Friday Finals: Rochester Punches Postseason Ticket

Maryland 2 @ Elmira 0 - The Maryland Black Bears tabbed their 30th win of the season, defeating the Elmira Aviators 2-0. Forwards Isac Nielsen and Kareem El Bashir slapped in the two goals for the Black Bears. It was Nielsen's 18th and El Bashir's 16th of the season. In the net for the Black Bears was Marko Bilic, who recorded his third shutout of the season and just his fifth win. The Black Bears sit three points back from first place in the East Division behind the Rochester Jr Americans, who have already clinched a postseason position.

Philadelphia 4 @ Northeast 6 - The Philadelphia Rebels were up 4-1 early in the third period, but five unanswered goals by the Northeast Generals completely flipped the script. Northeast forward Jaden Sikura led the way for the Generals, scoring one goal and assisting two others. The incredible comeback win ends a seven game losing streak for the Generals. The last time Northeast won, the team was 17-17, but now they are stuck in seventh place in the East Division, six games below .500.

New Jersey 5 @ Danbury 2 - Two goals from forward Ryan Novo helped the New Jersey Titans extend their winning streak to four, beating the Danbury Hat Tricks 5-2. Danbury had four more shots on goal than the New Jersey with 30, but were stifled by goalie Austin McNicholas who earned his 17th win of the season. New Jersey currently holds the fourth-place spot in the East Division with 56 points.

Johnstown 1 @ Maine 3 - There were eleven power play opportunities between the Johnstown Tomahawks and Maine Nordiques, but neither squad capitalized. Johnstown had six, and Maine had five, but all 11 were killed. Scoring for the Nordiques came from forwards Connor McNaughton, Michael Stenberg, and defenseman Luke Chappelle. The win is Maine's fourth in a row and has them rank third in the East Division, just one point behind the second-place Maryland Black Bears.

New Hampshire 2 @ Rochester 6 - Forwards Calle Karlsson and Landon Brownlee each scored a pair of goals for the Rochester Jr Americans in their 6-2 rout over the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. The Jr. Americans, who hold first place in the East Division, had plenty of opportunities to score in the win. The Jr Americans went 2 for 10 in power plays and had 34 shots on goal, 15 more than the Mountain Kings. It was the third win in a row for Rochester, who clinched a playoff berth with the victory.

Minnesota M 0 @ St. Cloud 3 - The St. Cloud Norseman scored a goal in each period of their 3-0 shutout win over the Minnesota Mallards, coming from forwards Bronson Hunt, Sam Crane, and Tyler Wishart. The shutout was earned by St. Cloud goalie Beck Liden, his fifth of the season. The five shutouts by Liden rank as the second most in the league by a goalie this season. St. Cloud sits in fourth place in the Central Division with 50 points, while Minnesota is last and has lost seven in a row.

Corpus Christi 3 @ Oklahoma 2 - Forward Carter Krenke scored two goals in the Corpus Christi IceRays' 3-2 win over the Oklahoma Warriors, extending the Warriors' losing streak to eight games in a row. The game was close throughout; the IceRays only had just two more shots on goal than the Warriors. Corpus Christ had 27 and Oklahoma had 25. However, the Warriors missed out on each of their five power play opportunities. The IceRays sit in third place in the South Division with 61 points and are one victory away from their 30th win of the season.

Springfield 0 @ Wisconsin 4 - The Midwest Division-leading Wisconsin Windigo shut out their second consecutive opponent, beating the Springfield Jr. Blues 4-0. Wisconsin forward Hunter Hayes slapped across two goals in the victory, increasing his season goal total to 17 and Wisconsin goalie Lucas Szyszka earned his fifth shutout of the season. Szyszka now has the third most wins in the league with 22. The five shutouts by Szyszka rank as the second most in the league by a goalie this season. It was the second loss in a row the Jr. Blues have suffered, keeping them in fifth place in the Midwest Division with 44 points alongside the Minnesota Wilderness.

Minot 2 @ Watertown 5 - The Watertown Shamrocks snagged an upset against the Minot Minotaros, coming back from a 2-1 first period deficit to win 5-2. The Minotauros, who are second in the Central Division, had nine more shots on goal than the seventh-place Shamrocks but were stunted by Watertown goalie Mason Gurdridge, who saved 31 of 33 shots. Each of the five goals Watertown in the contest came from a different skater. The first two were assisted by forward Zach Boren. 

Anchorage 2 @ Chippewa 5 - Two premier teams would face off on Friday night, with Chippewa lighting the lamp first, as Tomas Trunda would find the back of the net to give the Steel the lead. Early in the second, Aaron VanWie would tie the game on the powerplay, but seconds later, Connor Jalbert would regain the Chippewa lead. Tomas Trunda and Ryder McIntosh would extend the lead late in the second, giving Chippewa a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes. Landon Greenough would cut the lead early in the third, but the Wolverines would be unable to find any offense. An empty netter from Jacob Ligi would seal it, capping off Devin Shakar's 33-save victory.

Fairbanks 5 @ Janesville 2 - Fairbanks would be stellar on the man advantage, as they would get started with a powerplay goal from Adam Timm. In the second, they would extend their lead with yet another powerplay goal, this time from Wyatt Carlson. Kyle Rohrer would also find the back of the net, but not on the powerplay. A pair of goals from Grady Magner and Trevor Aberwald would cut the Ice Dogs' lead to only one late in the third. Luc Plante would strike again on the Anchorage powerplay and an empty netter from Carlson would put this one away. Charlie Menard would stop 37 of 39 shots en route to a victory.

Austin 3 @ North Iowa 0 - The Bruins would go perfect on the man advantage in the first period, as they would convert on both attempts, with goals coming from Jackson Rilei and Alex Laurenza. The second would go scoreless, then an empty netter from Connor Beckwith would put this one out of reach. Jack Solomon would pick up the shutout on Friday, making 31 saves.

Aberdeen 1 @ Bismarck 4 - Evan Hunter would get this game going early, as he would put the Bobcats up early. Tommy Cronin would strike again for Bismarck, as they would have a two-goal lead heading into the intermission. Owen Pitters would score early for Aberdeen, cutting the lead in half. This would change quickly, as Keanu Krenn would convert on the powerplay to regain the two-goal lead and Hunter would grab his second of the game. There would be no scoring in the third, sealing the Bismarck victory.

Kenai River 3 @ Minnesota W 4 (OT) - This game would be full of lead changes, as Wes Berg would strike first for the Brown Bears, not before Zach Homer would respond. In the second, Olle Karlsson would score to give Minnesota the lead. Thomas Gunderson would have other plans, as he would score to tie the game. Heading into the third, it was tied, but quickly into the final frame, Noah Dziver would score to give Minnesota the lead again. Kenai River would have a response, with Colten Nestler providing the goal. This game would head into overtime, with Frantisek Netusi sending the fans home happy, giving Minnesota the win in a tight matchup on Friday night.

Odessa 5 @ New Mexico 2 - It would take a bit for the first goal of the game, but Marcus Fechko would light the lamp late in the first. This would be the only scoring of the first, but New Mexico would take the lead with goals from Toivo Laaksonen and Liam Waugh. Minutes later, Chris Graves would respond and in the third, he would score yet another to give Odessa the lead again. Two power-play goals from Fechko and Charlie Smith would put this game out of reach. William Karphed would pick up the win, making 31 saves in the process.

Lone Star 3 @ El Paso 1 - Both teams would exchange goals in the first period, as Owen Kerr would give Lone Star the lead, not before A.J. Reed would respond. The second period would go scoreless, but then Charlie Masek would light the lamp early into the third period. The Brahmas would hold on to this lead, with Ryan Comishock scoring the empty net goal to seal the win, behind Nicolas Rempe's 30 saves on the night.

Shreveport 3 @ Colorado 2 (SO) - Alexander German would grab the first goal of this game, as he would put Colorado up in the first period. Not too long into the second frame, Brent Litchard would get a short-handed goal to tie this game. Later in the second, Sheldon Rioux would regain the lead for Colorado. Once again Shreveport would respond, with Andrew Seminara's third-period tally. This game would require more time, with overtime not providing a winner, it would go to a shootout. Litchard and Lucas Deeb would lead the way to get the win in the shootout. Nikola Goich would make a stellar 37 saves on the night, grabbing the victory.

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