Saturday Scores: Jets, Brahmas advance to host semi-finals

May 2, 2015

Game 4: Janesville 6 @ Soo 2 – The Janesville Jets offense returned in grand fashion on Saturday night as they claimed Game 4 with a 6-2 win, to capture the best of five series, 3 games to 1 and win the North Division playoff title. Because the Jets are the #1 overall seed, they will be one of the two hosts for the next weekend’s Robertson Cup National Semi-Finals.  Their opponent will be determined following the conclusion of Game 5 of the Central Division Finals, which will take place on Monday night, but it will be either the Minnesota Wildness (if Austin wins) or the Minot Minotauros (if Minot wins). The Jets jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never looked back in the game, which including two goals from Nils Ryhaard and another from Dan Kucerovy. The Eagles responded with two goals in the 2nd period from Pat Gazzillo and Brad Pung, but they would never be closer than two goals to the Jets lead as Alex Smith added a 2nd period tally to make it 4-2 after two periods. In the 3rd period, an early goal from Grant Hutton put the game out of reach and Kucerovy added his second goal of the game later in the period to make the final score 6-2. Mitch Fossier also had a good night for the Jets, chiming in with three assists.  Jets goalie Matt Jurusik only had to face 18 shots and make 16 saves in the win. Soo starting goalie Jack Berry was pulled after letting in five goals and making 24 saves. Chad Catt came in relief and made seven saves in his final NAHL game. Boxscore

 

Game 4: Lone Star 3 @ Topeka 2 (OT) – The Lone Star Brahmas secured the South Division playoff title by capturing Game 4 on the road in Topeka of the South Division Finals by a 3-2 score in overtime. The win sends the Brahmas to the Robertson Cup Semi-Finals, where they will host a best of three series next weekend. Their opponent will be determined following the conclusion of Game 5 of the Central Division Finals on Monday, but they know if Austin wins then Lone Star will host the Bruins, but if Minot wins, then Lone Star would host the Minnesota Wilderness. After a scoreless 1st period to start the game, which saw both goalies stay sharp early, the Brahmas scored the first goal of the game thanks to a power play goal from Roman Uchyn.  The lead was short-lived however, as Topeka took a 2-1 lead to the lockerroom thanks to quick goals from Dominic Lutz and Mike Gornall. The Brahmas managed to tie the game midway through the 3rd period as mid-season addition Chad Guderian scored shorthanded. It took nine minutes of overtime for the Brahmas to find the game-winner as defenseman Sean Giles collected a loose puck at the point and fired a shot through traffic that beat a screened Drew Vogler for the series win. It was Giles’ second goal of the season as the defenseman had just one goal during the regular season. Jake Kupsky made 16 saves in the win, while Vogler made 28 saves in the loss. Boxscore

 

Game 4: Austin 3 @ Minot 4 – The Minotauros jumped out to an early lead and held off a late 3rd period charge by the Bruins to win Game 4 on home ice, 4-3 and force a fifth and decisive game back in Austin on Monday night for the fourth and final spot in the Robertson Cup Semi-Finals. If Austin wins, they will travel to Lone Star to take on the Brahmas.  If Minot wins, they will travel to Janesville to take on the Jets. Minot got off to a fast start, scoring three goals in the 1st period, which included goals from Max Mettler, Jake Howie and Chase Springman. Austin’s lone goal in the period came via the power play from defenseman Liam Feeney. The three goals in the opening 20 minutes forced a goaltending change for the Bruins as started netminder Evan Smith was lifted in favor of Jake Kielly. The Minotauros increased the lead to 4-1 with a 2nd period power play goal from Nate Poink, which would also turn out to be the game-winner. In the 3rd period, the Bruins made a valiant comeback with two goals from Luke Forfar and Alex Jasiek, but it would not be enough as Minot goalie Atte Tolvanen shut the door the rest of the way, making 41 saves on the night. Kielly took the loss, making 18 saves.  Smith made seven saves. Boxscore