The #9 Green Bay United Grypons had their hands full in their second round matchup at the DC Everest Holiday Tournament on Tuesday against the Honorable Mention Oregon Panthers.
United netted a power play goal with 3:34 left to break the 2-2 tie, secure the victory and advance to the championship game on Wednesday.
The Panthers dominated the ice for the first five minutes of regulation, keeping the puck in the United zone and peppering goaltender Will Griswold and breaking through with a power play goal off the stick of Austin Janssen to take a 1-0.
The goal seemed to spark something in the Gryphons though. And they took over the offense with an extremely aggressive fore check netting two goals in 13 seconds to take a 2-1 lead.
Evan Janssen netted the first United goal, unassisted from the slot, and Garner did the same, putting a shot in on Oregon goaltender Tyler Stensaas’ face, and banging home the rebound.
Green Bay United vs. Oregon
DC Everest Holiday Tournament
The game evened out after the early scoring, but the pace stayed frantic. Oregon evened it up with 6:02 remaining in the first period. Ben Scherschel hit Blake Watzke to open up the ice, and Watzke hit Alec Vanko in the slot to tie the game.
The score remained 2-2 until United netted a power play goal with 3:34 left to break the tie and take the win. Hunter Routheau hit Jay Routheau in the high slot, Routheau put the shot through a screen to take the lead.
Griswold stopped 21 shots for United to take the victory. Oregon’s Tyler Stensaas put up a valiant effort, including a 15 save third period, but his 31 saves weren’t enough to overcome United.
United advances to the championship game of the DC Everest Holiday Tournament against the winner of DC Everest and Waunakee. Oregon will face the loser in the third place game.
