Friday Finals: Cherokee double up Cleveland
Toledo Cherokee 6 @ Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks 3: The Toledo Cherokee did not let a two goal deficit phase them as they came out of the locker room and had a huge 2nd period scoring four goals giving them the lead for the rest of the game. The Jr. Lumberjacks leaped out to a three-goal lead with goals from Nick Balavich, Alex Buban and Stefan Horgas. It was the Toledo Cherokee that answered in a big way as they scored four times in the 2nd period to counter act the Cleveland offense. It was forward Dominic Antonelli that had a big night for the Cherokee as he tallied a goal and two assists in the middle frame as well as the empty netter to seal the win. Boxscore
North Iowa Bulls 7 @ Alexandria Blizzard 5: Richie Marenis scored his third and most important goal of the night on the power play with less than five minutes left in the 3rd period to keep the North Iowa Bulls undefeated record intact. The Blizzard were down by two going into the final frame until offensive stalwart Joe Anderson struck for two goals to tie the game at 5-5. The North Iowa Bulls took advantage of a Blizzard hooking penalty as Marenis potted his 16th goal of the year to seal the victory for the Bulls. Boxscore
Minnesota Flying Aces 2 @ Granite City Lumberjacks 7: The Granite City Lumberjacks received goals from seven different players to defeat the Minnesota Flying Aces in convincing fashion. Granite City defenseman Tim Brown led the way as he scored a goal and added two assists to lead the Lumberjack with 3 points. Earning a two goal lead into the middle frame it was the 2nd period when Granite City secured the victory as they scored three goals in the middle frame to go up by four. Minnesota leading goal scorer Jake Mullendore got his 10th goal of the year to start the 3rd but it wasn’t enough as the Lumberjacks still managed the five-goal victory. Boxscore
Breezy Point North Stars 1 @ Twin City Steel 2 (OT): Twin City forward Tony Arias made sure the home fans went home happy as he potted the overtime winner just 1:16 into the extra frame to give Twin City the 2-1 victory. Twin City led for the majority of the game after Jace Childs got a 1st period goal less than five minutes from the opening puck drop. It wasn’t until Breezy Point forward Jason Pischke found the back of the net on the power play that Twin City had to worry. Cue the heroics from Arias as he took a pass from Tanner Duffney and put the puck home to give Twin City the overtime victory. Boxscore
Topeka Capitals 1 @ Cincinnati Swords 2: Cincinnati goaltender Joe Sheppard took on 32 shots and turned away all but one to give the Cincinnati Swords a 2-1 victory over the Topeka Capitals. Sheppard managed a two-goal lead that was established early from the Swords that included a goal from Ryan Sete in a shorthanded effort. The Capitals started a comeback attempt as Gregory Ostapchuk scored early in the 3rd period to give Topeka a chance. It was Sheppard saving the day that ended up making 14 saves in the final period to give the Swords the win. Boxscore
Chicago Junior Bulldogs 3 @ Wisconsin Whalers 2 (SO): After the play of Chicago goaltender Michael Krch last weekend it was the play of the other Junior Bulldogs goaltender that stole the show tonight. Joey Garapolo turned in a 40 save performance that includes shutting down four shooters in the shoot out to give the Junior Bulldogs the win. Chicago and Wisconsin swapped goals in the first and third with the last one coming from Wisconsin forward Zach Johnson, which tied up the game for Wisconsin. The extra period went by and it came down to a shootout and Garapolo was rock solid as he paced his team to the victory. Boxscore
