot edge in the period.

Superior almost made in a two-goal game early in the third, but Bronson's shot from the slot kissed off the outside of the left post instead of the inside to keep the score at 2-1.

Weise came to the bench a couple minutes later to replace his goalie mask, which was a little worse for the wear after he stopped a shot with his face.

West had two power play chances in the middle of the period, but was unable to score.

Coach Brandt took a time-out with 2:14 left, but it wasn't until 1:12 that he was able to pull his goalie for an extra attacker.

That paid dividends as Radenz scored on a rebound with 37 seconds left in regulation to tie the contest. Jacob Evans was credited with an assist.

Superior held a slim 13-12 shot margin in the third.

The overtime period featured back and forth hockey until Gessler was able to end the match with his game-winner.

Weise stopped 28 shots in the game for West, while Flanders made 37 saves for Superior.