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Steel storm back to win in shootout

Staff photo by Steve Muscatello New Ulm Steel forward Keegan Bauman takes a shot on goal during the first period Friday against the Willmar WarHawks.

NEW ULM — The New Ulm Steel’s winning streak is now at 14 straight games.

But it took 60 minutes that included a three-goal third period by the Steel, a scoreless five-minute overtime and a shootout.

Dawson Schwingler’s goal in the shootout lifted New Ulm to a 5-4 win over Willmar Friday night in a NA3HL game.

Teddy Lillico scored twice for the Steel — both in the third period — with Joey Gimberlin and Jacob Halvorson adding goals.

Michael Savelkoul, James Spaargaren, Brian Oare, Schwengler, Lillico and and Erik Bromberg each added assists.

Steel goalie A.J Cohen stopped 33 of 37 Willmar shots.

The Steel trailed Willmar 3-1 going into the third period before Jacob Halvorson scored his 31st goal of the season to breath some life into New Ulm.

“We have been a third period team all season this whole year,” Steel coach Zach Stepan said. “And it is fun to see these guys never quit.”

After that, Willmar regained some momentum with a Marquez Ginger goal for a 4-2 lead with less than four minutes left in the game.

But two goals from Teddy Lillico coming 24 seconds apart knotted the game at 4-4 with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.

“Teddy scored both of them on the same shift,” Stepan said. “I don’t know if the hockey gods are on our side.”

After 65 minutes of hockey, it was Schwingler that sent New Ulm fans home happy when he beat WarHawks goalie Lukas Haugen for the win.

“Technnically that was (Schwengler) first NA3HL goal, but realistically it does not count,” Stepan said. “But he was a guy who dropped down to us (from the NAHL). Finding a way to get 2 points and keep the streak going was big. The winning streak is fun for the fans — the guys find a way to win whether it is giving me a heart attack or not.”

Stepan said that the team did a good job picking up for Cohen.

“A.J. did not have his best game but he just came back from Chippewa where he dressed but did not play and was rusty. But we picked him up.”

The Steel host Alexandria next Saturday at the New Ulm Civic Center.

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