Oregon Tradesmen continued their “home” schedule last weekend in Monroe hosting the Central Division leading Rochester Grizzlies. After two games each team took home two points in the standings.
After 11 games the Tradesmen (6-5-0-0) have yet to play a game at Oregon Ice Arena due to COVID-19 restrictions. Their first three were played in Janesville 40 miles away. With the Janesville Jets season now underway ice is limited so the team made the 35 mile trek south to the Stateline Ice & Community Expo.
Abe Laggis opened scoring early in the second period for Oregon. It was the first goal of the season for the 19-year old native of Rhinelander who posted 51 points in 46 games last season with Helena Bighorns.
Verona graduate Leo Renlund celebrated his Tradesmen debut with a goal at 16:47 of the second to make the score 2-0.
Despite being shut down for the opening 39 minutes Rochester showed its grit and were rewarded with a powerplay tally just before intermission. They carried that momentum into the third tying the game at 2:58.
Like most of the game, the two teams went toe-to-toe until Sam VanDerHoeven found the back of the net at 18:38 making the score 3-2. Brent Edmondson added an empty net goal in the final minute to seal the victory.
🚨 Sam VanderHoeven (6) scores with 1:22 to play to give the Tradesmen a 3-2 lead!
Danny Reis and Brent Edmondson with assists. https://t.co/mGqVOUKDwR #NA3HL— Oregon Tradesmen (@OregonTradesmen) November 21, 2020
Goaltender Hunter Adams, who played all 120 minutes during the weekend, was excellent all game finishing with 38 saves.
The teams met again the following night in what turned out to be a 5-1 Grizzlies victory.
Former Grizzlies defensman Luke McKinch and Sheboygan grad scored the lone goal of the night for Oregon at the midway point of the third.
Next up for the Tradesmen is a Saturday matchup against the Wausau RiverWolves (2-6-0-0). The game will again be played in Monroe.