Friday Finals: Johnson's big game lead Ice Wolves to win
Northeast Generals goalie Toby Hopp made 35 saves in a 2-1 win on Opening Night.
Lone Star 1 @ New Mexico 5 – New Mexico’s Ryan Johnson had a hat-trick as the Ice Wolves dominated the Brahmas in the 5-1 win on Opening Night. New Mexico got off to a great start with two goals late in the 1st period from Graham Harris and Bryce Johnson. In the 2nd period, Johnson scored back-to-back goals to make it 4-0. In the 3rd period, Johnson added his hat-trick, while Ivan Zadvernyuk would score the lone goal for the Brahmas. Jackson Fuller made 26 saves in the win, while Deivs Rolovs made 21 saves in the loss.
Northeast 2 @ Maine 1 – Tyler Ramm and Jacob Wilson scored for the Generals and Toby Hopp made 35 saves as Northeast picked up a 2-1 road win in Maine on Opening Night. Maine forward Kellen Murphy, who committed to Army earlier in the day, scored the lone goal for the Nordiques and Thomas Heaney made 34 saves in the loss.
Johnstown 5 @ Maryland 1 – Five different players scored for the Tomahawks and Zack Ferris made 28 saves as Johnstown beat Maryland on Opening Night, 5-1. The Tomahawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Reid Lune and Taybor Aldrich, while Maryland answered with their lone goal from Matthew Croxall. In the 2nd period, Tomas Vicek scored to make it 3-1 and then Justin Gibson and Lukas Klemm scored in the 3rd period to make it a 5-1 final.
New Jersey 7 @ Danbury 6 (OT) – Seven different players scored for the Titans, including the overtime-winner from Johnny McMahon in a 7-6 win in Danbury. New Jersey jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the 1st period on goals from Ethan Wongus and Ryan Novo, while Jacob Roberson scored for Danbury. The Jr. Hat Tricks tied the game early in the 2nd period on a goal from Joey Mallozzi. New Jersey took a 5-2 lead into the lockerroom on goals from Leo Schwartz, Dominick Rivelli, and Ryan Friedman. In the 3rd period, Danbury got a goal from Chase Sandhu to make it 5-3, but New Jersey went back up by three on a goal from Kristofers Krumins. Danbury stormed back to tie the game at 6-6 with goals from Emerson Molas, Liam Varmecky, and another from Roberson. Zakari Brice made 20 saves in the win, while Ethan Farrow made 28 saves in the loss.
Fairbanks 4 @ Janesville 5 – The Jets came from behind to beat the Ice Dogs, 5-4. Hayden Zimmerman scored twice, which included the game-winning goal late in the 3rd period. The Jets led 1-0 after one period on a goal from Jackson Wagener. Fairbanks then scored three goals in the 2nd period from David Clarke, Sam Berry, and Lance Mengel, while Nick Sajevic scored for the Jets. The Ice Dogs took a 4-2 lead in the 3rd period on a goal from Cole Burke, but the Jets stormed back with goals from Hayden Kruse and two from Zimmerman. Pete Sterling made 36 saves in the win, while Tyler Krivtsov made 29 saves in the loss.
El Paso 3 @ Colorado 1 – Rhinos goalie Joey LoVullo made 21 saves as El Paso scored three goals in the 3rd period to spoil the Grit’s NAHL debut with a 3-1 win. The game was scoreless through two periods with LoVullo and Colorado goalie Max Lacroix keeping all the shots out. Colorado opened the scoring early in the 3rd period with their first ever goal from Andrew Jeffers. Lacroix was shaken up midway through the final period and the Rhinos took advantage with three goals late in the game from James Hooley III, Camden Bajzer, and Frank Tafelski to make it a 3-1 final.
Philadelphia 5 @ Rochester 4 – No box score available.
