Friday Finals: Tomahawks win tightens top of East Division
Kyle Kukkonen led the Minot offense with a goal and three assists in a 8-6 win Friday night over St. Cloud.
Maryland 2 @ Johnstown 3 (OT) - Reigning East Division star of the week John Gelatt delivered the overtime winner as the Johnstown Tomahawks edged the Maryland Black Bears 3-2. The win moved the Tomahawks into a 1st place tie with the Black Bears for the top spot in the East Division. Caden Lewandowski got the scoring started for Johnstown while Reed Stark added insurance in the second period. Down two with under three minutes to play, Daniel Colabufo’s fifth goal of the season brought the Black Bears within one. Josh Waters scored one minute later to tie the game and force overtime. Then Gelatt took matters into his own hands and scored his league leading 11th goal of the season. Sam Evola got the win in goal as he made 20 saves while Michael Morelli denied 46 shots for Maryland.
St. Cloud 6 @ Minot 8 - It was a wild one out in Minot as the Minotauros defeated St. Cloud in a Friday night shootout 8-6. Kyle Kukkonen led the Minot offense with a goal and three assists. Joseph Harguindeguy, Donte Lawson, Blaine Warnert and Kaiden Scott all had a goal and an assist in the victory. Isaac Keller, Will Crull and Carter Korpi also found the back of the net for the Minotauros. For St. Cloud, Ben Helgeson potted a pair of goals while Blake Perbix chipped in three helpers. Jack Reimann, Logan Kittleson, Ryan O’Neill and Nikolas Hong all scored for the Norsemen. Keenan Rancier made 38 saves to improve 8-3-2 on the year. Josh Weyandt and Paxton Geisel combined to make 23 saves.
Northeast 5 @ Maine 1 - Anton Castro turned aside 34 shots in his NAHL debut and the Northeast offense provided plenty of support as the Generals downed the Maine Nordiques 5-1. Tyler Cooper and Kyle Schroeder each had a goal and an assist while Andy Stoneman, Dylan Schuett and Aidan Curran also lit the lamp for Northeast. Ignat Belov provided the only goal for Maine while Tyriq Outen made 30 saves in the loss.
Odessa 2 @ Shreveport 3 (OT) - Chris Hedden netted the overtime winner as the Mudbugs won their home opener 3-2 over the Odessa Jackalopes. Garrett Steele and Austin Brimmer netted the goals in regulation for Shreveport with Joe Mack and Sean Bunting picking up the assists. Cole Hudson stopped 31 shots to reach 5-0-1 on the season. Joey Musa and Charlie Banquier tickled the twine for Odessa while Connor Hasley made 21 saves.
Austin 1 @ Bismarck 5 - The Bismarck Bobcats got back into the win column as they dominated the Austin Bruins 5-1 on Friday night. Ryan Taylor and George Grannis got the scoring started for Bismarck in the first period. Lars Rodne and Luke Gramer added power play tallies in the second period before John Gormley added his second goal of the season early in the third period. Jens Richards got Austin on the board with just under four minutes to play. Tommy Aitken only needed to make 19 saves to pick up his second win of the year. Tyler Shea and Hudson Hodges teamed up to make 43 saves in the loss.
New Mexico 3 @ Lone Star 4 - A four goal outburst in the second period was all the Lone Star Brahmas needed as they outlasted the New Mexico Ice Wolves 4-3. Joey Baez had a goal and an assist while Malcolm Palmer, Matt MacDonald and Isaiah Thomas all scored for Lone Star. Rico Dimatteo needed just 14 saves to stay perfect on the year. Cole Hanson had a goal and an assist for New Mexico. Jack Bayless and Carter Batchelder also chipped in goals for the Ice Wolves. Beni Halasz made 25 saves in his NAHL debut for New Mexico.
