Friday Finals: Steel hand Granite City first loss
October 11, 2014
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Granite City 2 @ Twin City 5 – The Twin City Steel's David Becker had a big offensive game, scoring two goals and contributing one assist in his team's 5-2 win over the Granite City Lumberjacks. Becker found the back of the net on the power play 9:35 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Twin City and again while 18:00 into the third to make the score 5-2 Twin City. Twin City forced Granite City goalie Sam Goetsch to work between the pipes, taking 32 shots. Team could not crack the Lumberjacks' penalty kill and was held to two power play goals while having nine opportunities to play with the man advantage. Twin City additionally got points from Jon Plaszcz, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Twin City also had goals scored by Nick Manney and Jake McGlocklin, who each put in one. More assists for Twin City came via Mikko Aho, who had two and Mathias Ahman, Jake McAfee, Kyle Wagner, James Hale, and Chris Skordilis, who contributed one each. Granite City could not produce up to its normal offensive output. The Lumberjacks put an average of 5.3 pucks into the net per game. Granite City kept Twin City's goalie busy throughout the game, and Robbiei Goor made 33 saves on 35 shots. The Lumberjacks' normally stingy defense allowed more goals than usual. Granite City averages 1.4 goal allowed per game. The Lumberjacks were led by David Horsmann, who registered one goal and one assist. Horsmann scored on the power play 8:05 into the third period to make the score 4-2 Twin City. A slashing penalty on McAfee had put Granite City on the power play. Mitchell Gwost picked up the assist. Granite City also got a goal from Luke Richardson as well. In addition, Granite City received assists from David Kenney, who had two. Goetsch rejected 27 shots on goal for the Lumberjacks.
Yellowstone 1 @ Great Falls 12 – The Yellowstone Quake fell behind early, and the Great Falls Americans kept piling on the points on the way to a 12-1 victory. Hunter Garris had four goals to lead Great Falls to victory. Garris got on the scoresheet 3:06 into the first period. He then added goals at 9:18 into the first, at 1:22 into the third, and at 16:21 into the third. The Americans were led by goalie Evan Hauser, who finished with 38 saves while allowing one goal. Great Falls forced Yellowstone's goalies to work all game long, finishing with 73 shots and forcing 61 saves. Lance Knudson made 17 stops and AJ Hill made 44. The Americans excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. Great Falls surpassed its usual scoring output this season. The Americans average 6.0 goals per game. Great Falls got an offensive boost from its blueliners, who contributed five goals during the game. Great Falls additionally got points from Marvin Simmons, who also tallied one goal and three assists, Wade Wylie, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, Lucas Stover, who also racked up one goal and one assist, and Malachi Bushey, who also finished with one goal and three assists. Devin Panzeca also scored for Great Falls. More assists for Great Falls came via Arseny Ivanov, who had one, Adam Apangalook, who had four, and Robert Kalata, Michael Kliment, Zack Mese, Miles Giorgione, and Connor Barta, who each chipped in two. The Quake forced the Americans goalie Hauser to work between the pipes, taking 39 shots. Yellowstone also got a goal from Mike McCullen as well. Other players who recorded assists for Yellowstone were Brandon Blaszczyk and Sean Pilet, who contributed one each.
Cleveland 1 @ Southern Tier 3 – N/A
Cincinnati 2 @ Toledo 5 – The Toledo Cherokee had a two-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Swords. Cody Estrel had one goal and two assists to lead Toledo. Estrel scored 7:47 into the second period to make the score 4-2 Toledo. Mark McGee assisted on the tally. Toledo forced Cincinnati goalie James Schroeder to work between the pipes, taking 40 shots. Toledo also got points from Tyler Zalecki, who also finished with one goal and two assists. Toledo also got a goal from Dominic Pisanti as well. In addition, Toledo received assists from Evan Heldt, who had two and Austin Turner and Jimmy Howell, who contributed one each. The Swords' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on four Toledo power plays. Cincinnati kept the Cherokee's goalie busy throughout the game, and Aaron Callan made 30 saves on 32 shots. The Swords were helped by Tyler Klutch, who racked up one goal. Klutch scored 3:42 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Adam Goudelock picked up the assist. Oliver Ahlberg also scored for Cincinnati. More assists for Cincinnati came via Gennadi Zabeline and Marc Anderson, who each chipped in one. Cincinnati's Schroeder stopped 35 shots out of the 40 that he faced.
Wisconsin 0 @ West Michigan 2 – Hunter Vorva recorded a shutout against the Wisconsin Whalers as the West Michigan Wolves picked up a 2-0 win. Wisconsin's power play was ineffective against West Michigan's penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded. The Wolves were led by Tait Aptakin, who registered one goal. Aptakin scored 2:32 into the second period to make the score 1-0 West Michigan. Sean Smalley provided the assist. West Michigan put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Whalers to score on any of their six power plays. The Wolves kept Wisconsin's goalie busy throughout the game, and Evan Moyse made 35 saves on 37 shots. Dakota Ulmer also scored for West Michigan. Other players who recorded assists for West Michigan were Josh Somers, Zack Lloyd, and Michael Tratar, who each chipped in one. The Whalers' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on four West Michigan power plays. Wisconsin was held below its usual level of production. The Whalers average 3.6 goals per game. Wisconsin forced West Michigan goalie Vorva to work between the pipes, taking 33 shots. Vorva recorded 33 saves for the Wolves.
Dallas 4 @ Sugar Land 6 – The Dallas Jr. Stars could not stop the Sugar Land Imperials' John Cuni, who tallied a hat trick in a 6-4 win. Cuni notched his first tally 10:31 into the first period. He then added goals at 17:02 into the first and at 4:44 into the second. Sugar Land outdid its season average for goals scored. This season, the Imperials average 3.4 goals per contest. Sugar Land also got points from Matthew Winkle, who also registered one goal and one assist and Matthew Jung, who also had one goal and two assists. Frazer Ellis also scored for Sugar Land. Other players who recorded assists for Sugar Land were Alex Tilman and Kenny Garrett, who contributed one each. Sugar Land was unable to stop Dallas from sending pucks towards the net, and the Jr. Stars eventually piled up 39 shots on goal. Dallas was led by Wyatt Gentry, who finished with one goal. Gentry scored on the power play 3:15 into the second period to make the score 4-2 Sugar Land. Travis Hall provided the assist. Dallas also had goals scored by Brooks Blackburn, Tyler Valentin, Blake McIntyre, and Aaron Torres, who scored one goal each. More assists for Dallas came via Kody Wagner, who had two. Colton Anderson made 35 saves for Sugar Land on 39 shots. Chance Turner took the loss and made eight saves before being replaced by Chris Mallon who made 13 saves.
North Iowa 10 @ Minnesota 0 – Trey Gardner was all over the ice for the North Iowa Bulls, as he tallied two goals and one assist in North Iowa's 10-0 win over the Minnesota Flying Aces. Gardner scored at 11:54 into the first period to make the score 1-0 North Iowa and again while 10:31 into the second to make the score 4-0 North Iowa. The Bulls forced Minnesota's goaltenders to work without much rest, totaling 39 shots and forcing 29 saves. Kevin OShea made 25 stops and Jaxson Gosnell made four. North Iowa bested its season scoring average. The Bulls average 3.5 goals per game. North Iowa's defensemen played an important role in the offense, chipping in three goals. North Iowa additionally got points from Adam Orn, who also finished with one goal and one assist, Kohei Sato, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, Travis Johnston, who also finished with one goal and two assists, and Austin Jackson, who also registered one goal and one assist. Others who scored for North Iowa included Tom Lindgren and Brett Gravelle, who scored two goals each. In addition, North Iowa received assists from John Chorzempa, who had two, Zachary Johnston, who had three, and Ryan Durant, Joe Kleven, Killian Gray, Dylan Zins, and Soren Colstrup, who contributed one each. David Johnson recorded 17 saves for the Bulls.
Gillette 4 @ Bozeman 2 – The game between the Gillette Wild and the Bozeman Icedogs was tight through all 60 minutes, but in the end Gillette emerged with a 4-2 win. Neither team gained more than a two-goal lead, and Bryce Mitzel's goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker. Bozeman's power play was ineffective against the Wild's penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded. Gillette was led by Mitzel, who registered one goal and one assist. Mitzel scored 12:29 into the third period to make the score 3-2 Gillette. Lance Pennington picked up the assist. The Wild stifled the Icedogs' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Gillette forced Bozeman goalie Cody Smargiassi to work between the pipes, taking 51 shots. Gillette also got points from Kyle Reilly, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Gillette included Trent Dillinger and TJ McMinn, who scored one goal each. More assists for Gillette came via Mike Magera, who had two and Jack Cleaver, Brandon Beard, and Brett Kramer, who each chipped in one. The Icedogs excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. Bozeman found itself stymied offensively, and got off a mere 14 shots against the Wild's defense. The Icedogs were helped by Gunnar Mogck, who had one goal. Mogck scored 7:31 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Bozeman. Ryan Erickson also scored for Bozeman. In addition, Bozeman received assists from Bryce Meckes, who had one. Sean Kelley made 12 saves for Gillette on 14 shots. Smargiassi rejected 47 shots on goal for Bozeman.
Billings 5 @ Glacier 3 – The Billings Bulls and Glacier were evenly matched throughout their contest, but Billings made the most of its opportunities and won, 5-3. Neither team gained more than a two-goal lead, and Ian Wiljanen's goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker. The Bulls were paced by Wiljanen, who registered one goal and one assist. Wiljanen scored 15:27 into the third period to make the score 4-3 Billings. Alex Lundstrom picked up the assist. Billings' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on five Glacier power plays. The Bulls forced Glacier goalie Nolan Slager to work between the pipes, taking 31 shots. Billings also got points from Lundstrom, who also racked up one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Others who scored for Billings included Ian Eshbaugh, Trent Carter, and TJ Theodosopoulos, who scored one goal each. Other players who recorded assists for Billings were Ralfs Karelis, who had two and Austin Lange, Steven Thompson, Reed Kaiser, and Bryce Jensen, who contributed one each. Glacier's offense rang up 38 shots on Billings' net. The defensemen of Glacier were also effective in the Bulls' zone, and came away with three goals. Glacier was helped by Tommy Kaddatz, who grabbed one goal. Kaddatz scored 5:56 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Glacier. Gavin Lubin provided the assist. Glacier also had goals scored by Wyatt Fretheim and Jarod Ackerman, who each put in one. In addition, Glacier received assists from Dustin Armstrong and Tyler McMahon, who each chipped in one. Cole Semchak recorded 35 saves for Billings. Nolan Slager made 26 saves for Glacier on 31 shots.
Point Mallard 4 @ Nashville 2 – The Point Mallard Ducks gutted out a close 4-2 win against the Nashville Jr. Predators. Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Jake Cox secured the win for Point Mallard with a goal in the third period. In the losing effort, Nashville was paced by Jacob Lainesse, who had two goals. Lainesse scored the first of his two goals at 9:44 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Rudolfs Kalvitis picked up the assist. Lainesse's next tally made the score 2-1 Nashville with 7:10 left in the first period. Colton Anderson provided the assist. In a losing effort, the Jr. Predators were led by Lainesse, who racked up two goals. The Ducks' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on five Nashville power plays. Point Mallard additionally got points from Brad Reitter, who also tallied one goal and one assist and Grant Dukus, who also registered one goal and one assist. Josh Hamilton also scored for Point Mallard. In addition, Point Mallard received assists from Justin Dunn, who had one and Noah Gilreath, who had two. Nashville excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. The Jr. Predators were held below their usual level of production. Nashville puts an average of 5.7 pucks into the net per game. Point Mallard was unable to stop the Jr. Predators from sending pucks towards the net, and Nashville eventually piled up 36 shots on goal.
More assists for Nashville came via Nicholas Redmon, who had one. Cooper Seedott made 34 saves for the Ducks on 36 shots. Nathan Klebe rejected 17 shots on goal for the Jr. Predators.
Peoria 3 @ Chicago 5 – In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Chicago Junior Bulldogs escaped with a 5-3 victory over the Peoria Mustangs. No lead was more than two goals during the contest, and the winning goal was scored by Toms Taurins at 9:33 of the third period. Scott Schroeder was all over the ice for Chicago, as he had two goals in the win. Schroeder found the back of the net 4:13 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Chicago and again while 8:18 into the third to make the score 4-4. The Junior Bulldogs' penalty kill excelled, as Chicago gave up one goal despite allowing seven power plays. The Junior Bulldogs' offense rang up 33 shots on Peoria's net. Chicago cashed in on power play opportunities, scoring four goals on five chances. Chicago's defensemen played an important role in the offense, chipping in three goals. Chicago additionally got points from Henry Hearon, who also finished with one goal and two assists to lead the team in points. In addition, Chicago received assists from Matt Blaszkiewicz, Michael Ellis, Michael Howard, and Mike Holmes, who each chipped in one and Tyler Selteriech and Scott Coash Jr, who contributed two each. The Mustangs kept the Junior Bulldogs' goalie busy throughout the game, and Troy Pierce made 29 saves on 32 shots. Peoria was led by Thomas Kolaz, who registered three goals. Peoria also got a goal from Chance Homerin as well. Other players who recorded assists for Peoria were Andrew Scofield, who had two and Joe Power Wayvon and Kai Barber, who each chipped in one. Nicholas Piech rejected 28 shots on goal for the Mustangs.
