Sunday Wrap-Up: Wausau Bounces Back
by Camryn Connors
New Mexico 7 @ Atlanta 0 - The New Mexico Ice Wolves dominated the Atlanta Capitals with a commanding 7-0 victory. Dantae Hunziker opened the scoring early in the first, capitalizing on a power play. New Mexico took full control in the second period with four straight power-play goals. Jack Arnold kicked off the scoring, followed by two back-to-back goals from Issa Murakami. Kyle Mackintosh added another later on to extend the lead. Hunziker struck again early in the third, finishing off the team’s power-play success. Liam Mooney sealed the win with the only even-strength goal of the night, securing the win for the Ice Wolves. Atlanta’s goaltender Robert Pogosyan saved 38 out of the 45, while New Mexico’s Ryan Wallin saved all 19 shots he faced, earning himself a shutout.
Wausau 4 @ St. Louis 2 - The Wausau Cyclones secured a strong road win over the St. Louis Jr. Blues on Sunday evening. Landon Bechtolt kicked off the scoring for the Cyclones early in the first, and Micah Saxon doubled their lead early in the second. Jack Plager responded for St. Louis keeping it a one-goal game heading into the third. Wausau found the back of the net twice in the final period with power-play goals from Cullen Grahek and Bechtolt. Jack Reuss added a late goal for the Blues, but it wasn’t enough to create a comeback.
New Hampshire 4 @ New Jersey 2 - The New Hampshire Mountain Kings arose victorious against the New Jersey Titans on Sunday night. Juno Ryu opened the scoring on the power play for New Jersey, but Jason Audet responded with a power-play goal of his own for New Hampshire. Adrian Marek then struck shorthanded giving the Titans the lead heading into the second. Cameron Fanfa tied things up on the power play early in the second, and Bryce Yates gave the Mountain Kings their first lead late in the period. Fanfa sealed the win with another power-play goal in the third, securing a solid road victory for New Hampshire.
Great Falls 6 @ Bozeman 7 - The Bozeman Icedogs secured a thrilling victory in a shootout against the Great Falls Americans. Tyler Klingbeil set the pace early, scoring two back-to-back goals to put Bozeman ahead. Devin Bruns responded for Great Falls, but John Lang struck moments later keeping the Ice Dogs in the lead at the end of the first. Bozeman extended their lead in the second, with Lex Steckelberg scoring just 24 seconds in. Later in the period, Spencer Wilkinson netted a shorthanded goal to increase the lead, but Cal Laggis answered late for Great Falls. The Americans fought back in the final frame, with Fisher Hannesson, Jase Troyer, and Jayden Rogen all finding the back of the net to shift momentum. Ty O’Bey added a late power-play goal, but Reid Wilkinson responded for Bozeman with less than a minute left to force overtime.After a scoreless extra period, the game went to a shootout. Spencer Wilkinson netted the lone goal, sealing the 7-6 victory for the Icedogs.
Minnesota 6 @ Mason City 1 - The Minnesota Moose claimed a decisive 6-1 win over the Mason City Toros. Luke Steffen opened the scoring for the Moose, off of assists by Reid Watson and Blake Lokken. In the second period, Easton Simpson extended Minnesota’s lead with assists from Steffen and Watson. Mason City’s Sam Menne responded with a goal, but Minnesota quickly retaliated back. Reid Watson scored next, assisted by Steffen. Simpson added his second goal of the night, again with Steffen assisting. The Moose finished strong in the third, with Owen Meyer scoring twice to seal their road victory.
