BROOKINGS – Jimmy Elser lit the lamp on assists from Max Sasson and Parker Revering 29 seconds into overtime as the Brookings Blizzard beat the MN Wilderness 4-3 in an NAHL Central Division game Friday night at Larson Ice Center.
However, despite the win, the Blizzard were eliminated from playoff contention via Minot’s 2-1 defeat of Aberdeen.
The top four teams in the division qualify for the postseason, and the fourth-place Minotauros now have 60 points. Sixth-place Brookings (21-27-2- 5) has 49 points with five games to go – putting the Blizzard’s maximum point total at 59.
Vince Marino opened the scoring versus the Wilderness, converting on a power play on assists from Doug Larson and Cameron Teamor late in the first period.
The Wilderness pulled even early in the second after Garrett Worth found the back of the net.
Gabriel Wahl and Connor Koviak countered with back-to-back goals for the home team. Koviak and Tyler Hinterser assisted on the first, and Revering on the second.
The Wilderness quickly pulled even later in the second period as Ben Ward and Worth both scored.
Adam Brizgala made 24 saves to earn the win in goal. Ryan Fanti stopped 28 shots in the loss.
Both teams had just one penalty.
The Blizzard and third-place Wilderness (28-21-3-3, 61 points) face off again tonight at 7:05 in Brookings.
Register photo: Brookings’ Gabriel Wahl (center) is surrounded by Minnesota’s Andrew Troy (15), Colin Baird (left) and C.J. Regula (28) in front of the Wilderness goal as they eye a deflected puck during the first period of an NAHL Central Division matchup Friday night at Larson Ice Center. The Blizzard earned a 4-3 overtime victory.
