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SAUK RAPIDS A 15th-straight win for the Granite City Lumberjacks on Wednesday night was fitting, as the Jacks retired the No. 15 jersey of Ezra McPhail.

McPhail suffered a spinal cord injury while play for the Jacks in December2011. He wasgoing for a check when the opponent ducked, sending McPhail head-firstinto the boards. He started in a wheelchair but now uses arm crutches to move around.

Head coach Brad Willner said McPhail continues to be active playing sled hockey and mono skiing, also being a role model for others that have been injured.

"Ever since Ezra's accident happened, no Lumberjack has worn 15,"Karl Kise, director of public and media relations, announcedWednesday night. "After this evening, it will never be worn again."

A packed crowd of 1,256 fans, including Lumberjacks alumni and McPhail's family, watched as Ezra'sbanner was unfurled in front of the current Lumberjacks team during the first intermission in an emotional scene.

Kise also detailed the incredible run for the Lumberjacks in the 2011-12 playoffs, with McPhail rejoining the team from the sidelines as they became the 2011-12 NA3HL Silver Cup Champions.

"The look on his face, the look in his eyes knowing his team came through for him ... I still get chills thinking about it," Kise said. "Everything he went through that entire year, he overcame it all. He's one of the strongest people I've ever known."

The Lumberjacks honored McPhail's special night with a dominant winover the New Ulm Steel, usingthree quickgoals from Zak Kennett, Kullan Daikawa, and Bjorn Jorgenson in a three-minute span to givethe Lumberjacks a 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission. A total of sixdifferent Lumberjacks players scored goals in the 7-1 victory.

Daikawa had two goals and leads the Jacks with 28 points this year on 11 goals and 17 assists, while St. Cloud alum Nick Richert is second with eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points. Richert had a goal and assist against New Ulm on Wednesday, and he's scored at least one point in all four wins over the Steel this year.

The Lumberjacks have dominated the Steel in their four meetings, outscoring them 25-5. The shots advantage was a ridiculous 44-7 on Wednesday and 15-0 in the third period. New Ulm is now5-16 overall this year.

Matthew Smith picked up the win in goal for Granite City, who has been nearly unstoppable this season. He's made eight appearances in the last two months with a perfect 8-0 record and three shutouts, averaging only one goal against and saving 94 percent of shots.

The Lumberjacks are now 19-1 overall, with their only loss this season coming to the Mason City Toros on Oct. 1. They are comfortably in first place in the NA3HL West division afteroutscoring opponents 107-29 this season.

Granite City is back at home on Saturday night, hosting the Alexandria Blizzard at 7:30 p.m.

Zach Dwyeris a sports reporter and photographer for the St. Cloud Times. Reach him at 320-406-5660 or zdwyer@stcloudtimes.com. Follow him on Twitter @sctimeszach.

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Lumberjacks honor McPhail with jersey retirement - and 15th-straight win - St. Cloud Times