Saturday Scores: Wolverines Finish Off Wilderness
Jr. Americans, Bobcats and Rhinos keep their seasons going (Photo Credits: Top: Meg Bartolick, Middle: Laurie Stroh, Bottom: Shea Herman)
Anchorage 6 @ Minnesota 2 (Midwest Division Semifinals, Anchorage Wins Series 3-1): The Anchorage Wolverines are off to the division finals for the second time in three seasons as they finished off the Minnesota Wilderness with a 6-2 win in Game 4 of the division semifinals. The goals came fast and furious early as Cole Christian got Anchorage on the board first but that lead was short lived as Beau Janzig evened the game at one just two minutes later. Two minutes after that Danny Bagnole found the back of the net to give the Wolverines the lead heading into the first intermission. Nate Murray tied the game once again for Minnesota but it was all Anchorage after that. Camden Shabby and Trenton Powell put Anchorage ahead for good with back to back goals in the middle frame. Taisetsu Ushio scored in the third and another from Powell into the empty net sealed the win for Anchorage. Liam Beerman turned aside 27 of 29 shots to earn the win in goal. Adam Prokop was stuck with the loss, he made 25 saves.
Maine 1 @ Rochester 5 (East Division Semifinals, Series Tied 2-2): After giving up the game’s first goal, the Rochester Jr. Americans would go on to score five unanswered as they extended their season with a 5-1 victory over the Maine Nordiques. Nicholas Bernardo found the back of the net first with a point shot through traffic. Rochester responded with two goals in 11 seconds as Thomas Rockey tied it up on a tap in and then came right back to give his team the lead. Jaden Dyke and Luca Leighton continued the onslaught in the second period to extend the lead to three after 40 minutes of play. Massimo Gentile would add an empty net goal in the final minute of play. Cole O’Donnell was nearly perfect with 28 saves for Rochester. Carter Richardson suffered the loss in goal as he ended the night with 29 saves.
Bismarck 8 @ Aberdeen 2 (Central Division Semifinals, Series Tied 2-2): The Bobcats did not want to see their season come to an end as Game 4 was all Bismarck as they flattened the Wings 8-2. Alexandr Kim led all skaters with three points, a goal and two helpers. Tamas Toth potted a pair of goals in the win while Landon Fandel, Jakub Kopecky and Matthew Rafalski all had a goal and an assist. Kyle Doll and Tommy Cronin also visited the red light district for the Bobcats. Simon Pollock and Luke Melnik contributed goals for the Wings in the loss. Stephen Peck stopped 32 shots in the blue paint for the victory while Adam Dyball and Croix Kochendorfer combined to make 31 saves for Aberdeen.
Shreveport 1 @ El Paso 3 (South Division Semifinals, Series Tied 2-2): With their backs against the wall, the El Paso Rhinos stood tall as they held off the Mudbugs 3-1 to force a Game 5 in the South Division semifinals. Luke Lindsay broke the ice with a blast from the point midway through the first period. It would remain 1-0 all the way to the third period where Alexandre Pellerin increased the Rhinos lead to two. Ryan Burke swatted home a power play goal to bring the Mudbugs within one with over 10 minutes left in regulation. Jakub Jerman would make sure there would be no overtime tonight as his empty net tally guaranteed the series would head back to Shreveport. Michael Manzi needed just 19 saves to grab the win in goal. Nikola Goich played well but was given the loss after he stopped 24 shots.
