Friday Finals: Nationals stun Americans
November 22, 2014
Metro 1 @ Toledo 3 – The Toledo Cherokee took the lead against the Metro Jets in the first period and maintained it until the end of the game to secure a tight 3-1 victory. A goal 18:44 into the first period by Dominic Pisanti proved to be the game winner, and powered Toledo to the victory. Zach Swanson picked up the assist. Toledo got the win with help from a great game by Aaron Roschinsky, who had one goal and two assists. Roschinsky scored 14:13 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Austin Turner provided the assist. The Cherokee forced the Jets goalie Jake Stephan to work between the pipes, taking 37 shots. Toledo also got points from Swanson, who also had one goal and one assist. In addition, Toledo received assists from Cam Schwartz, who had two. Metro was led by Jacob Drinkard, who scored the team's only goal. Drinkard scored 11:50 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Metro. Jacob Gleason picked up the assist. Aaron Callan recorded 22 saves for Toledo. The Jets' Stephan stopped 34 shots out of the 37 that he faced.
North Iowa 3 @ Breezy Point 2 – The Breezy Point North Stars could not hold down the North Iowa Bulls, and Bulls erased a two-goal deficit en route to a 3-2 win. North Iowa never led in the game until netting the game winner. The Bulls fell behind 2-0 after a power play goal by Breezy Point's Ryan Mezera at 18:33 in the first period. North Iowa knotted things up at 2-2 on a goal by Carmen Dalesandro at 17:10 in the second period. The Bulls netted the game winner at 18:18 in the third period on a goal by Dalesandro. North Iowa was paced by Joe Burgmeier, who registered one goal. The Bulls forced the North Stars goalie Joe Licata to work between the pipes, taking 34 shots. North Iowa also got a goal from Trey Gardner as well. Other players who recorded assists for North Iowa were Evan Mills, Kurt Halbach, Austin Jackson, and Dylan Zins, who each chipped in one. Linder Kenyon also scored for Breezy Point. More assists for Breezy Point came via Crosby Steen, who had one and Sean Viti, who had two. David Johnson recorded 26 saves for North Iowa. Joe Licata made 31 saves for Breezy Point on 34 shots.
Nashville 4 @ Sugar Land 0 – The Nashville Jr. Predators' Nick Mammel had a big offensive game, scoring two goals and contributing one assist in his team's 4-0 win over the Sugar Land Imperials. Mammel scored at 2:20 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Nashville and again while 18:30 into the second to make the score 4-0 Nashville. Nashville forced Sugar Land goalie Colton Anderson to work between the pipes, taking 33 shots. Nashville additionally got points from Spencer Marchand, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Zach Greenwood also scored for Nashville. In addition, Nashville received assists from Matiss Gelazis, Rudolfs Kalvitis, Nickolas Tandeski, and Nicholas Redmon, who each chipped in one. The Imperials did not reach the goal total they have come to expect this season. Sugar Land puts an average of 3.1 pucks into the net per game. Nathan Klebe rejected 15 shots on goal for the Jr. Predators. Anderson recorded 29 saves for the Imperials.
Texas 5 @ Dallas 1 – The Texas Jr. Brahmas' Sam Gagnon had a big offensive game, scoring one goal and contributing two assists in his team's 5-1 win over the Dallas Jr. Stars. Gagnon got on the board by slotting home a goal 6:03 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Texas. Ryan Dunner assisted on the tally. Gagnon dished an assist on Kurt Thiele's goal that made the score 3-1 Texas at 19:04 into the second period. He added another helper on Nick Nitta's goal that made the score 4-1 Texas at 5:20 into the third period. Dallas' power play was ineffective against Texas' penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded. The Jr. Brahmas' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on eight Dallas power plays. Texas outdid its season average for goals scored. This season, the Jr. Brahmas average 2.8 goals per contest. The defensemen of Texas were also effective in the Jr. Stars' zone, and came away with three goals. Texas additionally got points from Anthony Koslow, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Jimmy Anderson also scored for Texas. More assists for Texas came via Devin Pierce, who had one and Paolo DiGenova and Mykyta Sheptytsky, who each chipped in two. Dallas was led by Aaron Torres, who scored the team's only goal. Torres scored short handed 13:23 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Texas. Josig Rochon provided the assist. The Jr. Brahmas' Joe Hacker stopped 24 shots out of the 25 that he faced. Anthony Galliart made 25 saves for Dallas on 30 shots.
Cincinnati 0 @ Cleveland 5 – Alec Rounds was superb between the pipes for the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks, as he did not allow a goal in a 5-0 victory over the Cincinnati Swords. Cleveland was led by John Barlow, who registered one goal. Barlow scored 3:49 into the second period to make the score 1-0 Cleveland. Brendan Logan picked up the assist. The Jr. Lumberjacks stifled Cincinnati's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Cleveland forced the Swords goalie James Schroeder to work between the pipes, taking 43 shots. The Jr. Lumberjacks surpassed their usual scoring output this season. Cleveland has scored at the pace of 2.6 goals per game during the current campaign. Cleveland additionally got points from Tyler Dalton, who also tallied two goals and two assists to lead the team in points. Cleveland also had goals scored by Zack Mlady and Zach Thibault, who scored one goal each. Other players who recorded assists for Cleveland were Avery Huibregtse and Tyler Houmard, who each chipped in one. Cincinnati was held below its usual level of production. The Swords put an average of 2.4 pucks into the net per game. The Jr. Lumberjacks' Rounds stopped 28 shots out of the 28 that he faced. James Schroeder made 38 saves for Cincinnati on 43 shots. The Swords registered zero goals on three power play opportunities.
Bozeman 1 @ Gillette 4 – A hat trick by Cade Boreing was the highlight in Wild's 4-1 win against the Bozeman Icedogs. Boreing notched his first tally 14:32 into the first period. He then added goals at 4:57 into the second and at 7:55 into the second. Bozeman was unable to stop the Gillette Wild from sending pucks towards the net, and Gillette eventually piled up 51 shots on goal. The Wild were held back by their power play unit, which tallied two goals on nine chances. Gillette also got a goal from Alex King as well. Other players who recorded assists for Gillette were Brandon Beard, who had two and Mitchell McEwan, Brett Kramer, and Darren Banks, who each chipped in one. Gillette's Alex Feese stopped 18 shots out of the 19 that he faced. The Steven Frank rejected 47 shots on goal for the Icedogs. Bozeman registered zero goals on one power play opportunities.
Glacier 2 @ Great Falls 1 – A stellar performance between the pipes by Ryan Lund helped Glacier defeat the Great Falls Americans, 2-1. Glacier was paced by Joshua Larson, who registered one goal and one assist. Larson scored short handed 19:23 into the third period to make the score 2-1 Glacier. Glacier excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. Glacier also got a goal from Tommy Kaddatz as well. In addition, Glacier received assists from Matt Gamblin, who had one. Great Falls could not produce up to its normal offensive output. The Americans put an average of 4.1 pucks into the net per game. Great Falls forced Glacier goalie Lund to work between the pipes, taking 58 shots. The Americans were led by Malachi Bushey, who scored the team's only goal. Bushey scored 17:24 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Great Falls. Marvin Simmons assisted on the tally. Ryan Lund made 57 saves for Glacier on 58 shots. Lauren Massie recorded 17 saves for Great Falls.
Minnesota 3 @ Twin City 6 – The Minnesota Flying Aces failed to take advantage of their power play opportunities and the Twin City Steel shook off a number of penalties to win, 6-3. Twin City was paced by David Becker, who registered one goal and one assist. Becker scored 15:20 into the second period to make the score 4-2 Twin City. Lance Carney picked up the assist. Minnesota was unable to stop the Steel from sending pucks towards the net, and Twin City eventually piled up 43 shots on goal. The Steel surpassed their usual scoring output this season. Twin City averages 3.5 goals per game. Team's forwards weren't the only contributers offensively, and the team's defensemen showcased their scoring touch with two goals. Twin City also got points from Aharon Lara, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Twin City included Mikko Aho, who had two and Jon Plaszcz and Chris Skordilis, who each put in one. More assists for Twin City came via Nicholas Campbell, who had two and Cody Thurman, Mathias Ahman, Jordan Pitlick, Jared Erickson, and Jake McGlocklin, who each chipped in one. The Flying Aces were helped by Colton Jones, who finished with one goal. Jones scored on the power play 4:39 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Minnesota. Minnesota had gotten the advantage when the Steel's Kyle Wagner was sent off for tripping. AJ Gullickson assisted on the tally. Minnesota additionally got points from Gullickson, who also grabbed one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Minnesota also got a goal from Bradee Thompson as well. In addition, Minnesota received assists from Isak Larson, who had two. Twin City's Parker Butler stopped 20 shots out of the 23 that he faced. The Steel registered two goals on four power play opportunities. Kevin OShea made 37 saves for the Flying Aces on 43 shots. Minnesota registered one goal on eight power play opportunities.
Alexandria 0 @ Granite City 4 – Brycon Johnson lifted the Granite City Lumberjacks to a 4-0 victory with a hat trick against the Alexandria Blizzard. Johnson got on the scoresheet 9:22 into the first period. He then added goals at 1:31 into the third and at 14:40 into the third. Granite City excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in three chances. The Lumberjacks' offense rang up 35 shots on Alexandria's net. Granite City also got a goal from Tanner Skaja as well. More assists for Granite City came via Dallas Marvin, who had two and Blake Phenow, Zach Voss, Jared Sprink, Alek Groth, and Michael Orke, who contributed one each. The Blizzard could not produce up to their normal offensive output. Alexandria puts an average of 3.8 pucks into the net per game. The Blizzard struggled on the penalty kill, allowing Granite City to score two power play goals on three chances. Kendall Meyer made 15 saves for the Lumberjacks on 15 shots. Evan Bisek rejected 31 shots on goal for Alexandria.
West Michigan 4 @ Chicago 5 – Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Chicago Junior Bulldogs defeated the West Michigan Wolves in a shootout 5-4 (3-2 SO). The shootout featured 10 attempts between both teams. West Michigan got shootout goals from Michael Tratar and Corey Siwula. In addition to the clincher, Chicago got shootout goals from Scott Coash Jr and Michael Ellis. The Junior Bulldogs' offense rang up 43 shots on the Wolves' net. The defensemen of Chicago were also effective in West Michigan's zone, and came away with two goals. The Junior Bulldogs were helped by Mike Holmes, who finished with two goals. Holmes scored the first of his two goals at 7:21 into the second period to make the score 2-2. Henry Hearon picked up the assist. Holmes' next tally made the score 3-3 with 1:00 left in the second period. Hearon assisted on the tally. Chicago also got a goal from Coash Jr as well. Other players who recorded assists for Chicago were Tyler Seltenriech, Toms Taurins, Kyle Barna, and Niko Moulakelis, who each chipped in one. The Wolves kept Chicago's goalie busy throughout the game, and Sam Harden made 30 saves on 34 shots. West Michigan was helped by Tratar, who grabbed two goals. Tratar scored the first of his two goals at 14:49 into the first period to make the score 2-1 West Michigan. Dakota Ulmer picked up the assist. Tratar's next tally made the score 3-2 West Michigan with 4:25 left in the second period. Devin Farkas provided the assist. Josh Somers also scored for West Michigan. More assists for West Michigan came via Siwula, Steven Rhodes, Kyle Keeder, and Sean Smalley, who contributed one each. Chase Stanford recorded 38 saves for the Wolves.
Helena 4 @ Billings 3 – The Billings Bulls tried to dig themselves out of a two-goal hole, but the Helena Bighorns held on for a 4-3 victory. Helena made the score 4-2 on a goal by Matt Mohar at 5:19 in the third period, and Billings got as close as 4-3 when Ian Wiljanen scored 11:13 into the third period. The Bighorns' penalty kill excelled, as Helena gave up one goal despite allowing six power plays. Helena also had goals scored by Brandon Mills, Brian Skillicorn, and Johnny Bonta, who scored one goal each. Other players who recorded assists for Helena were Nick Trefry, who had one, Kendall Bolen-Porter, who had two, and Brandt Miller, who had three. Billings also got a goal from Tristan Henrichs as well. In addition, Billings received assists from Alex Lundstrom, who had two and Matt Myers, Reed Kaiser, and Bryce Jensen, who each chipped in one. Grant Martens recorded 24 saves for the Bighorns. The Bulls' Cole Semchak stopped 25 shots out of the 29 that he faced.
