The North Iowa Bulls relied on the scoring touch of Johnny Panvica, who netted two goals, to beat the Twin City Steel, 5-2.
Panvica\’s tallies came at 13:06 into the second period to make the score 3-1 North Iowa and on the power play 5:09 into the third to make the score 5-1 North Iowa.
Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 10:02 into the third period. Twelve fighting penalties were dished out along with three game misconducts.
North Iowa forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up four minors and five majors for 83 minutes in penalty time. The Bulls surpassed its season average of 19.0 penalty minutes per game. North Iowa\’s offense rang up 51 shots on Twin City\’s net.
North Iowa additionally got points from Trey Gardner, who also registered one goal and one assist and Jake Johnson, who also had one goal and one assist. Tommy Heinzman also scored for North Iowa. More assists for North Iowa came via Conor Durgan, who had one and Brett Gravelle and Joe Burgmeier, who contributed three each.
The Steel\’s penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled eight minors and four majors for 86 minutes in penalty time. Twin City had been averaging 29.0 minutes in penalties per game.
The Steel were led by Mathias Ahman, who tallied one goal. Ahman scored on the power play 18:38 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Twin City had gained a power play chance when Connor Bump was whistled for roughing. Tom Reilly provided the assist. Twin City also got a goal from Jake McGlocklin as well. In addition, Twin City received assists from Kyle Wagner and Joe Costello, who each chipped in one.
Chris Amsden recorded 26 saves for the Bulls. North Iowa registered two goals on seven power play opportunities. For the Bulls, Robert Click and Durgan were ejected from the contest. Parker Butler made 46 saves for the Steel on 51 shots. Twin City registered one goal on four power play opportunities. Team\’s Cody Thurman and Chris Skordilis were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game.