New Year's Eve NAHL summaries
Aberdeen Wings 2 @ Bismarck Bobcats 1 – In a classic duel of two of the top goalies in the NAHL, it was Aberdeen’s Chad Catt who made 39 saves to best Aaron Nelson and the Bobcats in Bismarck on New Year’s Eve by a 2-1 score. After a scoreless 1st period, Bismarck took their only lead of the night on a goal in the 2nd period from Tony German. Less than a minute later, Jake Horton answered back for the Wings. With less than two minutes in the 3rd period, Austin Heakins scored the game-winner as the Wings moved into 2nd place. Boxscore
Fairbanks Ice Dogs 3 @ Austin Bruins 4 – Jay Dickman had a goal and an assist to lead the Austin Bruins over the Midwest-leading Ice Dogs on Tuesday night. Austin jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the 1st period on goals from Austin Nelson and Sam Kauppila. Hans Gorowsky scored for the Ice Dogs to make it 2-1, but Dickman would answer late in the 2nd period to make it 3-1. Colton Wolter and Jacob Hetz would score for Fairbanks in the 3rd period to make things interesting, but the game-winner would come from Luke Dietsch midway through the final period. Boxscore
Lone Star Brahmas 3 @ Amarillo Bulls 6 – Behind 54 shots on goal and two goals apiece from Carter Penzien and Mike Davis the Bulls beat the Brahmas 6-3 in front of over 2,800 fans in Amarillo. Lone Star took an early 1-0 lead on a goal from Sebastian Vidmar, but the Bulls answered with four straight goals including two from Davis and others from Penzien and Timmy Moore. In the 3rd period, Penzien would add his second of the game along with a goal from Brady Ferguson to counter two goals from Lone Star’s Donovan Gardiner and Alex Dagnal. Boxscore
Port Huron Fighting Falcons 4 @ Springfield Jr. Blues 2 – Alex Blankenburg and Max Milosek combined to make 51 saves as the Fighting Falcons doubled up the Jr. Blues 4-2 on Tuesday. Port Huron led 2-0 after the 1st period thanks to a pair of power play goals from Jonathan Kopacka and Bryan Yim. Jr. Blues forward Trevor Stone cut the lead to 2-1 in the 2nd period, but Noah Batis scored late to increase the Port Huron lead to 3-1. Kevin Shand scored for the Jr. Blues in the 3rd period to cut the lead to 3-2, but Vito Aluia would add the fourth insurance goal for Port Huron. Boxscore
Michigan Warriors 1 @ Johnstown Tomahawks 4 – In front of a sold out crowd in Johnstown, the Tomahawks completed an early week sweep of the Warriors with a 4-1 win. Johnstown led 1-0 after the 1st period on a power play goal from Jordan Watt. The lead swelled to 2-0 in the 2nd period on a goal from Joe Drabin. Jon Farkas scored for Michigan early in the 3rd period to cut the lead to 2-1, but a pair of goals from Matthew Meier in the final six minutes would secure the win for Johnstown. Boxscore
Coulee Region Chill 5 @ Minnesota Magicians 0 – Blake Cates stopped all 34 shots that came his way for his first career NAHL shutout as the Chill beat the Magicians, 5-0. The Chill started the scoring early in the 1st period taking a 2-0 lead on goals from Blake Kelley and Dunk Abbott. The lead increased to 4-0 in the 2nd period on a power play goal from Richard Zehnal and another from Mac Jansen. In the 3rd period Eddie Matsushima’s power play goal made the final 5-0. Bryan Nies made 27 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Minnesota Wilderness 2 @ Brookings Blizzard 3 – It was high drama in Brookings on Tuesday night as Blizzard goaltender Connor Girard saved his best save for last as he stopped a penalty shot with :17 seconds remaining in the game to preserve a 3-2 win. The teams traded goals in the 1st period and again in the 2nd period. Conrad Sampair and Joe Nathe scored for Brookings, while Ivan Chukarov and Darian Romanko scored for the Wilderness. Evan Hesse scored an early 3rd period goal that would stand as the game-winner. Girard ended up with 43 saves, while Wilderness goalie Frank Oplinger made 24. Boxscore
Kenai River Brown Bears 3 @ Minot Minotauros 2 – The Brown Bears came from behind to score two goals in the 3rd period to beat the Minot Minotauros, 3-2. Minot had a 1-0 lead after the 1st period on a power play goal from Tim Donohue. The Brown Bears answered back just :16 seconds into the 2nd period on a power play goal of their own from Alec Butcher. Jake McCann would score a few minutes later to make it 2-1 at the end of two periods. In the 3rd period, Kenai River got two power play goals from Jack Gessert and Frankie Spellman to secure the win. Boxscore
