Rochester, MN- The Mason City Toros earned a critical win against the Rochester Grizzlies on the road on Saturday night in a 6-5 barnburner.
Dominic Thomas led the way for the Toros with two goals and an assist for three points. Thomas scored his first goal in the first period following a goal by Rochester’s Andrew Lahaie. Luke Robertson added a goal to put the Toros ahead 2-1 going into the first intermission. Thomas scored his second goal of the night just 51 seconds into the next period to extend the lead. Jax Schauer added another goal in the frame to further balloon the lead. Maksim Lakic and Wyatt Witham cut the deficit down midway through the frame before Sam Menne extended restored the three-goal lead before the intermission.
Marcus Fritel added one final Toro goal in the third period for his 11th of the season. Rochester then piled up 20 of their 38 shots in the third period and nearly came back to tie the game. Noah Joyce scored in the middle of the frame and Maksim Lakic scored his second goal of the night to reduce the lead down to one. However, Devin Peck slammed the door shut, recording 18 of his 33 saves in the third to earn a needed win against a possible playoff opponent.
The Toros chased Riley Swanson from the net with four goals on ten shots. Nick Kurtiak came in the game and recorded 13 saves on 15 shots on the Grizzlies’ net.
Mason City returns home to face the Alexandria Blizzard for two games next weekend at the Mason City Arena and will be sporting specially designed jerseys that will be auctioned off after next Saturday’s game at the Mason City Arena.