Friday Finals: Minot closes in on playoff spot with shutout
Bismarck 0 @ Minot 2 – Ryan Ruck stopped all 40 shots that came his way for his second shutout of the season as the Minotauros crept closer to securing the 4th and final playoff spot in the Central Division with a 2-0 shutout win over Bismarck on Friday. After the teams went scoreless in the 1st period, Cody Milligan scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 2nd period. Lucas Oliver added a 3rd period tally to put the game on ice for Minot. Boxscore
Wichita Falls 4 @ Topeka 1 – Three, 2nd period goals and 20 saves from Evan Cowley were the different as the Wildcats picked up a big 4-1 road win in Topeka, snapping the RoadRunners seven-game winning streak. Tyler Andrew scored first for the RoadRunners, but it was all Wildcats after that. Eliot Grauer, Patrick Yudez and Colin Staub scored within an eight minute span in the 2nd period and George Pagonis added a 3rd period goal in the win. Tyler Ledford added two assists in the win. Boxscore
Aberdeen 1 @ Austin 0 – It was the Zach Naglevoort show in Austin on Friday night as the 19-year-old from Holland, Michigan made 32 saves to pick up his first shutout of the season as the Wings blanked the 1st place Bruins, 1-0. It was just the second time all season that the high-powered Bruins offense had been shutout. Jordan Heller had the lone goal for Aberdeen, which came on the power play in the 2nd period with assists to Steven Johnson and Justin Parizek. Boxscore
Fairbanks 3 @ Kenai River 2 – In a potential first round playoff preview, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs picked up their first win of the season in Kenai River as they beat the Brown Bears on Friday night, 3-2. Fairbanks scored the last three goals of the game. Things were looking good for Kenai River just nine minutes into the game as they scored twice on goals from Alex Jackstadt and Mikhail Bushinski to take a 2-0 lead. However, Fairbanks responded with three straight goals from Colton Wolter, Devin Loe and Kyle Lee to pick up the close win. Boxscore
Jamestown 4 @ Michigan 3 – Tyler Dunagan and Dylan Zink each had a goal and an assist to lead the Ironmen to a 4-3 come-from-behind win against the Warriors on Friday. Jamestown scored three goals in the 3rd period on their way to the win. Goals by Colin Larkin and Connor Lyons put Michigan ahead 2-1 after two periods. Matt Lanzillotti had the lone goal for Jamestown. However, Zink, Dunagan and Evan Ritt scored in the 3rd period, while Zack Szajner had the lone Michigan goal in the final frame. Boxscore
Janesville 3 @ Coulee Region 1 – In the battle of Wisconsin, it was Brock Kautz making 32 saves to lead the Jets to a 3-1 win in Coulee Region against the Chill. The two teams traded goals in the 1st period as Garrett Hendrickson scored first for the Chill, while Todd Koritzinsky answered for the Jets. Daniel Kucerovy scored a 2nd period power play goal that put the Jets ahead for good and Zach Diamantoni added a 3rd period shorthanded goal to put the game away. Tim Shaughnessy made 30 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Johnstown 4 @ Springfield 2 – Four different players scored for the Tomahawks as they moved closer to securing a playoff berth by doubling up the Jr. Blues in Springfield. In the 1st period, Brett Skibba opened the scoring for the Jr. Blues, while Jordan Watt scored for Johnstown. Cody Boyd and Mitch Kontny added 2nd period goals and Ian Spencer scored a 3rd period power play goal as the Tomahawks scored four goals on just 20 shots. Ryan Atkinson had the other goal for Springfield. Boxscore
Amarillo 6 @ Odessa 1 – Five different players had multi-point nights as the Bulls moved closer to securing a division title with a 6-1 win in Odessa. The Bulls allowed just 15 shots on goal the entire game and jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st period on goals from TJ Sherman, John Rey and Tyler Deresky. Gage Christianson added a 2nd period goal and Deresky would add his second goal of the game in the 3rd period along with Mike Davis. Anthony Olguin had the lone goal for Odessa. Boxscore
