Wings and Mudbugs sweep their way to Championship Game
Shreveport forward Braiden Dorfman had two goals in a 5-1 win in Game 2, sending the Mudbugs the title game on Tuesday.
Robertson Cup Semi-Finals, Game 2: Aberdeen Wings 2 vs. Minnesota Magicians 1 (Aberdeen wins series, 2-0) – Thanks to a goal from forward Kyle Gaffney with just over a minute remaining in regulation, the Aberdeen Wings punched their ticket to the Robertson Cup National Championship Game on Tuesday thanks to a 2-1 win in Game 2 on Saturday night, sweeping the Semi-Final series, 2 games to 0. It didn’t take long for the scoring to begin as less than a minute into the contest, a shot from the point was deflected in by Wings forward Natan Vertes for his third goal of the series and a 1-0 Wings lead. The Magicians struck back four minutes later to tie the game at 1-1 as Hunter Longhi converted on a 2-on-1 after a Wings turnover for his second goal of the series. The 2nd period was a goaltending duel between Wings goalie Jake Sibell (10 saves) and Magicians goalie Andy Beran (11 saves), who both kept their respective teams in the contest with a scoreless period. The outstanding goaltending continued in the 3rd period. Late in the 3rd period with just over a minute remaining in regulation, Wings forward Payton Matsui had a wrap-around attempt that was saved by Beran, but the rebound came right to Kyle Gaffney, who poked home the game-winner. Sibell earned 1st star honors with 18 saves on 19 shots, while Beran earned 2nd star honors with 30 saves on 32 shots. With the win, the Wings advance to the Robertson Cup National Championship Game on Tuesday, June 22nd at 7pm.
Robertson Cup Semi-Finals, Game 2: Shreveport Mudbugs 5 vs. Maine Nordiques 1 (Shreveport wins series, 2-0) – It was a dominating performance from the Shreveport Mudbugs as they beat the Maine Nordiques 5-1 in Game 2 of their Semi-Final series to advance to the Robertson Cup Championship game with a 2-0 series sweep. The Mudbugs dominated the 1st period, outshooting the Nordiques 13-3 and picking up a pair of goals from leading scorer Braiden Dorfman. The South Division’s Most Valuable Player scored twice in less than a five-minute span, picking up a pair of goals on loose rebounds to make it 2-0 in the 1st period. The lead increased to 3-0 for the Mudbugs in the 2nd period as Billy Feczko scored his third goal of the playoffs thanks to a power play goal off a face-off win. Right before the end of the period, a face-off win and blast from the point from Mudbugs defenseman David Breazeale snuck through the equipment of Maine goalie Tyriq Outen for a 4-0 ‘Bugs lead after two periods. In the 3rd period, the Nordiques got on the board thanks to an early power play opportunity as leading scorer Stefan Owens fired home a wrist shot from the face-off dot to make it 4-1. The Mudbugs would put the game away later in the 3rd period as forward Dawson Sciarrino dangled his way through three players and beat Outen for a 5-1 lead and final. Mudbugs goalie Cole Hudon improved his playoff record to a perfect 8-0 as he stopped 19 of 20 shots in the win. Outen made 33 saves in the loss. With the win the Mudbugs advance to the Robertson Cup National Championship Game to take on the Aberdeen Wings on Tuesday, June 22nd at 7pm.
