Sunday Wrap Up: Great Falls, Minnesota and Rochester Survive Game 3
by Noah Radomski
Great Falls 1 @ Sheridan 0 (Great Falls wins series 2-1): In a winner-take-all battle for a shot at the next round of the Fraser Cup playoffs, the Great Falls Americans held off the Sheridan Hawks 1-0. The entirety of the game consisted of stellar defense, while Blayne Jusczak netted the only goal 13:12 into the second that wound up being the game winner for Great Falls. Kayden Rhyder was perfect in the crease, padding aside all 31 shots thrown his way to earn the shutout. Despite the loss, John Simon has nothing to hang his head over as he went 35 for 36 in goal. The Americans will now get ready to go head-to-head against the Helena Bighorns in the Division Finals.
Minnesota M 2 @ Alexandria 1 (2OT) (Minnesota wins series 2-1): In yet another exciting matchup to decide who advances to the Division Finals of the Fraser Cup playoffs, the Minnesota Moose took down the Alexandria Blizzard 2-1 in double overtime. Following a scoreless opening period, Eli Fletcher capitalized on his shot to give the Blizzard the lead. Heading into the final minutes of regulation, Sam Knight lit the lamp for the Moose to send the game to overtime. After a back-and-forth showdown between the netminders left the first overtime goalless, Will Burnevik hit the back of the net to send Minnesota to the next round. Dylan Posch was outstanding in the crease, earning the win in his 35-save performance. Despite the loss, Alexandria’s Kyle Abrahamson was sensational, turning aside 37 of 39.
Rochester 5 @ Wausau 1 (Rochester wins series 2-1): Three straight goals to open the game helped the Rochester Grizzlies push past the Wausau Cyclones 5-1 to advance to the next round of the Fraser Cup playoffs. Brody Olson and Noah Joyce opened the scoring for Rochester in the first before Ole Fevold tacked on another to begin the second. Later in the period, Thomas Gerum got the Cyclones on the board. However, it would be the Grizzlies who had the last laugh In this one as Tommy Woods and Noah Gillette sealed the deal late in the third. Backed by Joey Bertram’s 45-save performance, Rochester is now set to face the West Bend Power in the next round of the playoffs.
