Over four months ago the Oregon Tradesmen began their first season in NA3HL. After 26 games the team finally got an opportunity to play on home ice Friday night – although without fans – and celebrated with a 6-1 win over the Wausau Riverwolves.
First period goals by Zane Van Zeeland and Henry Slager were signs of things to come as the Tradesmen outshot the visitors 18-9 in the opening frame.
In a second period span of just over two minutes the Tradesmen made it 5-0. Ethan McCormick scored first at 7:23 before Jacob Best and Gunnar Schiffmann found the back of the net to blow the game wide open. Shot totals in the second ended at 27-16.
🚨 Gunnar Schiffmann makes it 5-0 Oregon! Lone assist by Sam VanderHoeven. https://t.co/3PTuJYwNkZ #NA3HL
— Oregon Tradesmen (@OregonTradesmen) February 20, 2021
Carter Stobb scored the lone goal of the third period.
“We played with much better energy tonight,” said head coach Don Babineau. “Playing in Oregon was great for us. Its been a long season and its nice to drive yourself to the rink.”
Goaltender Cole Garver made 34 saves to earn the win to improve his record to 4-3-0-0. The former Middleton High netminder improved his season stats: 2.39 GAA and .925 save%.
The Tradesmen (13-14-0-0) will travel to Wausau on Saturday for a rematch with the Riverwolves. Puck drop scheduled for 7:10 PM.