Ice Dogs, Wildcats bring home thrilling Game 1 wins

May 12, 2016

Robertson Cup Semi-Final #1, Game 1: Aston Rebels 1 vs. Fairbanks Ice Dogs 2 (Fairbanks leads best of 3 series, 1-0) - Aston got off to a quick start as just over five minutes into the game the Rebels took advantage of their first power play of the game.  Thanks to some hard work to get the puck to the point, the Rebels worked the puck to Gvido Jansons, who fired a shot at Fairbanks goalie Gavin Nieto, with the rebound squirting to forward Dom Garcia who ultimately poked the puck past Nieto from the side of the net for the first goal of the Robertson Cup. Late in the 2nd period, the Ice Dogs finally tied the game at 1-1 as Reggie Lutz and Tyler Tomberlin found themselves on a 2 on 1. With some nice passing, Lutz put shot past Rebels goalie Darion Hanson. Midway through the 3rd period, the Ice Dogs took the lead for good as Lutz struck again for his second goal of the game as he collected a rebound after a shot on goal by Adam Kleven was stopped by Hanson, but the rebound leaked to the right side where Lutz swooped in. The Rebels thought they had tied the game late in regulation with a goal, but it was ruled that the goalie Nieto was interfered with in his crease.  Nieto made 29 saves in the win, while Hanson made 24 saves in the loss. Game 2 of the series is Friday at 4:30pm. Boxscore

 

Robertson Cup Semi-Final #2, Game 1: Bismarck 2 vs. Wichita Falls 3 (Wichita Falls leads best of 3 series, 1-0) – The game got off to a fast start with the Bobcats scoring just 1:18 into the game as a rush into the zone led to a shot on goal, which was stopped by Wildcats goalie Justin Kapelmaster. However, rebound popped up into the air, off Kapelmaster’s leg and into the back of the net. Oskars Batna was credited with the goal. Less than two minutes later, the Wildcats tied the game thanks to sustained pressure in the Bobcats zone, getting the puck to the point where Jake Dalton wristed a shot past a screened Bismarck goalie Hunter Sheppard, knotting the game at 1-1 just three minutes into the contest. Another fast start to the 2nd period led to two more goals by each club.  Less than three minutes into the period, Bobcats forward Willie Brown found himself on a breakaway and slipped a backhander past an outstretched Kapelmaster for a 2-1 lead for Bismarck. The Wildcats responded four minutes later as some cycling down low got the puck to the point where Noah Gilreath’s shot was tipped home by Ryan Burnett. With the 3rd period dominated by great goaltending from Kapelmaster and Shepard, it took until under three minutes to go in regulation for the Wildcats to net the game-winner.  The tally came off the stick of Burnett, his second goal of the night as he wired a one-timer from the middle of the slot thanks to a great pass from linemate Garrett VanWyhe. A last-second shot was denied by Kapelmaster to secure the Game 1 win. Kapelmaster made 21 saves in the win, while Shepard made 39 saves in the loss. Game 2 is Friday at 7:30pm. Boxscore