Machine opens Showcase with OT win

The Motor City Machine got its season off on the right foot, picking up its first win in franchise history with a 2-1 overtime victory over the Wenatchee Wild on Day 1 of the NAHL Showcase Tournament at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.

Trevor John’s OT goal sealed the deal for Motor City, with Andy Inderieden recording a goal and assisting on John’s tally.  Goaltender Zach Hansen made 19 saves.

“We came out slow in the first period, but it felt good to get our first win,” said Machine head coach Matt Romaniski.  “Wenatchee came out quick and hard and Zach kept us in the game.”

Thomas Erlacher scored the game-tying and overtime game-winning goal as the Wichita Falls Wildcats took down the U.S. Under-18 Team, 3-2.  Kyle Delaurell chipped in three assists, including two on Erlacher's goals, and goaltender Mike Jarboe made 47 saves.

The Traverse City North Stars opened their season with a 3-2 win over the defending Robertson Cup champion St. Louis Bandits.  Kyle Bonis scored the third-period game-winner, with Garrett Thompson and Chris Salomone scoring the other North Stars markers.  In goal, Brandon Stephenson turned aside 19 shots.

Eric Kraft tallied a goal and an assist as the Fairbanks Ice Dogs downed the Springfield Jr. Blues, 5-4.  Isaiah Bennis notched the game-winning goal, while goaltender Matt Anderson made 24 saves.

The Topeka RoadRunners dropped the Alpena IceDiggers, 5-1, with Jordan George scoring the game-winning marker and an assist.  Alec Hagaman added a goal and an assist, and netminder Lyle Rocker stopped 23 shots between the pipes.

Robert Harrison’s third-period goal lifted the Mahoning Valley Phantoms to 5-4 triumph over the Southern Minnesota Express.  Erik Higby notched two goals in the win, while goaltender Garrett Bartus turned back 19 shots.

“We just started working harder than Owatonna,” said Harrison on the Phantoms’ comeback, “and good things happened.”

Austin Czarnik rang up two goals in the U.S. Under-17 Team’s 5-1 win over the Bismarck Bobcats.  Michael Mersch scored the game-winning goal, and goaltender Jack Campbell made 22 saves for the U.S. team.

"This was a good start to our season," said John Hynes, head coach of Team USA. "I thought we played intelligently and executed very well together as a team."

The Alexandria Blizzard opened its 2008-09 season with a 5-2 win over the Alaska Avalanche.  Joe Knoepke struck for two goals for the Blizzard, including the game-winner, while Dylan Woodring turned back 34 shots between the pipes.

Ryan Goodmanson connected for the game-winning goal as the Kenai River Brown Bears edged the Albert Lea Thunder, 3-2.  Goaltender Nick Dries stopped 28 shots in the victory for Kenai River.

The North Iowa Outlaws overcame a 0-2 deficit to defeat the Marquette Rangers, 5-4.  Travis Peckskamp scored two goals for the Outlaws, and Thomas Callaghan made 29 saves.