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Third period rally gives Mosinee 3-2 win over Waupaca

By Michael Trzinski - WiPH Staff, 01/08/16, 7:15PM CST

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Indians score twice in five minute span in final period

Mosinee scored two goals in the third period and went on to a 3-2 victory over Waupaca in the opening game of the 18th annual Community Parks Hockey Classic at the K.B. Willett Arena on a cold and rainy Friday evening.

The Indians came out firing early, but Waupaca goalie Walker Smith was up to the task, stopping four quality shots in the first four minutes and keeping Mosinee off the scoreboard for nearly two periods.

But more on that later.

The Comets got on the board first more than midway through the opening period. 

Jack Menzies grabbed a loose puck at center ice and took off down the right side before ripping a shot from the right circle that found the back of the net behind Mosinee goalie Zach Bednar.

Mosinee had two power play chances late in the period but did not convert as the teams skated off with Waupaca holding the 1-0 lead. Mosinee outshot Waupaca by a tally of 20-6 in the period.

The Comets had a pair of man-advantage opportunities early in the second but failed to score.

Both goalies came up big toward the end of the stanza, with Smith making a glove save and Bednar stopping a breakaway to thwart scoring chances.

But Walker's streak of 38 saves came to an end with 25 seconds left in the period as Bryce Rheinschmidt loosed a shot from the right point through traffic and into the net to tie the score at one. Landon Stepan earned an assist on the play.

The teams skated off with Mosinee holding a 19-8 shot edge in the period.

Waupaca grabbed a 2-1 lead with just under 12 minutes left in the final period, only to see Mosinee tie the game seconds later.

Cody Rasmussen scored from the low left circle to give the Comets their last lead at the 5:17 mark, with an assist to Drake Hiddemen.

Just 27 seconds later, Zeth Pyan scored an unassisted goal for Mosinee to tie the contest at two.

WiPH Game Summaries

Mosinee got the game winner with less than seven minutes to play when Tanner Lindell got behind the defense and scored from the low left circle to make it 3-2, with assists from Dylan Bednar and Michael Alfonso.

The Comets took a time-out with 2:10 left to play and then got a power play chance seconds later on a boarding major by Pyan.

Smith came out with 75 seconds left, but the extra attacker left too soon and the play was whistled dead and the face-off came at center ice.

Mosinee kept the puck in the Waupaca zone and by the time Smith came off with seven seconds left, it was too late and Mosinee celebrated a 3-2 victory.

Shots were 14-5 in favor of Mosinee in the final 17 minutes.

Zach Bednar stopped 17 shots in the win, while Smith ended his busy night with an even 50 saves.

Mosinee (7-5) will play Appleton United Saturday at 5pm for the Community Parks title, while Waupaca (5-7) will square off with host SPASH at 7:15 for the consolation title.