This week in the NA3HL

Fresh off the NA3HL Showcase, the NA3HL returned to their usual regular season action this past weekend as the action featured some intense divisional rivalries. This weekend signifies the half-way point for most teams and the slate is full of exciting match-ups. Here is a look at this weekend in the NA3HL:

Alexandria Blizzard: The Blizzard picked up a big weekend home sweep of the Quad City Jr. Flames, outscoring them 11-1 in the two games. Ian Ecklund and Chayce Coenen were the big point-producing stars over the weekend. Winners of the their last four games, the Blizzard gear up to take on North Iowa at home on Friday and Breezy Point on the road on Saturday.

Battle Creek Revolution: After an 0-4 record at the NA3HL Showcase in Blaine, the Revolution had a weekend off of action last weekend. This weekend, they are set to travel to Queen City to take on the Steam in a pair of games. Defenseman Kyle Ware had five points in six games played this season.

Breezy Point North Stars: Despite losing all four games at the NA3HL Showcase, the North Stars were close and competitive in the games and that continued this past weekend in their home series with Peoria. After falling 6-0 on Saturday, the North Stars won 4-3 on Sunday. Erikur Arnason made 30 saves in the win. The North Stars host Alexandria and Granite City this weekend.

Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks: It was a tough weekend for the Jacks as they dropped a pair of road games against the Flint Jr. Generals. Cleveland has now lost four of their last five games. Cleveland scored three goals over the weekend and forward Fred West scored all three. This weekend, Cleveland begins the start of an eight-game homestand with a pair of games against the Metro Jets.

Flint Jr. Generals: The Jr. Generals, who went 1-3 at the NA3HL Showcase, righted the ship this past weekend in a home sweep of the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks. Goaltender Anders Franke was named the NA3HL’s #2 star of the week for his heroics over the weekend. This weekend, the Jr. Generals take the trip South to Toledo for a pair of games against the Cherokee.

Granite City Lumberjacks: After going a perfect 3-0 at the NA3HL Showcase, the Lumberjacks got a weekend off from action and have a very light December schedule. Granite City plays in just two more games before the New Year, with the first coming this weekend on Sunday in a lone game against Breezy Point.

Metro Jets: The Jets split a weekend home-and-home series with the Michigan Mountain Cats this past weekend in where each team won their respective home games. After a 4-3 loss on Saturday, the Jets rebounded with a 3-1 home win on Sunday, as Alex Nedeljkovic made 34 saves in the win. This weekend, the Jets face Cleveland on the road in a pair of games.

Michigan Mountain Cats: The Mountain Cats, who went 0-4 at the NA3HL Showcase, rebounded with a 1-1 weekend last week. On Saturday, the Cats defeated the Metro Jets, 4-3 as leading scorer Guy Soulliere scored the game-winning goal. On Sunday, they fell 3-1 to the Jets. This weekend, the Cats face a hot Three Rivers team for a pair of home games on Friday and Saturday.

Minnesota Flying Aces: The Flying Aces, who posted a very good Showcase record of 3-0-1, lost their lone game last weekend, which was a 7-0 road loss at North Iowa. Christian Michalik made 28 saves in the loss as Minnesota was outshot 35-16. This weekend, the Flying Aces will host Twin City on Friday and make a return trip to North Iowa on Saturday.

North Iowa Bulls: The Bulls, who last suffered a regulation loss back on October 28th, kept their momentum rolling from a perfect 4-0 NA3HL Showcase as they picked up big wins over Minnesota and Twin City over the weekend by a combined 17-3 score. Forward Eric Behrend was named the league’s #3 star for his offensive efforts. This weekend, the Bulls travel to Alexandria on Friday and host Minnesota on Saturday.

Peoria Mustangs: After a 6-0 shutout win on Saturday, where goalie Alex Reichle made 20 saves, the Mustangs fell short on Saturday in a 4-3 loss. Brennan Anderson had a goal and an assist in the loss. This weekend, the Mustangs renew their rivalry with their neighbor to the west as they host Quad City for a pair of games.

Quad City Jr. Flames: After picking up a win on the final day of the NA3HL Showcase in Blaine, the Jr. Flames returned to action in a weekend road series in Alexandria, where they were swept in two games by scores of 3-1 and 8-0. Harley Manus had the lone goal over the weekend for the Jr. Flames. This weekend, Quad City makes the short trip east to take on the Peoria Mustangs.

Queen City Steam: After going 2-2 at the NA3HL Showcase, the Steam faced a tough challenge in a weekend road series in St. Louis last week. In Saturday’s 4-2 loss, Trevor Knoll and Damien Lona had the goals for the Steam. On Sunday, the Steam were shutout by the Jr. Blues, 5-0. This weekend, the Steam return home to take on the Battle Creek Revolution in a pair of games.

St. Louis Jr. Blues: Over the weekend, the Jr. Blues extended their NA3HL season-high winning streak to 18 straight games with a home sweep of the Queen City Steam. On Saturday, Cody Guidorzi scored twice in a 4-2 win. On Sunday, Mikael Broliden made 22 save in a 5-0 shutout. This weekend, the Jr. Blues get a weekend off before traveling to Michigan on December 21-22.

Three Rivers Vengeance: The Vengeance have won six of their last seven games thanks to a sweep of the Toledo Cherokee this past weekend. Nico Vecchio was named the NA3HL’s #1 star of the week thanks to his seven point effort over the weekend in wins of 5-2 and 5-4. This weekend, the Vengeance look to keep their momentum going with a trip to Michigan for a pair of games.

Toledo Cherokee: The Cherokee posted a very respectable 2-1 record at the NA3HL Showcase, but fell in their next set of games this past weekend as they were swept on the road by Three Rivers. Jordan Prewitt had goals in both games. This weekend, the Cherokee will host a pair of home games on Friday and Sunday against the Flint Jr. Generals.

Twin City Steel: The Steel, who were coming off another strong showing at the NA3HL Showcase with an undefeated 3-0 record, fell 10-3 in their lone game this past weekend in North Iowa on Saturday. Trey Hughes scored twice in the loss. This weekend, the Steel have just one game on the road on Friday against the Minnesota Flying Aces.