Friday Finals: Ice Dogs extend winning streak to widen lead
Central Stars: Minot forward Zack Simon (above) had two goals in a 4-1 win on Friday to help the Minotauros into a 1st place tie in the Central, while St. Cloud forward Blake Perbix (below) scored twice in a 5-1 win to extend the Norsemen winning streak to three.
Fairbanks 7 @ Chippewa 2 – Billy Renfrew’s hat trick performance gave Fairbanks the edge over Chippewa 7-2 to extend their win streak to five games. Alexander Malinowski compiled five points on the evening as he contributed a pair of goals for the Fairbanks offense and was credited with assists on all three Renfrew tallies. Dakota MacIntosh and Jake Hale also added to the scoreboard for the Ice Dogs. Chippewa goals came off the sticks of Ryan Remick and Joe Kelly who upped his scoring streak to seven games. Kayden Hargraves made 31 stops to secure his thirteenth win of the season in net for Fairbanks. Zach Hansen did all he could saving 25 of 32 in the Steel loss.
Minot 4 @ Aberdeen 1 – Zack Simon potted a pair of goals as the Minot Minotauros took down the Aberdeen Wings 4-1 on Friday night. Connor McGrath and David Nesburg each registered a goal and an assist for Minot in the victory. Carter Clafton was sensational as he denied 38 of 39 shots fired in his direction. Seamus Campbell logged the only goal of the night for Aberdeen while Dominik Wasik stopped 26 shots in the loss.
St. Cloud 5 @ MN Wilderness 1 – Tomas Bolo was nearly perfect between the pipes stopping 19 of 20 shots to lead St.Cloud to a 5-1 victory against the Wilderness. Blake Perbix and Blake Mesenburg each fired one past the goalie in the first twenty minutes of play. Duke Kiffin and Blake Perbix got the Norsemen some insurance goals in the second period. Brandon Lajoie continued the momentum as he found the back of the net for the tenth time this season to post the final St.Cloud goal early in the third. Cole Crusberg-Roseen added a tally to the scoreboard for Wilderness with just over six minutes remaining in the contest. Graham Burke and Jacob Zacharewicz teamed up to make 29 saves in the Wilderness loss.
Amarillo 5 @ Corpus Christi 1 – Amarillo ended the game with a three goal run allowing them to post a 5-1 final against Corpus Christi on opposing ice. Nikolas Campbell and Kristaps Skrastins tickled the twine in the opening period to give the Wranglers the early lead. Dominic Foglia claimed the solo IceRays tally 3:36 into the second frame but Amarillo answered with three insurance goals – two off the stick of Dominic Schimizzi and another from Glebs Prohorenkovs – to close out the game. Max Gutjahr was strong from the crease for the Wranglers making 42 saves to earn the victory. Damon Beaver stopped 20 of 24 to take the loss in goal for Corpus Christi.
New Jersey 3 @ Johnstown 1 – The Titans kept a hold of their position atop the East Division standings by way of a 3-1 victory over Johnstown on Friday evening. Jake Black scored the lone Johnstown goal with just 32 seconds remaining in the opening period of play. New Jersey answered with three straight goals off the sticks of Brandon Avezov, Anthony Calafiore, and Tommy Bannister. David Posma picked up an assist on all of the Titans tallies. Andrew Takacs was dominant from the blue paint saving 26 of 27 shots for New Jersey. On the other end of the ice, Salvatore Evola did all he could in goal for the Tomahawks with 26 stops.
Jamestown 3 @ Maine 2 (OT) – John Lundy struck 2:11 minutes into the extra frame with help from Joseph Calvarino and Roux Bazin to lift Jamestown over Maine by a score of 3-2 . Maine broke the ice to open the scoring with back-to-back goals in the second period as Nicholas Bernardo and Theo Thurn capitalized on chances. Jak Vaarwerk scored his fifth of the season with just 56 seconds to go in the middle frame to bring the Rebels within one. Just over two minutes into the final period, Mitch Lafay lit the lamp to tie it up and force overtime. Nolan Suggs claimed the win between the pipes for Jamestown, turning aside 39 shots. Jamestown keeper Avery Sturtz skated away with the loss despite stopping 41 opposing shots.
Maryland 5 @ Danbury 4 – Five different Maryland skaters contributed to the offensive efforts to seal a 5-4 win in a tight battle against Danbury on the road. Brayden Piku recorded three points on the evening for the Black Bears with his thirteenth goal on the season and a pair of assists. Matthew Davies, Tyler Young, and Kevin Scott also found the back of the net for Maryland. Luka Sukovic, Jake Hoawrd, Andrew Eberling, and Mike Salandra each added tallies for Danbury. Luca Di Pasquo continued his winning ways in goal for Maryland stopping 23 shots fired his direction. Danbury net minder Adam Johnson scooped up 31 saves in a losing effort.
Bismarck 4 @ Austin 5 (SO) – After a scoreless overtime, it was Anthony Menghini who broke the tie in the shootout to give Austin the advantage over visiting Bismarck 5-4. Anthony Menghini also tickled the twine 6:48 after puck drop with help from Jens Richards to open scoring for Austin, but Patrick Johnson responded with a score of his own for Bismarck. Sutter Muzzati and Nick Calatano netted back-to-back Austin goals to regain the lead, and Jon Ziskie answered to bring the Bobcats back within one. Damon Furuseth lit the lamp for the Bruins to continue the scoring in the second frame, but Bismark ended on a two goal push thanks to Drew Holt and Jon Ziskie to end regulation in a draw. Klayton Kapp was stellar from behind the crease going 20 of 24 for Austin in the victory.
New Mexico 2 @ Odessa 4 – Odessa doubled up New Mexico 4-2 on home ice behind a pair of goals from Ryan Mansfield who scored the lone first period tally and struck again with just 44 seconds of play remaining. Tanyon Bajzer netted a tally for Odessa at the 7:10 mark of the middle frame, but New Mexico answered with goals from Brayden and Mitchell Becker just shy of five minutes apart in the second period. Rookie Nick Ahern lit the lamp for the first time for the Jackalopes with help from Christopher Duclair and Charlie Banquier. William Proctor gathered 26 of 28 in front of the net for Odessa in the victory, while New Mexico tender Beni Halasz made 34 stops in the defeat.
Springfield 3 @ North Iowa 4 (OT) – Dylan Gajewski went coast-to-coast a wired a shot past Aksel Reid as the North Iowa Bulls snapped their four game losing streak with a 4-3 thriller over the Springfield Jr. Blues. The game winner capped off a hat trick for Gajewski who finished the game with four points. Sean Vlasich was the other goal scorer for North Iowa as he netted his third of the season. Hagen Moe brought Springfield even with two goals in just under three minutes after the Jr. Blues got behind 3-1 midway through the third. Issac Novak also netted a goal for Springfield. Hunter Garvey got the win in goal as he made 21 stops. Reid was the dealt the loss as he made 27 saves.
Wichita Falls 2 @ Lone Star 3 – Two third period goals by the Lone Star Brahmas propelled them to a 3-2 win over the Wichita Falls Warriors. After Ryan Robinson and Artur Turanksy traded goals early in the second period, Riley Brueck scored his ninth of the season to give the Warriors the lead heading into the break. Blake Benson and Kyle Furey lit the lamp in the third to give Lone Star a crucial two points in the standings. Jan Skorpik got the win in between the pipes as he made 18 saves. Daniel Duries was given the loss as he made 21 saves.
Shreveport 4 @ El Paso 2 – Davis Goukler’s two points helped lead the Shreveport Mudbugs to a 4-2 win over the El Paso Rhinos. Tyler Behl knocked home his first of the season while Timofei Khokhlachev and Austin Brummer each tallied a goal in the win for the Mudbugs. Donovan O’Neill and Matt Johnson lit the lamp for the Rhinos. Devon Bobak remained hot was her allowed just two goals on 24 opportunities. Lassi Lethi stopped 27 shots for El Paso.
Kenai River 3 @ Anchorage 2 (OT) – Carter Green scored 44 seconds into overtime as the Kenai River Brown Bears edged the Anchorage Wolverines 3-2. Campbell Cichosz got the scoring started with a power play tally early in the second period. Bryce Monrean tied the game up midway through the middle frame with his fourth of the year. Anchorage grabbed thee lead back with another power play goal, this one coming off the stick of Joey Moffatt. Kaden Hjlem’s second of the year tied the game at two with just 3:08 remaining and that set up Green’s overtime winner. Bryant Marks was the winner in the blue paint, he stopped 23 shots. Raythan Robbins was stuck with the loss, he made 24 saves.
