Ice Wolves Win in Overtime while Power and Lumberjacks Advance
by Brian Gornick
Calahan Butler scored twice, including the overtime winner for New Mexico while the Power and Lumberjacks are on to the semifinals
New Mexico 4 @ West Bend 3 (OT) - Overtime between the New Mexico Ice Wolves and West Bend Power lasted only 15 seconds, with the former winning its first ever game in the robin round. Calahan Butler drew first blood for the Ice Wolves two minutes into regulation, but Teagan Scheurer tied it two minutes after. The Ice Wolves still exited the first period with a 2-1 lead, after retaking it thanks to team-leading scorer Kyle Mackintosh. Both team’s defenses tightened their game in the second period, with Issa Murakami scoring off a one-timer on the power play. Down two goals entering the third, the Power surged to tie the game midway. Kelly Coldwater unassisted brought them within one, and Jackson Hoem scored his 34th of the season to tie the game. Despite carrying the momentum into the overtime period, it was quickly deflated when Butler ended the game as he converted on a Brant Tiedeman pass off a turnover.
Binghamton 1 @ Granite City 6 - The 25 game winning streak for the Binghamton Buzz came to a close yesterday as the Granite City Lumberjacks’ power play scored five goals on seven trips. Three goals all came within the final 1:30 of the first period. Easton Portner ripped one off a pass from behind the net, giving the Lumberjacks the lead. TJ Lepisto was credited with a goal off a deflection from Dominic Thomas’ shot, and Patty Dunaiski scored the final goal of the period. Dunaiski found Lepisto early in the second period on the power play, the latter scoring off a cross ice pass for his second goal of the game. Lepisto returned the favor, assisting Dunaiski for his second goal and the only Lumberjacks goal not scored with a man advantage. The final goal of the second got the Buzz on the board, Ethan Miller avoiding the shutout for his team. To cap off a statement victory, Lepisto on another power play in the third period secured his third goal and the hat trick.
