Saturday Scores: Jr. Americans, Titans and Ice Wolves Advance to Division Semis
El Paso kept their season alive with an overtime goal from Eddie Shepler
Northeast 2 @ Rochester 3 (East Division Play-In Series, Rochester Wins 2-0): The Rochester Jr. Americans took game two of the play-in series against the Northeast Generals after winning 3-2. In the first period, Ryan Remick netted a late goal to get the Generals on the board for a 1-0 score. In the second, Luca Leighton scored to even the game 1-1 for Rochester. Soon after, Andrew DellaDonna netted a late goal for the Generals to get ahead again 2-1. With just two seconds to spare in the middle frame, Massimo Gentile evened the game again with a Rochester goal, 2-2. In the third period, Jaden Dyke scored to get the Jr. Americans on the scoresheet to solidify the win, 3-2. Rochester goalie Cole O’Donnell stopped 25 shots in net on his way to the victory.
New Jersey 4 @ Johnstown 1 (East Division Play-In Series, New Jersey Wins 2-0): The New Jersey Titans took care of business on the road in a 4-1 statement win over the Johnstown Tomahawks to win the play-in series matchup. In the opening period, New Jersey got on the board with a goal from Arhip Sidarovich for a 1-0 lead. In the second, Will Lawerence evened the game 1-1 for Johnstown. The third period belonged to the Titans with Ryan Novo, Dominick Rivelli and Dominik Bartecko all scoring for a 4-1 final.
Oklahoma 3 @ El Paso 4 (South Division Play-In Series, Series Tied 1-1): The El Paso Rhinos defeated the Oklahoma Warriors 4-3 in overtime to force Game 3 in the best-of-three series. Similar to Game 1, the Warriors opened up the scoring in the first period off a goal by Geno McEnery, his third of the series. The second period was a scoring frenzy, as four total goals were scored. Oklahoma’s Anthony Cafarelli put the Warriors up 2-0 before the Rhinos answered with 3 quick goals to wrap up the period by Frank Tafelski, Medrick Bolduc and Gingher, making it a 3-2 game after 40 minutes. Sebastian Speck of the Warriors netted the lone goal of the third period, tying things up to force overtime. With their backs against the wall, NAHL veteran Eddie Shepler became the hero for El Paso scoring the game winner in sudden-death overtime. Daniel Duris turned away 28 of the 32 shots for the win, while Michael Manzi made 29 of 32 saves.
Austin 0 @ St. Cloud 3: Ryan Manzella stopped all 24 shots he faced to secure a shutout in St. Cloud’s 3-0 victory over the Bruins. The game remained scoreless until three minutes into the final frame when Michael Coleman found the back of the net. Wes Berg and Wyatt Wurst also added goals to the scoresheet, Wurst picking him his 1st of the season. Vilgot Holm made 18 saves in the victory.
Aberdeen 3 @ North Iowa 2: The Wings got their offense rolling quickly and edged past North Iowa 3-2 to secure the series sweep. Ryan Flaherty and Jibber Kuhl tickled twine for Aberdeen in the 1st while Charles Beland kept out a one-goal game. Hayden Siegel leveled the scores for North Iowa 1:09 into the 2nd period. Salvatore Collora found the back of the net later in the middle frame which turned out to be the eventual game-winning goal. Croix Kochendorfer made 24 saves for the Wings while Connor Graham stopped 28 shots for North Iowa.
Bismarck 5 @ Minot 2: The Bobcats continued their winning ways, taking down the Minotauros 5-2 and securing the weekend sweep. Kai Dunits put Bismarck up 1-0 through 20 minutes of play with a goal. Jack O’Hanisain tallied a pair of goals for Minot in the middle frame while Mathieu Bourgault and Tommy Cronin sustained the visitors' lead with scores. Kade Kohanski and Kyle Doll both found the back of the net in the 3rd to provide insurance and seal the win. Stephen peck kept out 27 shots in the victory while Lukas Swedin made 23 stops for the Minotauros.
Minnesota 2 @ Springfield 5: Five different Jr. Blues found the back of the net as Springfield took down the Minnesota Wilderness in their season finale. Landry Schmuck and Alex Fendler scored to put the Jr. Blues ahead after 20 minutes. Hadley Hudak and Aidan Dyer added to the lead in the second while Anthony Ruklic added a goal in the third. Joe Cesario and Daniel Astapovich netted the goals for Minnesota. Matt Schoephoerster earned the win in goal while Adam Prokop was stuck with the loss.
Anchorage 4 @ Fairbanks 5 (SO): The Fairbanks Ice Dogs closed out their regular season with a shootout win over the Anchorage Wolverines, scoring a 5-4 win on Saturday night. Tyler Henninger and Timothy Kim put Anchorage up 2-0 after 20 minutes. Wyatt Carlson and Jackson Stimple traded goals before Chris Hodges and Gage Leonard scored just a couple minutes apart to tie the game once again. Kade Shea put the Wolverines ahead in the third but Luca Ricciardi score with just seconds remaining to force overtime. It would go to a shootout where Ricciardi would scored the only goal of the skills competition and the Ice Dogs would skate away with the win. Tyler Krivtsov earned the win in the final game as he finished with 32 stops. Vaughn Makar was saddled with the loss as he made 40 saves.
