Friday Finals: Grizzlies, Brahmas clinch regular season crowns | North American Tier III Hockey League | NA3HL
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Friday Finals: Grizzlies, Brahmas clinch regular season crowns

February 26, 2022

Willmar goalie Cooper Olson made 31 saves to help Willmar snap the 38-game winning streak of Granite City thanks to a 2-1 win on Friday.

Friday Box Scores

Rochester 5 @ Wausau 0: The Rochester Grizzlies shut out the Wausau Cyclones on their home ice in a 5-0 final score, which clinched the Central Division regular season title for the Grizzlies. Layten Liffrig (11:43) scored the game’s first goal getting help from Matthew Shaw and Lycoln Bielenberg-Howarth. Matthew Shaw (14:35) scored to get the Grizzlies ahead 2-0 going into the first intermission. In the second period, Max Breon (12:21) netted his 11th of the season assisted by Nick Recupero and Cole Gibson. In the final frame, Per Waage (3:53) scored with Layten Liffrig and Lycoln Bielenberg-Howarth on the assist. The Grizzlies added another goal with Luke Morrisette (16:31) scoring for a 5-0 final score. Grizzlies goaltender Zach Wiese earned the shutout stopping all 16 shots he faced in the win.

El Paso 3 @ TX Brahmas 4: The Texas Brahmas edged the El Paso Rhinos in a 4-3 final score, which clinched the South Division regular season title for the Brahmas. After a scoreless first period, El Paso scored the game's first goal with Dylan Tompson (1:21). The Brahmas evened the game with Matej Pafly (10:28) scoring his second goal of the season. Seconds after, Blake Rothestein (10:36) scored, getting the Brahmas ahead 2-1. The Brahmas added to their lead with Michael Imala (13:46) scoring his 28th of the season for a 3-1 score to end the middle period. In the third, Blake Rothstein (0:33) netted his second goal of the game for a 4-2 score. The Rhinos added two goals in the third with Matthew Gross (4:54) and Blake Polifka (10:17) but the Brahmas held on to win 4-3.

Willmar 2 @ Granite City 1: Collin Kerchoff proved to be a key performer, scoring both of Willmar’s goals in their victory on the road against Granite City and snapping their win-streak. Kerchoff broke the deadlock in the opening period, scoring from Marcus Mack and Jake Hosszu 12:13 into the period. After a scoreless 2nd period, Kerchoff extended the lead 11:06 into the 3rd with helpers from Ethan Mock and Nolan Grier. Tucker Skime cut the lead in half late in the period but it was too late. Cooper Olson was nearly perfect in net for the WarHawks, stopping 31 of 32 shots faced. Xander Roberts was dealt the loss, keeping out 27 of 29 shots. 

Butte 8 @ Sheridan 0: Caleb Cross stopped all 28 shots that came at him to secure the shutout and grab the win over Sheridan, which clinched the final playoff spot in the Frontier for the Cobras. After a scoreless opening period, Carson Streich, Nick Bradshaw, and Fabian Vik each buried goals in the 2nd period to grab the lead. Cade Wessman also added a pair of goals to further the lead. In the 3rd, Patrick Crooks, Wessman, and Bradshaw each tickled the twine to further the deficit for Butte. Patric Loeffler made 50 saves in the loss for the Hawks. 

Bay State 2 @ Norwich 5: The Norwich Sea Captains won 5-2 against the Bay State Bobcats. The Bobcats scored the lone goal in the first period when Matt Schirm (8:54) found the back of the net with the Help from goaltender Ben Di Fiore. In the second, the Sea Captains evened up the game with Teagen Beier (6:38) scoring. The Bobcats took the lead back with Brian Woak (10:38) for a 2-1 score to end the period. Norwich opened up offensively in the third period scoring four unanswered goals.  Jack Kinahan (3:08/7:50) scored twice to get the Sea Captains ahead 3-2. Sean Loftus (11:12) added on to the Norwich lead assisted by Brian Essig and Teagen Beier. Nearing the end of regulation, Teagan Beier (16:04) scored to seal the win, 5-2.

Louisiana 4 @ TX RoadRunners 2: The Louisiana Drillers defeated the Texas RoadRunners in a 4-2 game. Texas took a 1-0 lead in the first with Samuel Bourdon (7:36) scoring his 22nd goal of the season. In the second period, the Drillers evened the game with Mark Kurliandchyk (4:33) scoring his 17th of the year assisted by Mason Wilbur and Frank Steinway. In the third, Frank Steinway (13:18) scored to get Louisiana their first lead of the game, 2-1. The RoadRunners soon answered back with Eitan Geralnik (16:37) for a 2-2 score. In the final minute of the period, Josh Hrip (19:18) netted his 31st of the year to get Louisiana ahead, 3-2. The Drillers scored another late goal with Mason Wilbur (19:47) solidifying the win, 4-2.

Mid Cities 0 @ Oklahoma City 6: The Oklahoma City Ice Hawks shutout the Mid Cities Jr. Stars in a 6-0 contest. The Ice Hawks got on the board in the first with Garrett Connor (12:58) for a 1-0 lead. In the second period, the Ice Hawks added five goals. Vincent Anderson (2:35/8:45), Noah Henselee (3:17/6:55) and Aaron Best (13:11) all scored. No goals were scored in the third period as Oklahoma City won, 6-0. Ice Hawks goaltender Andrew Owens earned the shutout, turning away all 18 tries in the win.

Minnesota 1 @ Alexandria 3: The Alexandria Blizzard picked up a win 3-1 over the Minnesota Loons. After a silent first period, Blizzard forward Kaden Peterson (3:04) netted the game's first goal. Ethan Moerke (8:01) added to the Blizzard lead, 2-0. Minnesota got on the board with Trent Daly (13:13) to end the second period with a 2-1 score. In the third period, Zachary DeMarce (6:37) scored what would be the game-winning goal for a 3-1 final score.

Atlanta 9 @ Austin 2: Forward Anthony O’Neal buried a hat trick and had four points in Atlanta’s rout over the Ice Bats. Nick Mumford and Harrison Flaacke both buried goals in the opening period to give the Capitals an early lead. O’Neal potted a pair and Landon Welch and Kaleb Miller both tickled twine in the 2nd period to further the lead. In the final frame, Chase Wilhelm, Kalleb Miller, and O’Neal extended the lead with goals. Austin’s quiet offense was provided with goals by Mario Mendez and Jaylen Mendez, both goals coming in the 3rd period. Coleman Garnier secured the victory, keeping out 25 of 27 shots that came at him. Elias Kyrola took the loss making 58 saves. 

New Ulm 1 @ Mason City 3: Netminder Owen Carlson was nearly perfect in net for the Toros, stopping all but one of 19 shots faced in Mason City’s victory over the Steel. After a quiet opening period, Luke Robertson lit the lamp early in the 2nd to give Mason City the lead. Carter Newpower continued the Toros momentum with another before the halfway mark in the period. Gust Gantwell lit the lamp for the Steel to cut the lead in half before the 3rd period. In the final frame, Colin Hedland scored early for his 8th of the season and to help seal the victory on home ice. Zach Foster made 34 saves for the Steel. 

Peoria 2 @ Oregon 0: Andrew Doran had a stellar performance between the pipes for Peoria, stopping all 37 shots that came at him to secure the shutout and carry the Mustangs past Oregon on the road. After a scoreless 1st, Massimo Polistina opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the season 8:04 into the middle frame. Jackson Gram doubled the lead before intermission with a goal to carry a 2-0 lead through 40 minutes. Oregon’s offense was unable to find a way past Doran as the game would finish at a score of 2-0. Evan Witttchow stopped 34 shots in the loss for the Tradesmen. 

Gillette 6 @ Badlands 1: The Gillette Wild captured their 5th consecutive victory in a win against Badlands, largely due to a hat trick performance from forward Isaac Young. Hunter Fischbach scored the lone goal in the 1st period to give the Sabres a lead through 20. Young scored a pair and Easton Adopaca added on another to give the Wild the upper hand heading into the 3rd period. All offense came from the visitors in the 3rd as Sky Skolig potted a pair and Young finished off the hat trick. Jack Orchard grabbed the win making 18 saves. Maxim Currie was dealt the loss stopping 39 shots. 

Helena 5 @ Bozeman 1: Samuel Feamster had an impressive offensive performance, scoring a hat trick and helping push the Bighorns past Bozeman on the road. Harlan Wojttusik and Erik Gibboney each buried 1st period goals to put Helena ahead 2-0 after 20 minutes. Feamster scored in the middle frame but Bentley Simcox helped keep the deficit at two with Bozeman’s first goal. In the 3rd Feamster added a pair of goals to secure the natural hat trick and secure the victory. Aidan Wright stopped 19 of 20 shots faced for the Bighorns. Collin Soderholm kept out 35 in the loss. 

Yellowstone 2 @ Great Falls 5: Great Falls snapped their six-game losing skid with a convincing 5-2 victory over Yellowstone on home ice. The Americans grabbed an early two-goal lead as Tyler Sunagel and Micah Serino both buried goals. Yellowstone fought back before period break with goals from Gustav Ostman and Gabe Coppo but JJ Martin added another for Great Falls to give the Americans a 3-2 lead heading into the 2nd. Thomas Gazich scored the lone goal in the 2nd to improve Great Falls’ lead to two. In the final frame, Daniel Crutcher added another insurance goal to seal it. Will SImpson stopped 16 of 18 shots in the victory while Cole Eastman had a busy night, completing the contest with 71 saves. 

 
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