Friday Finals: Billings hands Great Falls first loss
November 8, 2014
Billings 1 @ Great Falls 0 – Cole Semchak made 32 saves to complete the shutout and led the Billings Bulls to a 1-0 win against the Great Falls Americans. Nick Rizzo's game-winning tally was the game's only goal. It came at 19:33 in the third period. Ralfs Karelis assisted on the tally. Billings was led by Rizzo, who racked up one goal. The Bulls excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in three chances. Billings did not reach the goal total it has come to expect this season. The Bulls put an average of 3.9 pucks into the net per game. Billings' defensive effort looked to be improved. The Bulls gives up 2.8 goals on average per game. Other players who recorded assists for Billings were Josh Pena, who had one. Great Falls stifled Billings' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. The Americans' offense operated below their season average. Great Falls averages 4.4 goals per game. The Americans' offense rang up 32 shots on the Bulls' net. Lauren Massie made 29 saves for Great Falls on 30 shots.
Sugar Land 1 @ Point Mallard 6 – N/A
Texas 2 @ Topeka 3 – The Topeka Capitals climbed out of a two-goal hole to beat the Texas Jr. Brahmas, 3-2. Topeka never led in the game until netting the game winner. The Capitals trailed 2-0 after a goal by Texas' Ryan Dunner at 3:57 in the first period. Topeka knotted things up at 2-2 on a power play goal by Colin OConner at 13:03 in the second period. The Capitals scored the game winner at 16:51 in the third period on a goal by OConner. Topeka's penalty kill excelled, as the Capitals gave up zero goals despite allowing six power plays. Topeka stifled the Jr. Brahmas' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Texas was unable to stop the Capitals from sending pucks towards the net, and Topeka eventually piled up 31 shots on goal. The Capitals' defensemen played an important role in the offense, chipping in two goals.
Topeka was helped by Benton Deanovich, who had one goal. Topeka also got points from Tre Kautzman, who also registered one goal and one assist. In addition, Topeka received assists from Alex Sauer, who had two and Richard Yusa, who had three. The Jr. Brahmas forced the Capitals goalie Bailey Aust to work between the pipes, taking 31 shots. Texas additionally got points from Jon Severson, who also finished with one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Other players who recorded assists for Texas were Nick Nitta, Kurt Thiele, and Devin Pierce, who contributed one each. Bailey Aust made 29 saves for Topeka on 31 shots. Joe Hacker rejected 28 shots on goal for Texas.
Pittsburgh 2 @ Toledo 1 – Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Pittsburgh Vengeance defeated the Toledo Cherokee in a shootout 2-1 (3-0 SO). The shootout lasted for seven attempts between the teams. Pittsburgh's other shootout goals were scored by Tyler Speis and Cody Black. The Vengeance came back from a one-goal deficit to capture the victory. Pittsburgh was down 1-0 after a short handed goal by Toledo's David Bogart at 7:51 in the second period. The Vengeance knotted things up at 1-1 on a short handed goal by Black at 19:03 in the second period. Pittsburgh was led by goalie Brian Baker, who finished with 40 saves while allowing one goal. Baker managed to improve on his goals against average, which stood at 1.98 prior to the game. The Vengeance stifled the Cherokee's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. In addition, Pittsburgh received assists from Eli Lynn, who had one. Toledo was held below its usual level of production. The Cherokee put an average of 3.5 pucks into the net per game. Toledo's offense rang up 41 shots on Pittsburgh's net. More assists for Toledo came via Cam Schwartz and Mark McGee, who each chipped in one. Aaron Callan took the sol and made nine saves before being replaced by Glen Bates who made nine saves.
Twin City 3 @ Breezy Point 0 – Robbie Goor recorded a shutout against the Breezy Point North Stars as the Twin City Steel picked up a 3-0 win. Twin City was paced by Russel Barone, who had one goal and one assist. Barone scored 11:40 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Twin City. Aharon Lara picked up the assist. The Steel put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Breezy Point to score on any of its three power plays.
Twin City also had goals scored by Kyle Wagner and Chris Skordilis, who scored one goal each. More assists for Twin City came via Lance Carney, who had two and Alex Egle and Jake McGlocklin, who contributed one each. The North Stars' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three Twin City power plays. Breezy Point was held below its usual level of production. The North Stars put an average of 2.6 pucks into the net per game. Goor recorded 28 saves for Twin City. Breezy Point's Joe Licata stopped 18 shots out of the 21 that he faced.
Alexandria 4 @ North Iowa 5 – In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the North Iowa Bulls escaped with a 5-4 victory over the Alexandria Blizzard. Neither team gained more than a one-goal lead, and Brett Gravelle's goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker. Joe Burgmeier was all over the ice for North Iowa, as he registered two goals in the win. Burgmeier scored at 19:58 into the second period to make the score 2-2 and again while 9:42 into the third to make the score 3-3. The Bulls kept Alexandria's goalie busy throughout the game, and Evan Bisek made 38 saves on 43 shots. North Iowa's defense let in more goals than it usually has this year. The Bulls are averaging 1.7 goal against for the season.
North Iowa also got points from Johnny Panvica, who also tallied one goal and two assists to lead the team in points and Gravelle, who also racked up one goal and one assist. North Iowa also got a goal from Carmen Dalesandro as well. In addition, North Iowa received assists from Joe Kleven, who had two and Sam Naegele, Austin Jackson, Dylan Zins, and David Johnson, who each chipped in one. The Blizzard were helped by Bo Gronseth, who had one goal and one assist. Gronseth scored 5:18 into the third period to make the score 3-2 Alexandria. Eric Hewitt assisted on the tally. Alexandria additionally got points from Trent Olson, who also registered one goal and one assist and Tom Schmidt, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Tyler Sworsky also scored for Alexandria. Johnson recorded 23 saves for North Iowa.
Cincinnati 2 @ Cleveland 3 – Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks defeated the Cincinnati Swords in a shootout 3-2 (2-0 SO). The shootout featured seven attempts between both teams. In addition to the clincher, Cleveland got a shootout goal from Tyler Houmard. The Jr. Lumberjacks overcame a one-goal deficit to capture the victory. Cleveland trailed 2-1 after a power play goal by Cincinnati's Blake Hinds at 16:47 in the second period. The Jr. Lumberjacks tied things up at 2-2 on a goal by Houmard at 7:19 in the third period. Ryker Barber also scored for Cleveland. More assists for Cleveland came via Mitch Renstrom, Aaron Schmitt, Zack Mlady, and Patrick Briggs, who each chipped in one. The Swords' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three Cleveland power plays. Cincinnati kept Cleveland's goalie busy throughout the game, and Alec Rounds made 31 saves on 33 shots. Cincinnati also got a goal from Andrew Bond as well. Other players who recorded assists for Cincinnati were Ramsey Mayne, Hunter Schneider, Gennadi Zabeline, and Adam Goudelock, who contributed one each. Brandon Kruger made 27 saves for the Swords on 29 shots.
Gillette 2 @ Yellowstone 0 – Sean Kelley was superb between the pipes for the Gillette Wild, as he did not allow a goal in a 2-0 victory over the Yellowstone Quake. Gillette was sparked by Logan Spiegelberg, who finished with one goal. Spiegelberg scored 9:52 into the second period to make the score 1-0 Gillette. TJ McMinn picked up the assist. The Wild's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on five Yellowstone power plays. Gillette's defensive play was more effective than usual against Yellowstone. The Wild allow 2.4 goals per game. Gillette forced the Quake goalie Sean Leahy to work between the pipes, taking 48 shots. Gillette also got a goal from Cade Boreing as well. In addition, Gillette received assists from Rob Lantz and Mitchell McEwan, who contributed one each. Yellowstone's offense operated below its season average. The Quake put an average of 2.5 pucks into the net per game. The Wild's Kelley stopped 29 shots out of the 29 that he faced. Leahy rejected 46 shots on goal for Yellowstone.
Metro 3 @ West Michigan 5 – The Metro Jets tried their best to erase a five-goal deficit, but the West Michigan Wolves would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-3.
A goal by Josh Somers put West Michigan up 5-0 in the third period, but Metro pulled to within two on Jason Newel's tally 16:34 into the third period. Devin Farkas had a great game for the Wolves, netting two goals. Farkas found the back of the net on the power play 16:25 into the first period to make the score 2-0 West Michigan and again while 11:50 into the second to make the score 4-0 West Michigan. West Michigan's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three Metro power plays. The Jets were unable to stop the Wolves from sending pucks towards the net, and West Michigan eventually piled up 34 shots on goal. West Michigan also got a goal from Kyle Keeder as well. Other players who recorded assists for West Michigan were Dakota Ulmer, who had three, Tim Foley, Shawn Adam, and Sean Smalley, who contributed one each, and Corey Siwula and Michael Tratar, who each chipped in two. Others who scored for Metro included Pearce Vance and Kyle Shreve, who scored one goal each. In addition, Metro received assists from Andrew Sawyer and Jacob Rutkoske, who contributed one each. Hunter Vorva made 23 saves for the Wolves on 26 shots. Metro's Kameron Limburg stopped 29 shots out of the 34 that he faced.
Nashville 8 @ Dallas 1 – The Nashville Jr. Predators were firing on all cylinders against the Dallas Jr. Stars, and when the final buzzer sounded Jr. Predators emerged with an 8-1 win.
Nashville's Nathan Klebe was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 28 saves and let only one puck past him. The solid play of Klebe will be reflected in his goals against average, which pre-game was 2.42. Dallas' power play was ineffective against the Jr. Predators' penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded. Nashville's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on six Dallas power plays. The Jr. Predators surpassed their usual scoring output this season. This season, Nashville averages 5.8 goals per contest. The Jr. Predators got an offensive boost from their blueliners, who contributed two goals during the game. Nashville was helped by Jacob Lainesse, who had one goal. Lainesse scored 17:48 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Nashville. Dominic Costello picked up the assist. Nashville also got points from Matiss Gelazis, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, Ben Falk, who also registered one goal and one assist, Nickolas Tandeski, who also finished with one goal and one assist, and Zach Greenwood, who also had one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Nashville included Jesse Hyde, Nathaniel Chiarizzio, and Spencer Marchand, who scored one goal each. More assists for Nashville came via Kyle Van Wyk and Alex Durand, who each chipped in one and Topi Samuli Aheristo, Keegan Haines, and Trent Kulczyk, who contributed two each. Dallas took out Anthony Galliart after he had made 15 saves and installed Clayton Pierce in goal, where he finished with seven saves and the loss.
Chicago 3 @ Wisconsin 5 – Adam Schoenfeld lifted the Wisconsin Whalers to a 5-3 victory with a hat trick against the Chicago Junior Bulldogs. Schoenfeld got on the scoresheet 14:06 into the first period. He then added goals at 15:53 into the first and at 17:51 into the second. Wisconsin stifled Chicago's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. The Whalers forced the Junior Bulldogs goalie Troy Pierce to work between the pipes, taking 52 shots.
Wisconsin also had goals scored by Michael Tish and Connor Morgan, who scored one goal each. In addition, Wisconsin received assists from Will Holtan, Joe Perrelle, Niko Keranen, and Isaac Hale, who each chipped in one and Dan Addie, Peter Henderson, and Kaleb Morley, who contributed two each. Chicago kept Wisconsin's goalie busy throughout the game, and David Volkmann made 39 saves on 42 shots. Chicago was helped by Ryan Glennon, who grabbed one goal. Glennon scored 19:19 into the second period to make the score 5-3 Wisconsin. Scott Schroeder assisted on the tally. Others who scored for Chicago included Matt Blaszkiewicz and Scott Coash Jr, who each put in one. More assists for Chicago came via Scott Herbster, Noah Carter, and Michael Ellis, who each chipped in one. Troy Pierce made 47 saves for the Junior Bulldogs on 52 shots. Chicago registered zero goals on five power play opportunities.
Helena 7 @ Glacier 1 – The Helena Bighorns' Brandt Miller had a big offensive game, scoring two goals and contributing two assists in his team's 7-1 win over Glacier. Miller's tallies came on the power play at 8:33 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Helena and 7:08 into the second to make the score 3-0 Helena. Helena excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. The Bighorns kept Glacier's goalie busy throughout the game, and Nolan Slager made 34 saves on 41 shots. Helena additionally got points from Kendall Bolen-Porter, who also registered one goal and one assist and Matt Mohar, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Helena included Nick Trefry, Jay Forbes, and Brandon Mills, who scored one goal each. In addition, Helena received assists from Bryan Knesel and Georgy Ostapchuk, who contributed one each. Glacier was led by Tyler McMahon, who scored the team's only goal. McMahon scored 14:00 into the second period to make the score 3-1 Helena. Joshua Larson picked up the assist. Helena's Alex Kruger stopped 22 shots out of the 23 that he faced. The Bighorns registered one goal on five power play opportunities.
