Week 2 Produces Exciting Games

Some exciting games were played during week 2 of the NILL season.  Games were close, and one game came down to a final goal within the last minute of the game.

Silas Wieczorek goes to the air for a shot on goal

Game 1 proved to be the most dramatic of the night with Team 3- Wieczorek taking on Team 4 - Grand Rapids.  The score was close throughout the game and was tied 7-7 going into the final minute.  The league commissioner was left scrambling to find the league rules to remember how he designed overtime anticipating our first overtime game of the season (note: overtime is decided by a 3 minute over time period with sudden victory.  If after the 3 minute overtime period the game is still tied during the regular season, the game ends in a tie.  For playoffs, if the game is still tied after the 3 minute overtime period, sudden victory Braveheart ensues until a team scores a goal.).  However, the Grand Rapids team solved the problem with a last second goal to end the game.  Team 4 - Grand Rapids took the victory by an 8-7 score. 

Ben Dunnell and Joey Keating once again led the way for Team 4 with 3 goals apiece.  Jackson Schwartz and Doug Jensen each chipped in with a goal.  Joey Keating was also a ground ball machine, scooping up 8. 

For Team 3, Kyle Limoseth led the way with 4 goals and now leads the league in scoring.  Tom Wieczorek played the role of garbage man, cleaning up loose balls in front of the net and putting them in, scoring 2 goals on the night.  Jimmy Bendas chipped in with 1 goal and 1 assist.  Defenseman Hunter Wieczorek forced 7 turnovers and now leads the league by a wide margin in that category.

In game 2, the young Honey Badger team took on Team 5 - Grand Rapids.  Once again, the game stayed close throughout.  The score was tied 2-2 at halftime with both teams having a little trouble finding the net.  In the second half, the scoring opened up a bit with Team 5 finally taking a lead midway through the second half.  Bryce Holak would respond with a goal soon after to cut the lead once again.  However it wasn't enough, and the young Honey Badgers would fall to Team 5 by a 7-5 score.

Christian Higginbotham and Zach Smith led the scoring for Team 5 each scoring 2 goals.  Kirk Watson, Zachary Beyer and Joey Keating (filling in from Team 4) each added a goal.  Kirk Watson played tough defense causing 3 turnovers and scooping up 8 ground balls.

Bryce Holak and Zack Zierden led the way for the Honey Badgers each scoring 2 goals.  Dan O'Connell added a goal.

The last game of the night featured two strong Duluth teams, Team 2 - Halver and Team 6 - Free Agents.  While the Free Agents maintained a lead for the entire game, Team 2 fought hard and kept the game close.  Just when it looked like Team 2 was out of it, they would answer with a goal or two to make the game exciting.  In the end, the Free Agents would take the victory 13-9.

The Free Agents were led by midfielder Brandon Nispel who notched 4 goals.  Steve Lokken, Bobby Moore, Brandon Gilseth and Scott Wishart each added two goals apiece.  Matt Koppang chipped in with one goal.

Tyler Kolquist and Zach Galo led the way for Team 2 with 2 goals apiece.  Steven Halver, Matt Reeves, Cooper Carlson, Mitch Smerz and Peter Donars each added a goal.

Play will resume on February 5, Super Bowl Sunday, following a conference and the gun and knife show that will tie up Pioneer Hall.  Super Bowl Sunday Spectacular should be fun, with the game on TV and snacks and dishes for the players and fans.