FOREST LAKE, Minn. — The Watertown Shamrocks completed a weekend sweep of the Minnesota Mallards, securing back-to-back one-goal victories to move to 31-21-3-2 on the season.
On Friday, goaltender JJ Salajko made 38 saves to lead Watertown to a 4-3 win. The Shamrocks jumped to an early lead with first-period goals from Justin Obrochta and Joe Rice. After Minnesota’s Cohen Hoening answered, Owen Chartier extended the lead to 3-1. The Mallards cut the deficit to one before the first intermission on a goal by Drew Bowe.
Andrew Smulkstys added a power-play goal in the second period to make it 4-2. Despite a late goal from Minnesota’s Keanan Pearman, Salajko held strong in the third period to preserve the win.
On Saturday, the Shamrocks’ offense exploded in a 7-6 victory. Watertown started fast with four goals in the opening frame from Payton Struck, Owen Fask, Kyle Greene, and Joe Rice. Minnesota rallied in the second with three goals, but Watertown’s Ben Davis scored to maintain a 5-3 lead entering the final period.
Daniel Halonen increased the lead to 6-3 before the Mallards narrowed the gap to one. Owen Chartier provided crucial insurance with a power-play goal at the 1:51 mark. Although Minnesota scored once more, the Shamrocks defense held firm. Salajko earned his second win of the weekend, stopping 22 of 28 shots.
Watertown concludes the NAHL regular season this weekend with a home-and-home series against the Aberdeen Wings on April 10 and 11.
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