Friday Finals: Fairbanks Continues Strong Play
by Noah Radomski
Fairbanks has points in 10 of their last 11 games while the Jr. Americans jumped into first place with a victory over Elmira
New Jersey 5 @ Northeast 2 - Despite finding themselves down early, the New Jersey Titans rallied back to defeat the Northeast Generals 5-2 Friday night. Jake Gutwirth got the action rolling, as he lit the lamp to give the Generals the lone goal of the opening period. From there, the Titans scored a pair in the second, courtesy of Jack Hillier and Ryan Novo. Owen Leahy extended the lead for New Jersey, before John Halverson put Northeast back within one. It didn’t take long, however, for the Titans to seal the deal, as Jack Roberts and Leahy saw shots hit the back of the net, as New Jersey hung on for the win. Charlie Mistretta was excellent in the crease, padding aside 34/36 in the victory.
Rochester 5 @ Elmira 0 - The Rochester Jr. Americans emerged victorious Friday night, blanking the Elmira Aviators 5-0. Calle Karlsson scored in the opening minutes of the first, before Owen King would put the Jr. Americans up by a pair. From there, Liam Chapman and Hugo Branthsson each lit the lamp in the second period. Owen King would put the final notch in the game, as his goal halfway through the third sealed the win for Rochester. Despite only facing 18 shots on net, Danick Leroux stopped all of them to earn the shutout.
New Hampshire 3 @ Maine 0 - The New Hampshire Mountain Kings capitalized on the powerplay and never looked back, as they defeated the Maine Nordiques 3-0. Tommy McDonough netted one on the powerplay, before Oli Genest’s 23rd of the year hit the back of the net to put the Mountain Kings up by a pair. Following a scoreless second, New Hampshire sealed the deal late in the third, thanks to an empty net goal from Michael Solominsky. Goaltender Sam Caufield was perfect in net, padding away all 38 shots faced to earn the shutout.
Johnstown 1 @ Maryland 4 - The Maryland Black Bears triumphed over the Johnstown Tomahawks Friday night, outshooting them 43-14 en route to a 4-1 victory. The first period saw a lot of action, first with Maryland going up by a pair, thanks to goals from Josh Frenette and Thomas Holtby. However, Cullen Emery cut the lead in half late for Johnstown. After a scoreless second, it was all Maryland to seal the deal. Kareen El Bashir and Tyler Stern each lit the lamp late in the third, not allowing the Tomahawks to sniff a comeback. The Black Bears hung onto the win, backed by Benji Motew in the crease. Despite the loss, Zack Ferris has 39 saves in net.
Chippewa 1 @ Wisconsin 4 - The Wisconsin Windigo took charge to defeat the Chippewa Steel 4-1 Friday night. Following a scoreless opening period, Jordan Brothers connected on a shot to give Wisconsin the lead. It wouldn’t be long, however, for Zach Sondreal to tie the game up for Chippewa. Later in the period, Zachary Cline scored would wind up being the game winning goal for Wisconsin to give them back the lead. Cline and Riley Joslin would seal the deal for the Windigo with a pair of goals late in the third, as Wisconsin would hang on for the win. Lucas Szyszka was outstanding in net, stopping 30/31 victory.
New Mexico 4 @ Oklahoma 5 (SO) - In a true barnburner, the Oklahoma Warriors narrowly took down the New Mexico Ice Wolves in overtime. The Warriors got off to a commanding lead, thanks to a trio of goals from Ben Likeness, Ethan Gonyeau, and Trent Burlison. However, the Ice Wolves were quick to answer back with three straight goals of their own. Tanner George, Jace Erickson, and Ethan Hull all lit the lamp to even the playing field. In the third, Brendan Schooley broke the tie, giving Oklahoma back the lead. It wouldn’t be for long, as Nayan Pai netted one to put the teams at four apiece. Travis Bryson netted the game winning goal in the skills competition to give the Warriors a thrilling shootout victory.
Austin 4 @ Minnesota M 5 (SO) - Despite getting outshot 51 to 20, the Minnesota Mallards capitalized on key opportunities to defeat the Austin Bruins 5-4 in overtime. Jameson O’Flynn got Minnesota on the board, just 32-seconds into the opening frame. It wouldn’t be long, however, as EJ Paddington’s 13th of the season would tie the game for Austin. Brady Borgestad and Willian McDonald then lit the lamp just 25-seconds apart to give the Mallards a 3-1 lead to close out the period. From there, Alex Laurenza and Jackson Rilei quickly tied the game for the Bruins to open the second. Mark DeNoyer regained the lead midway through, with Minnesota up 4-3 heading into the final period of regulation. Just 10 seconds in, Jacksom Rilei seized the moment and evened the score for the Bruins. In overtime, the Mallards locked in and hit the back of the net late to emerge victorious.
Minnesota W 3 @ Springfield 4 - The Springfield Jr. Blues narrowly edged the Minnesota Wilderness 4-3 Friday night. Logan Sutton opened the game’s scoring for the Jr. Blues, before Zach Homer evened the score for the Wilderness. Connor Broadhead then gave the lead for Springfield; however, Thomas Manzella tied it up at two apiece. The Jr. Blues took command midway through the third, as a pair of goals from Niko Laus and Jagur McClelland gave them the upper edge. Despite a late comeback attempt from Jakeb Lynch, Minnesota fell just short as Springfield held on for the 4-3 win.
Bismarck 5 @ Aberdeen 3 - The Bismarck Bobcats continued their winning ways as they knocked off the Aberdeen Wings 5-3. Grant Winkler started the scoring with his first of the season. It was countered by back-to-back goals from Ian Engel and Jakub Kopecky for Bismarck. Aberdeen would take the lead before the intermission as Jack McDonough and Leonid Bulgakov netted goals 61 seconds apart. In the second, Chase Reid scored to even the game at three. In the third, Matthew Rafalski and Drew Roelofs lit the lamp to lift Bismarck to victory. Tomas Anderson was the winner in goal as he stopped 33 shots. Willum Braun suffered the loss as he denied 25 of 29 chances.
Shreveport 2 @ Odessa 5 - The Odessa Jackalopes picked up the victory on Friday night as the defeated the Shreveport Mudbugs 5-2. After a scoreless opening period, Nick Metelkin scored 49 seconds into the second. Then later in the frame, the scoring really picked up as Marcus Fechko scored to increase the Odessa lead. Just two minutes later, Lucas Deeb netted his eighth of the season to get Shreveport on the board. Two minutes after that the Mudbugs tied up the game as Brent Litchard scored his fifth. Just over a minute later Jack L’Esperance completed the scoring marathon to put the Jackalopes up 3-2. In the final period Kowin Belsterling added some insurance for Odessa before Austin Richards chipped in an empty net goal to put home the dagger. William Karphed needed just 17 saves to earn the win in goal. Aden Gariepy was given the loss as he stopped 32 shots.
El Paso 3 @ Lone Star 0 - Michael Manzi was perfect, stopping all 26 shots fired toward him as the El Paso Rhinos shutout the defending Robertson Cup champion Lone Star Brahmas. Ty Gordon scored just 3:54 into the contest to put El Paso ahead. A.J. Reed scored in the dying seconds of the period to give El Paso a 2-0 lead after 20. Kyle Arias put the puck in the back of the net early in the second period to give the Rhinos a 3-0 advantage. After that, Manzi took over and kept the Lone Star offense at bay. Jack Spicer and Jack Cameron teamed up to stop 24 shots for Lone Star.
Watertown 2 @ Minot 5 - Five different players scored for Minot as the Minotauros were victorious over the Shamrocks 5-2. Jesse Juhola scored a goal and added two assists while Murray Marvin-Cordes had three helpers. Davin Nichols and Ian Spencer each had a goal and an assist in the victory. Billy Batten and Jack Edwards also got on the scoresheet for Minot. Ryan Gincher and Owen Chartier were the goalscorers for the Shamrocks. Will Mizenko had a busy night as he finished the evening with 42 saves. Phileas Lachat was dealt the loss in goal as he stopped 31 shots.
Amarillo 2 @ Colorado 3 - The Colorado Grit held off the Amarillo Wranglers comeback as they took home a 3-2 win on Friday night. Alec Babineau scored his first of the year and it was followed up by Evan Smutney’s second of the season to give Colorado a 2-0 lead after the first period. Alexander German scored five minutes into the second period to increase the Colorado lead. Then Amarillo got going as Salvatore Cerrato and Trace Day pulled the Wranglers within one heading into the third. That was when Jack Erickson really turned it on as he made 13 of his 35 saves in the final 20 minutes to pick up his fourth win of the season. Charles-Antoine Girard was the loser in goal as he ended the night with 25 saves.
Kenai River 1 @ Fairbanks 3 - The Fairbanks Ice Dogs kept their hot streak rolling as they beat the Kenai River Brown Bears by a score of 3-1. Aidan Bergner picked up his third goal of the season as he gave the Ice Dogs the first lead of the game. Brady Engelkes needed just 39 seconds into the second period to tie the game at one. Wyatt Carlson netted a goal later in the second period to put Fairbanks out in front again. Adam Timm added insurance for the Ice Dogs with his 10th goal of the year. Charlie Menard was the winner in goal as he was nearly perfect, stopping 25 of 26 shots. Mitchell McCusker finished the night with 11 saves for the Brown Bears.
