Friday Finals: Anchorage Rages at Home and Secures the Win in the Shootout

Maryland 3 @ New Jersey 0 - The Maryland Black Bears remain comfortable at their spot atop the East Division standings after defeating the New Jersey Titans last night at Middletown Sports Complex. After a quiet opening frame, Ryan Franks got the Black Bears on the board as he found the back of the net at the 13:39 mark in the second period. To open the final period, Tanner Duncan notched one in for Maryland off a pass from Michael Sandruck. Jaden Sikura closed out the night with a goal in the final minutes of the contest, bringing the Black Bears to a 3-0 shutout victory. Ryan Denes had an impressive outing in net for Maryland with 22 saves to secure the shutout, and Charlie Mistretta defended the Titans between the pipes with 35 saves for the night. New Jersey will have the chance to respond to last night’s loss as they face the Black Bears again today in another home ice matchup.

Johnstown 1 @ Elmira 5 - The Elmira Aviators faced the Johnstown Tomahawks at LeCom Events Center, where they earned an exciting 5-1 victory. Following a scoreless opening frame, the Aviators got on the board first with a goal from Evan Dantas in the second period. Luke Rubin extended Elmira’s lead as he notched in an unassisted goal, but the Tomahawks responded with a power-play goal from Jack Genovese to end the middle frame down by one. The Aviators amped up the energy in the third period; Matt Maglio, Cole Brown, and Jack Kohlmann each earned points for Elmira, securing their victory for the night. Aiden McKenna defended Elmira’s win with 22 saves in net, while Zach Ferris earned 33 saves for Johnstown. The clubs will face one another again tonight in what is sure to be another thrilling matchup.

New Hampshire 1 @ Rochester 5 - The Rochester Jr. Americans hosted the New Hampshire Mountain Kings in a thrilling contest at Rochester Ice Center, earning a 5-1 victory. Ryan Shaw got the scoring started for the Jr. Americans as he found the back of the net with nine seconds left in the opening frame; he quickly tallied another point at 19:21 in the second period to extend Rochester’s lead. Colin Dustin followed suit less than a minute later as he scored off a pass by Adam Gionta. The Mountain Kings responded with only one goal for the night, which was scored by Alex Gelhar at the 18:17 mark; Owen King closed out the second period after scoring a power-play goal for Rochester. Keanan Dewberry added to the Jr. Americans’ lead in the final frame as he found the back of the net for the eighth time this season. Florian Wade had a night in net for Rochester as he made 30 saves, and Nolan Francis defended New Hampshire between the pipes with 22 saves. The clubs will meet again tonight for an exciting East Coast Division matchup.

Philadelphia 1 @ Maine 2 (SO) - The Maine Nordiques win a tight game in the shootout to beat the Philadelphia Rebels at home. The Nordiques were the first team on the board when Jack O'Brien opened up the scoring roughly halfway into the first frame. The second period was rather uneventful, with neither team scoring; however, Maine held the shot advantage, outshooting the Rebels 14-9. The final frame was just as competitive as the rest of the game, and it appeared like Maine would secure the game in regulation. However, with less than two minutes left in the game, the Nordiques took a penalty, and Abzal Alibek tied the game for Philadelphia to send it to overtime. Both teams registered two shots on goal during the extra frame, but neither was able to find the back of the net, so the game went to a shootout. After three rounds, Josh Itri beat the Rebels' goalie to win the game for the Nordiques and uphold their dominant record.

Odessa 5 @ Oklahoma 9 - In an action-packed game, the Oklahoma Warriors defeat the Odessa Jackalopes by a final score of 9-5. Despite allowing the first goal of the game, Oklahoma had a strong first period, scoring twice and outshooting its opponent 17-10. The shot advantage for Oklahoma continued into the second period, where each team found the back of the net twice with an even-strength and shorthanded goal. The third period was chaotic, featuring a total of seven goals. After each team scored twice, the game was tied 5-5, and it seemed like we were heading to overtime. However, despite being outshot in the final frame, the Warriors scored four goals to end the game, making their total for the night nine. The final shot count was 49-45, in favor of Oklahoma, as they fight to reach the top of the South Division.

Minnesota W 4 @ Chippewa 0 - The Minnesota Wilderness shut out the Chippewa Steel with a dominant win on the road. Noah Dziver opened the scoring in the first period as the Wilderness outshot the Steel by a dominant 11-1. The remaining game was much of the same, with Chippewa never being able to sustain any offensive pressure, while Minnesota found the back of the net at least once every period. Caleb Kim converted on one of Minnesota’s seven power play attempts to complete the game, as goaltender Ryan Gerlich stopped all seven shots he faced in an easy night. Despite surrendering four goals, Max Kogler kept Chippewa in the game, stopping 36 of 40, but there was just not much he could do to stop the Wilderness’ offense. Minnesota secures the game as they remain at the top of the Midwest Division.

Watertown 2 @ St. Cloud 3 (SO) - The St. Cloud Norsemen earned a 3–2 shootout victory over the Watertown Shamrocks in a tightly contested matchup that featured strong goaltending and a scoreless opening frame. After no goals were scored in the first period, Watertown struck twice in the second, getting goals from Edvins Berzins and Zach Boren to take a 2–1 lead, while St. Cloud answered with a tally from Samuel Misak to stay within one. The Norsemen pulled even in the third period when Sam Crane netted a power-play goal at 8:49, forcing overtime. Neither team found the winner in the extra session, sending the game to a shootout, where St. Cloud converted the lone shootout goal to secure the win. St. Cloud outshot Watertown 43–37 on the night, while Mason Gudridge and Beck Liden both turned in full 65-minute performances in net for their respective teams.

Wisconsin 0 @ Springfield 4 - The Springfield Jr. Blues rode a dominant special-teams performance to a 3–0 home win over the Wisconsin Windigo. After a scoreless majority of the first period, Springfield broke through late with a power-play goal from Zach Howard at 18:14, which stood as the game-winner. The second period saw no scoring as both goaltenders held firm, but the Jr. Blues pulled away in the third with two more power-play tallies, getting goals from Niko Laus at 8:05 and Drew Berres just seven seconds into the period. Springfield outshot Wisconsin 34–30 on the night and received a full 60-minute shutout performance from Amir Valiullin, while Easton Cody turned aside shots for the Windigo in the loss.

Minot 3 @ North Iowa 4 - The North Iowa Bulls erased an early two-goal deficit and completed a 4–3 comeback win over the Minot Minotauros. Minot jumped out in front in the first period with goals from Ivan Sidorov and Lucca Ori to take a 2–0 lead after one. North Iowa responded in a big way during the second period, scoring three unanswered goals from Fugi Suzuki (twice) and Michael Malatino to flip the game and head into the third with a 3–2 advantage. The Bulls added an insurance marker late in the third when Denis Hodas scored at 17:51, proving crucial as Minot answered just over a minute later with a goal from Mackley Morelli to cut it to one. North Iowa held on down the stretch to secure the win, outshooting Minot 29–25 on the night. Both teams had goaltenders listed for the opening period, with Caden Meringa starting for Minot and Aaron Sachs starting for North Iowa.

Corpus Christi 4 @ Amarillo 3 (OT) - The Corpus Christi IceRays earned a 4–3 overtime victory over the Amarillo Wranglers in a back-and-forth contest. Amarillo opened the scoring late in the first period on a goal from Tiernan O’Rourke to take a 1–0 lead into the intermission. Corpus Christi answered in the second period, tying the game at 17:05 on a goal from Alexandr Skuratov. The third period delivered a flurry of offense. The Wranglers regained the lead early when Mason Lupo found the back of the net, but the IceRays responded with back-to-back goals from Chayse Laurie and Sam Troutwine to jump ahead 3–2. Amarillo forced overtime with a late equalizer from Alfons Jentler at 18:39. In the extra session, Nick Evans ended it at 2:30, scoring the game-winner to lift Corpus Christi to the overtime win.

Minnesota M 4 @ Aberdeen 6 - The Mallards went on the road to take on the Wings. The opening period featured Aberdeen striking first with a power-play tally by Cooper Anderson at the 4:42 minute mark. Minnesota would respond thanks to Joseph Delaurentis finding twine on the man advantage almost two minutes later. The captain of the Wings, Owen Pitters, scored on the power play with 45 seconds to spare in the opening period to give Aberdeen the lead heading into the intermission. The middle frame featured the Mallards securing a trio of goals to give their team the lead. First, Zach Groleau lights the lamp within the first two minutes of the period. Following that, Aberdeen’s David Hruby shows up on the scoresheet with an unassisted tally at the 15:52 minute mark. Following that, Keanan Pearman strikes on the man advantage for the Mallards less than a minute later. Finally, the Mallards secure their first lead of the night with a power-play tally at the 8:29 minute mark of the second period. Heading into the final frame of the night, Aberdeen would turn the tides into their favor. First, Wings’ veteran Jibber Kuhl finds twine on his own, scoring an unassisted goal at the 14:35 minute mark. Aberdeen’s captain, Owen Pitters, would provide the game-winning goal shorthanded for his team. Finally, Easton Edwards would tap in an empty-netter in the final 10 seconds of the matchup. The Wings would skate away with a 6-4 victory at home.

Austin 6 @ Bismarck 5 (SO) - The Austin Bruins went on the road to take on the Bismarck Bobcats. In the opening period, the Bruins would strike first with a goal from Austin Doyle. The Bruins would then score again, this time on a power play, Michael Coleman scoring with assists from John Flood and Sam Kline. The Bobcats would then get on the board with a power-play goal of their own from Cooper Williams, Charlie Kresl and Royce Pietila picking up the assist. The Bobcats would then score another power-play goal from Camden Alemond, Cooper Williams, and Royce Pietila with another assist. To finish the opening period, Cooper Williams would score his second power-play goal to give the Bobcats the lead, with  Alemond and Kresl with the assist. In the second period, the Bobcats would extend their lead with a goal from George Poirier, Eddie Revenig and Noah Ziskie with the assist. Less than a minute later, the Bobcats would score again with a goal from Patch Cronin, Alemond and Kresl, each with another assist. The Bruins would finally answer back. With a power-play goal from Sam Kline, Trace Day and Gus Elbert with the assist. The Bruins would then score on another power play with a goal from EJ Paddington, Nathan Williams and Matsvei Marshchanok with the assist. With just 2 minutes left in the final period, Nathan Williams would find the equalizer for the Bruins to force overtime, Gus Elbert and Siamion Marshchanok with the assist. In overtime, neither team would score, leading to a shootout. After seven shots, the Bruins would win with a game-winner from EJ Paddington. The Bruins came back to beat the Bobcats 6-5.

New Mexico 2 @ Lone Star 1 - The New Mexico Ice Wolves went on the road to take on the Lone Star Brahmas. In this low-scoring affair, neither team would make any noise in the opening period. Leading to both teams squared up 0-0 going into the second. In the second period, the Ice Wolves would strike first with a power-play goal from Sean Smith, Noah Teng and Stanley Hubbard with the assist. Before the end of the period, the Brahmas would get on the board with a goal from Vincent Gellar, Tyson Scanlon and Loic Nasreddine picking up the assist. In the final minutes of the game, the Ice Wolves would find the game winner with a goal from Andy Earl, Sean Gibbons and Damon Bickler picking up the assist. The Ice Wolves edge out the Brahmas in a 2-1 win.

Shreveport 2 @ El Paso 4 - The Shreveport Mudbugs went on the road to take on the El Paso Rhinos. In the opening period, the Rhinos would score the lone goal from Jackson Potulny, Simon Nealy and Brendan Murray with the assist. In the second period, the Mudbugs would get on the board with a goal from Chase Secriskey, Johnathan Berndt with the assist. The Rhinos would then answer back with a goal from Tommy Shore, Simon Nealy and Troy Hunka picking up the assist. The Mudbugs would then answer back with a power play goal from Duke Ehrhard, Grayson Gerhard and Johnathan Berndt with another assist. With just 23 seconds left in the second period, the Rhinos would go back ahead with another power play goal, Kamden Kaiser scoring with an assist from Tommy Shore and Troy Hunka. In the final period, the Rhinos would score the dagger on an empty net, Kamden Kaiser with his second goal of the game, assisted by Ethan Woolcott and Tommy Shore, his second assist of the game. The Rhinos defeat the Mudbugs 4-2.

Janesville 4 @ Kenai River 3 - The Janesville Jets continue their Alaskan road trip with a Friday night matchup against the Kenai River Brown Bears. The contest features the Jets striking first with the captain lighting the lamp. With 12:12 on the clock in the opening frame, Joseph Hyten finds twine. A little over two minutes later, the Brown Bears even the score with a tally by Joe Gillespie. The Jets would regain their lead with a power-play goal by Grant Dillard at the 7:31 minute mark. However, the Brown Bears would even the scoreboard once more, this time with Gavin Jensen lighting the lamp with 34 seconds to spare. The middle frame would feature a lone Kenai River goal by Kallen Ray, marking his first goal of the season. His goal would secure the Brown Bears' first lead of the night. As the contest moved into the final period, the Jets were looking to respond and were able to battle back. First, Hans Hedlund scores shorthanded to tie up the contest. A little over a minute and a half later, the captain would be the hero of the matchup. He finds the back of the net with a power-play tally at the 4:30 minute mark of the final period. The Jets skate away with a 4-3 victory and their second consecutive win.

Fairbanks 1 @ Anchorage 2 (SO) - The Anchorage Wolverines hosted their in-state rival, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, for an exciting Alaska Airlines Club 49 Cup series. The Wolverines would strike first at the Sullivan Arena, thanks to a tally by Andrew Karkoc. The middle period would be scoreless as both teams traded chances. In the final frame, the Ice Dogs would even the contest with an unassisted goal by Ian Christian. This season, Christian was traded from the Wolverines to the Ice Dogs midseason. The contest would be forced into extra minutes and an eventual shootout. In the shootout, it would go to seven rounds, and the hero would be an Alaskan native, Aiden Lawson. The Wolverines skate away with a 2-1 win, snapping the Ice Dogs' win streak. Between the pipes for the Wolverines, Kai Weigel stops 31 out of 32 shots.