Wildcats crowned Showcase Tournament champions
The Wichita Falls Wildcats were crowned champions of the eighth annual NAHL Showcase Tournament, sponsored by SBK Hockey, after finishing the event with a perfect 4-0 record.
Wichita Falls edged out the Topeka RoadRunners, who also finished with a 4-0 mark, in the total goal-differential tiebreaker.
Wildcats forward Sean Keane connected for two goals and Dakota Kiecha notched the game-winning marker as Wichita Falls edged the Wings, 4-3, in the final game of the Showcase. In goal, Tyler Green made 35 saves.
View the box score here.
Kiecha led the Wildcats in tournament scoring with four goals for seven points, followed by forward Stephen Fahlstedt, who tallied six points on two goals.
Goaltenders Eric Garavaglia (two wins), Green (one) and Brian Jones (one) all picked up wins between the pipes.
Texas Tornado 6 – Austin Bruins 4
Forwards Rock Einersen struck for a pair of goals and an assist and forward Jackson Leef chipped in a goal and an assist in the Tornado’s 6-4 triumph over the Bruins. Goaltender Jake Stafford made 14 saves.
View the box score here.
Michigan Warriors 6 – Owatonna Express 4
Forward Kevin Bechard tallied two goals, including the game-winner, as the Warriors downed the Express, 6-4. Brach Tiller steered aside 33 shots in goal.
View the box score here.
Amarillo Bulls 5 – St. Louis Bandits 3
Forwards Matt Johnson (game-winner) and Chris Cass each rang up a goal and an assist in the Bulls’ 5-3 victory over the Bandits. In net, Greg Lewis made 29 saves.
View the box score here.
Alexandria Blizzard 4 – New Mexico Mustangs 2
Forward Alex Altenbernd connected for two goals, including the game-winner, as the Blizzard doubled up the Mustangs, 4-2. Goaltender Alex Fons turned aside 24 shots.
View the box score here.
Topeka RoadRunners 3 – Janesville Jets 1
Forward Michael Hill scored two goals and Bill Coole put home the game-winner for Topeka in its 3-1 victory over Janesville. Between the pipes, Rasmus Tirronen made 20 saves.
View the box score here.
Wenatchee Wild 5 – Port Huron Fighting Falcons 3
Forward Blake Saylor struck for two goals and an assist and forward Eliot Grauer netted the game-winning marker (shorthanded) as the Wild downed the Fighting Falcons, 5-3. Netminder Marcuz Zelzer stopped 18 shots.
View the box score here.
Coulee Region Chill 6 - Kenai River Brown Bears 3
Forward Berkely Scott put home a pair of goals and assisted on forward Zac Frischmon’s game-winning marker in the Chill’s 6-3 triumph over Kenai River. Aaron Davis made 30 saves in goal.
View the box score here.
Motor City Metal Jackets 3 – Bismarck Bobcats 1
Forward Anthony Coles rang up two goals, including the game-winner, as the Metal Jackets downed the Bobcats, 3-1. Between the pipes, Gordon Ceasar steered aside 29 shots.
View the box score here.
Corpus Christi Ice Rays 4 – Dawson Creek Rage 3 (SO)
Three different players scored in regulation for the Ice Rays and Kevin Crowe scored the only goal of the shootout in Corpus Christi’s 4-3 victory over Dawson Creek. Goaltender Pheonix Copley made 23 saves in regulation and overtime and all five in the shootout.
View the box score here.
Fresno Monsters 4 – Springfield Jr. Blues 2
Four different players lit the lamp for the Monsters – forward Jordan Lovick notched a goal and an assist – as the Monsters doubled up the Jr. Blues, 4-2. Peter Megariotis stopped 24 shots in goal.
View the box score here.
Traverse City North Stars 5 – Alaska Avalanche 2
Forward Ryan Amin tallied two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in the North Stars’ 5-2 win over the Avalanche. Defenseman Travis White added three assists, and goaltender Peter Emery turned back 19 shots.
“There’s a pretty big difference, at least psychologically, between coming out of it (the Showcase) 3-1 rather than 2-2,” said Stars head coach Anthony Palumbo. “We had to win this game, period. After how we played at times on Friday, this was an important game to come away from with positive results.”
Fairbanks Ice Dogs 5 – Chicago Hitmen 0
Goaltender Steve Perry stopped all 26 shots he faced as the Ice Dogs blanked the Hitmen, 5-0. Defenseman John Stampohar (two goals) and forward Charlie Thauwald (goal, assist) each picked up two points in the win.
View the box score here.
