Mason City, IA- The Mason City Toros hosted a classic playoff matchup against longtime rival Granite City on Saturday night at the Mason City Arena. And in front of a raucous crowd, the Toros put forth a stellar effort, pushing the defending Fraser Cup Champion Lumberjacks almost to their breaking point. However, the Lumberjacks dug deep into their playoff experience bag and found enough magic to overcome a complete push by the Toros, extending the series back to Sauk Rapids for a Game 3 on Sunday night.
The night started in Granite City’s favor with a power play goal bouncing in off Toro goaltender Devin Peck, breaking his playoff goal-less stretch and staking the Lumberjacks to a 1-0 lead that they held into the first intermission.
Mason City answered back in the second, though their push was delayed by some controversy. Marcus Fritel deposited a loose puck into the net that was waived off as a result of goaltender interference. After an explanation came to Toro Head Coach Mark Hicks, Mason City capitalized on a power play opportunity following matching Carter Bollinger and Nolan Widman holding penalties and a Sam Brennan tripping penalty. Fittingly, the goal came off Fritel’s stick for his first playoff goal of the season.
Thomas Gerum replied with a top corner shot 13:09 into the second to restore the Lumberjack’s lead. On a Granite City power play later in the period, Mason City turned it on the Lumberjacks’ head thanks to Dominic Thomas recording his second goal and point of the postseason on a shorthanded breakaway that sent the score even into the second intermission.
The roof almost came off the Mason City Arena in a spectacular third period in which the teams traded goals all the way to the bitter end. Hayden Johnson went first, putting Granite City ahead 3-2. The Toros evened the score on a power play following a Nolan Widman tripping penalty. Matvey Ivanov notched his first postseason goal to even the score and send the fans at the Mason City Arena into a frenzy. That cheer turned quiet when Sam Brennan put Granite City ahead for good with 2:57 left in regulation. The Toros pushed and created a few more chances, but Granite City killed enough time to prevent more Toro chances and ended the night with a 4-3 win to even the series at one game apiece.
Devin Peck put up a brilliant 45 save effort in between the Mason City pipes.
Ryan Lehet matched Peck blow for blow with a 34 save performance.
The series returns to Granite City for one final matchup between on Sunday night. Puck drops at Sports Arena East, in Sauk Rapids, at 6 PM.