Friday Finals: Maryland, Minot and Wisconsin Advance to Division Finals
Maryland, Minot and Wisconsin celebrate their series sweeps (Photo Credits: Top: Jacob McKee. Middle: James P. Harding. Bottom: Shelly Schmidt
Maine 1 @ Rochester 2 (OT) (East Division Semifinals, Maine Leads Series 2-1): The Rochester Jr. Americans took an overtime win over the Maine Nordiques in a 2-1 final. In the third period the action picked up with Laurent Trepanier scoring to get Maine on the board 1-0. Later in the period, Tyler Procious scored to even the game 1-1 forcing overtime. In the extra frame, Clay O’Donnell found the back of the net for a Maine win, 2-1. Maine netminder Carter Richardson stopped 37 of the 39 shots he faced in net for the win.
Maryland 3 @ New Jersey 1 (East Division Semifinals, Maryland Wins Series 3-0): The Maryland Black Bears completed a series sweep over the New Jersey Titans after winning 3-1. In the opening frame, Dimitry Kebreau started the scoring for the Black Bears to get on the scoresheet for a 1-0 score. In the second period, Luke Janus netted the second goal for the Black Bears to extend their lead, 2-0. In the third period, Dominik Bartecko added the lone New Jersey goal to make the score 2-1. Late in the game, Kebreau added the final goal and his second of the night for a 3-1 final. Maryland goalie Owen Lepak was fantastic as he turned away 27 shots in the win.
Wisconsin 3 @ Janesville 1 (Midwest Division Semifinals, Wisconsin Wins Series 3-0): The Wisconsin Windigo closed out their series against the Janesville Jets in a 3-1 win to move on to the Midwest Division Finals. In the first period, Max Martin and Everett Pietila scored for a 2-0 Wisconsin lead. In the second, Will Schumacher added to the Wisconsin lead, 3-0. Late in the middle period, Conner Brown scored for the Jets. Wisconsin netminder Max Beckford was in net stopping 27 shots on his way to a victory.
Minot 7 @ Austin 1 (Central Division Semifinals, Minot Wins Series 3-0): The Minot Minotauros took down the Austin Bruins in a 7-1 contest on their way to advancing to the Central Division Finals. In the opening period, Alex Laurenza scored for Austin and Joel Lehtinen scored for Minot, evened the game 1-1. In the second period it was all Minot with Ryan Jockims, Jack O’Hanisain, and Murray Marvin-Cordes scoring to extend the lead for a 4-1 score. In the third period, Minot kept on the attack with Joel Lehtinen, John Emmons and John Small to end the game for a final score of 7-1. Minot goaltender Brady James stopped 23 shots in the win.
Bismarck 2 @ Aberdeen 3 (Central Division Semifinals, Aberdeen Leads Series 2-1): The Aberdeen Wings defended home ice in a 3-2 win over the Bismarck Bobcats. Tommy Cronin added the lone goal in the first period for the Bobcats to get ahead 1-0. In the second, Weston Turner and Jibber Kuhl scored for the Wings to get the lead 2-1. In the third period, Jaker Peterson added a goal for the Bobcats to even the game 2-2. Later in the period, Simon Pollock netted the game-winning goal for a 3-2 Wings win. Aberdeen goaltender Adam Dybal turned away 34 shots in the win.
Anchorage 1 @ Minnesota 4 (Midwest Division Semifinals, Anchorage Leads Series 2-1): The Minnesota Wilderness took a 4-1 win over the Anchorage Wolverines. In the first period, Ren Morque got the Wilderness on the board for a 1-0 lead. In the second, the Wilderness extended their lead with Payton Nelson and Daniel Astapovich for a 3-0 lead. In the third, Astapovich added his second of the night, extending the Wilderness lead 4-0. Later in the game, Kade Shea netted the only Anchorage goal for a 4-1 final. Minnesota goalie Adam Prokop stopped 32 shots in the win.
Shreveport 3 @ El Paso 2 (South Division Semifinals, Shreveport Leads Series 2-1): The Shreveport Mudbugs edged the El Paso Rhinos by a score of 3-2. In the first period, Paavo Hiltunen got the Rhinos on the scoresheet for a 1-0 lead. Later in the period, Colin Vassallo added back-to-back goals to get the Mudbugs ahead 2-1. In the second period, Kyan Haldenby added to the Mudbugs lead, 3-1. In the third period, Jakub Jerman scored a late goal for the Rhinos as the game finished 3-2 final. Mudbugs goalie Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau stopped 22 shots in the win.
