More close games the story on Day 2 of the Showcase
Carter Johnson had two goals including one in a 3 on 3 overtime as Corpus Christi won on Day 2 of the NAHL Showcase on Thursday.
Odessa 3 vs. Janesville 2 – Gunner Rivers made 27 saves for his first NAHL win as Odessa picked up a close 3-2 victory over Janesville as each team moved to 1-1 at the Showcase. After a scoreless 1st period, Janesville was first to score as Martin Sundberg found the back of the net early in the 2nd period. Odessa responded with two goals from Gray Marr and Daniel Kiraly to take a 2-1 lead into the lockerroom. The Jets briefly tied the game halfway through the 3rd period with a power play goal from Taylor Fernandez, but just over two minutes later, Brandon Tucker scored the game-winning goal. Blake Weyrick made 20 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Johnstown 4 vs. Brookings 0 – The Tomahawks handed the Blizzard their first loss of the young season thanks to the first career shutout of Johnstown goalie Nick DeSimone, who made 28 in a 4-0 shutout. Alex Alger started the scoring in the 1st period, which would stand as the game-winner. Zak Galambos added a power play goal in the 2nd period and Austin Heakins made it 3-0 in the 3rd period with a shorthanded tally. Alger added his second goal of the game with an empty-net goal to make the final 4-0. Brookings goalie Eric Hancock played well in the loss, making 35 saves. Boxscore
Corpus Christi 3 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2 (OT) – In the first overtime game of the Showcase, the IceRays improved to 1-1 at the event thanks to a 3-2 OT win over the Knights, who despite the loss earned their first ever NAHL point. The Knights enjoyed a 1-0 lead after one period after a shorthanded goal from Tanner Bennett. The IceRays would equalize at 1-1 early in the 2nd period with a power play goal from Steve Bryant. The Knights regained their one-goal advantage with a strike from Aiden Beck. It looked like the Knights were on their way to the win, only to see Carter Johnson tie the game with 1:02 remaining in the 3rd period. Johnson then struck again in overtime as he crashed the net to redirect a shot. Dryden McKay made 29 saves in the win, while Grant Valentine made 40 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Springfield 4 vs. Austin 1 – The Jr. Blues picked up their first win of the Showcase as a three-goal 1st period propelled them to a 4-1 victory over the Bruins. It took almost 16 minutes, but the Jr. Blues broke through for three goals in a three minute span with goals from Anthony Scarsella (power play), Michael Houle and Brady Tomlak. The lead increased to 4-0 late in the 2nd period as Joey Lupo scored his first goal of the season. Austin broke through late in the 2nd period as Justin Misiak scored on the power play. It would be all the Bruins would get as Tommy Napier shut the door the rest of the way making 27 saves. Kristofer Carlson made 29 saves in the loss. Boxscore
MN Wilderness 3 vs. Amarillo 1 – The Wilderness answered an early Bulls scored and scored three unanswered goals to pick up their second win in as many days at the Showcase as they beat Amarillo 3-1. Chase Munroe made 18 saves in the win. Just over three minutes into the game, it was the Bulls who jumped ahead 1-0 on a goal from Brady Crabtree. Six minutes later, the Wilderness tied the game with a power play goal from Casey Gilling. In the 2nd period, Ryan Bloom smashed home a rebound while on the power play to make it 2-1. Gilling would add his second goal of the game early in the 3rd period to make the final score 3-1. Jacob Weatherly made 35 saves in the Bulls loss. Boxscore
Wichita Falls 2 vs. Coulee Region 1 – Goaltender Julian Sime made 16 saves to pick up his first career NAHL win as Wichita Falls edged the Coulee Region Chill, 2-1. The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the 1st period with a late goal from Ben Lown. Early in the 2nd period, the lead increased to 2-0 as Max Reisinger scored his first goal of the season. The Chill got on the board midway through the 3rd period as Sam Werner scored, but it would be as close as the Chill would get. Chill goalie Hunter Vorva made 26 saves in the losing effort. Boxscore
Fairbanks 1 vs. Lone Star 0 (SO) – In a battle of what appears to be two of the top teams in the league so far this season, the Ice Dogs stayed perfect with a 1-0 shootout win over the Brahmas. Fairbanks goalie Gavin Nieto and Lone Star goalie Conor O’Brein put on the goaltending duel of the Showcase as each was credited with a shutout. Nieto made 25 saves, while O’Brien made 30 saves. In the end, it was former Brahmas and current Ice Dogs forward Liam Stirtzinger who ended up with the shootout winner as he drove down the middle of the ice and snapped a shot past the blocker of O’Brien for the shootout-winner. Boxscore
Aberdeen 4 vs. Kenai River 2 – Gavin Payne scored twice to lead the Aberdeen Wings to their first win of the season as they topped the Brown Bears, 4-2. It was Kenai River who got on the board first as Gunnar Goodmanson scored a power play goal. Aberdeen answered right back with a power play goal of their own as Ethan Stewart scored. In the 2nd period, the Wings took their first lead of the game as Payne scored his first goal, but Kenai River was quick to answer with a goal from Evan Butcher. The game-winner came later in the 2nd period off the stick of Tyler Bossert. Payne added an empty-net goal in the 3rd period for insurance. Peter Thome picked up the win in goal for Aberdeen, making 21 saves, while Brian Baker took the loss making 36 saves. Boxscore
Minot 3 vs. Aston 2 – Minot jumped out to an early and held on to defeat the Aston Rebels by a goal, 3-2. A strong start propelled the Minotauros, which included two goals in the game’s first nine minutes as Christian Mohs and Jacob Dittel both lit the lamp. Aston would respond with their first goal before the period was up as Dean Balsamo scored to make it 2-1. In the 2nd period a goal from defenseman James LaDouce increased the Minot lead to 3-1. The Rebels didn’t quit as a late 3rd period goal from Andrew Zerban made it 3-2, but Minot would hold on the rest of the way. John Flakne picked up the win, making 15 saves, while Trevor Micucci played well in the loss making 36 saves. Boxscore
Topeka 3 vs. Bismarck 1 – The RoadRunners jumped out to an early lead and held on for a 3-1 win and their first win of the Showcase. Special teams helped the RoadRunners as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to a shorthanded goal from Matt Jennings and a power play goal from Ryan O’Connor. Bismarck got their lone goal in the 2nd period by Nick Alexander to cut the Topeka lead to 2-1, but an empty-net goal late in the 3rd period from JB Baker secured the win. Topeka goalie Tyler Johnson shined in the win, making 23 saves. Bismarck goalie Hunter Shepard took the loss making 25 saves. Boxscore
New Jersey 4 vs. MN Magicians 2 – Jesse Farabee scored twice to lead the Titans to a 4-2 win over the Magicians on Day 2. The Magicians excited the crowd early in the game as :19 seconds in Travis Brown scored to make it 1-0. However, the Titans responded with three straight goals to make it 3-1, including the game-tying goal from Raymond Brice and then two from Farabee. New Jersey got a fourth insurance goal early in the 3rd period from veteran Keegan Miller. New Jersey goalie Spencer Wright made 23 saves in the win, while Vaughan Ahrens made 31 saves in the loss for the Magicians. Boxscore
