All series at 2-0 after top seeds win Game 2's
Cole Hudson has stopped 59 of 62 shots in the first two games of the South Finals, including a 27-save shutout on Saturday to give the Mudbugs a 2-0 series lead.
Central Division Finals, Game 2: Bismarck 1 @ Aberdeen 4 (Aberdeen leads series 2-0) - The Aberdeen Wings improved to 5-0 on home ice in the postseason as they took down the Bismarck Bobcats by a score of 4-1 in Game 2 of the Central Division Finals. Thomas Manty broke the ice for Aberdeen with his third tally of the playoffs. Not to be out done, Natan Vertes also scored his third goal of the postseason and that gave the Wings a 2-0 lead. That big lead wouldn’t even last a whole shift as Austin Schwartz got his club back to within one just 18 seconds later. The only goal of the second period was scored by Aberdeen’s Kyle Gaffney, it was his second of the playoffs and gave Aberdeen a 3-1 cushion. Gaffney would find the scoresheet again as he set up Nathan Mann for his first of the playoffs to make it a 4-1 game in favor of Aberdeen. Jake Sibell continued his strong play as he stopped 29 shots for his fifth win of the of the playoffs while Ian Shane turned aside 38 of 42 Aberdeen attempts.
South Division Finals, Game 2: Wichita Falls 0 @ Shreveport 2 (Shreveport leads series 2-0) - Cole Hudson was perfect as he stopped all 27 saves fired in his direction as the Shreveport Mudbugs blanked the Wichita Falls Warriors 2-0 and took a 2-0 series lead in the South Division Finals. Chris Hedden’s power play goal in the opening minutes of the second period proved to be the game winner. Dawson Sciarrino added insurance with his second tally of the playoffs but Hudson would not allow a single goal past him and the Mudbugs cruised to the shutout victory. Owen Bartoszkiewicz did all he could for his club as he made 38 saves in the loss for the Warriors.
East Division Finals, Game 2: Maryland 1 @ Maine 4 (Maine leads series 2-0) - Isaiah Fox and Cannon Green each registered a goal and an assist as the Maine Nordiques took home a 4-1 win over the Maryland Black Bears in Game 2 of the East Division Finals. With the win, the Nordiques are now just a win away from reaching their first Robertson Cup in team history. Fox broke the scoreless tie about seven and a half minutes into the second period with his first goal of the postseason. The Nordiques increased their lead when Patrick Schmiedlin finished off a pass from Reese Farrell with about five minutes remaining in the middle frame. Brad McNeil scored for the Black Bears with just under three minutes to play to make things interesting but Tristan Fasig and Green deposited goals in the empty net to secure the win. Tyriq Outen was nearly perfect again as he made 24 saves and has now allowed just two goals through the first two games of the series. Michael Morelli was good for the Black Bears as he allowed two goals on 23 Maine shots. The Nordiques can close out the series on Thursday in Maryland
Midwest Division Finals, Game 2: Kenai River 2 @ MN Magicians 7 (Minnesota leads series 2-0) - Lleyton Roed found the back of the net once and assisted on three other goals as the Minnesota Magicians blitzed the Kenai River Brown Bears 7-2 in Game 2 of the Midwest Division Finals. Devlin McCabe logged two goals and an assist of his own while Brett Oberle also found the back of the net twice. Gavin Best and Hunter Longhi each got on the scoresheet as well as with a goal and an assist. Andy Beran got the win in goal as he was able to make 26 saves. Theo Thrun and Brandon McNamara were the goal scorers for Kenai River while Luke Pavicich made 34 saves.
