Game Summary 09/20/2025 - Northwest Express-2 vs. Minnesota Blue Ox-5

Game Recap: Northwest Express vs. Minnesota Blue OxSeptember 20, 2025 – Coon Rapids Ice Center
The Northwest Express jumped out to an early lead, but the Minnesota Blue Ox stormed back with five unanswered goals to claim a 5–2 victory on Saturday night in Coon Rapids.

The Express wasted no time finding the scoreboard in the opening frame. At 13:44, Kyle LaMantia buried the game’s first goal off a setup from Zachary Halling, giving Northwest a 1–0 advantage. Less than a minute later, the Express struck again when Alexander Musyakevych converted on a feed from Preston Lundbohm and Bradyn Strachota, pushing the lead to 2–0.

Minnesota answered back in the second period. On the power play at 9:42, Caleb Goar cut the deficit in half, assisted by Gordy Lawson and Tommaso Mazza. The Blue Ox kept pressing and evened the score late in the frame as Aaron Stemper tallied at 17:04, sending the teams into the intermission tied 2–2.

The third period belonged entirely to Minnesota. Just 49 seconds in, Stemper notched his second goal of the night with help from Charlie Lorbiecki and Lucas Kiel, giving the Blue Ox their first lead. Less than a minute later, Lars Goerlitz extended the cushion, converting on a pass from Mazza and TJ Kelsey. Minnesota sealed the win in the final minutes when Nicholas Bierschbach finished off a feed from Goar, closing out the 5–2 decision.
Goaltender Will Zinnen faced 30 shots for the Express, turning aside 25. At the other end, Minnesota’s Cole Kelly stood tall, stopping 31 of 33 shots to earn the victory.

Despite outshooting the Blue Ox 33–30, the Express couldn’t overcome Minnesota’s late surge. Both teams finished with four minor penalties in a physical contest that saw momentum swing heavily in the second half.

The Express will look to regroup in their next outing as they continue Premier Division play.