Brahmas and Ice Wolves punch tickets to South Finals
New Mexico forward Braeden Whitesell had two goals and three assists in a 5-2 win in Game 3 on Monday.
South Division Semi-Finals, Game 3: TX RoadRunners 2 @ New Mexico Ice Wolves 5 (New Mexico wins series, 2-1) – The Ice Wolves got a five-point night from Braeden Whitesell and two goals from Ryan Talorico as they upset the #1-seeded RoadRunners in Game 3, 5-2. Texas controlled the game in the 1st period thanks to a 9-4 shots edge and a goal from Matvey Ivanov. The tables turned in the 2nd period as the Ice Wolves scored three straight goals from Whitesell, Talorico, and Jaden Stiller to make it a 3-1 game. The RoadRunners cut the lead down to 3-2 with a power play goal from Noah Easterson, but before the period was up, Whitesell added his second goal of the game to make it 4-2. In the 3rd period, Talorico added his second goal of the game to put the series on ice and send New Mexico to the South Finals. Krzsztof Jakubowski made 23 saves in the win, while Hunter Hein made 19 saves in the loss.
South Division Semi-Finals, Game 3: Louisiana 1 @ TX Brahmas 4 (Brahmas win series, 2-1) – The Brahmas got two goals and an assist from veteran forward Michael Imala as they won the third and decisive game over the Drillers, 4-1 to advance to the South Finals. After a scoreless 1st period, the Brahmas made it 1-0 on Imala’s first goal of the series. The Drillers tied the game just over five minutes late with what would be their lone goal from Jack Lambert. Texas regained the lead later in the period thanks to a goal from Wyatt Witham. In the 3rd period, the Brahmas put the game away with goals from Benjamin Mondou and another from Imala. Brendan Forden made 34 saves in the win, while John Moriarty made 21 saves in the loss.
