Outlaws, RoadRunners skate to OT wins
The second day of the NAHL Showcase Tournament wrapped up today at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., with the North Iowa Outlaws skating to a 1-0 overtime win over the Traverse City North Stars.
Defenseman Matt Morin scored the game's only goal at the 1:52 mark of overtime, while Outlaws goaltender Robby Moss stopped all 24 Traverse City shots.
"I thought the guys competed harder today and played a much stronger game," said Outlaws coach Dave Boitz, whose club fell to Marquette in a shootout yesterday. "I felt like we were passing and executing better."
North Stars netminder Brandon Stephenson was sensational in defeat, making 35 saves.
"He played terrific, but we got one when it counted and got the two points," said Boitz.
The Topeka RoadRunners opened the day with a 3-2 overtime win over the Bismarck Bobcats. Aaron Gens scored the game-winner in the extra session, while Corey Jendras added a goal and two assists (one on Gens' goal). Josh Kamrass a chipped in three assists for the RoadRunners, including one on the OT winner.
Russell Anderson notched two goals, including the game-winner, as the Alpena Ice Diggers cruised to a 7-2 win over the Southern Minnesota Express. Joe Puskar recorded three assists for Alpena, while goaltender Dan Pason turned aside 39 shots.
"We played for 60 minutes tonight," said Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller. "Yesterday we were outworked (in 6-3 loss to Wichita Falls) and today we made it a point to put an all-around better effort together for three periods. I'm very proud of all the guys. That was a total team effort."
The Fargo-Moorhead Jets skated past the Kenai River Brown Bears, 3-1. Andy Dittus, Andrew Muir (game-winner) and Mark Johnson lit the lamp for the Jets, with netminder Elliot Okland making 33 saves in goal.
Darren Rowe scored the game-winning goal and an assist as the Springfield Jr. Blues edged the Alexandria Blizzard, 3-2. Jared Rickord notched two goals in the win, while Ales Sila turned aside 33 shots between the pipes.
The Fairbanks Ice Dogs bested the U.S. Under-18 Team, 3-2, in a 13-round shootout. Isaiah Bennis and Gianni Baldassari scored goals in regulation for Fairbanks, while goaltender Cody Reichard made 14 saves.
Matt Brooker stopped 39 of 40 shots and 4 of 6 in a shootout as the Marquette Rangers skated to a 2-1 win over the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Tyler Mathews scored in regulation for the Rangers.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms topped the Texas Tornado, 5-4, as Scott Moser scored two goals for the victors. Derek Graham netted the game-winner, while goaltender Garrett Bartus made 18 saves.
In the late game, the St. Louis Bandits cruised to a 7-1 triumph over the Alaska Avalanche. Sam Bozoian tallied two goals and an assist in the victory, with Ben Warda and Tom Brooks each adding a goal and two assists. Between the pipes, Mike Johnson turned aside 22 shots.
