Saturday Scores: Oilers Grab First Win

Photo: Brooke Niver

New Jersey 1 @ New Hampshire 10 - In a dominant display at the Delta Dental Arena, the New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings crushed the New Jersey Titans 10-1, continuing their unbeaten run this season. The Jr. Mountain Kings were led by an exceptional performance from Jacob Landry, who notched a hat-trick and added four assists, securing the first star of the game with a total of seven points. Noah Levesque also impressed, scoring twice and assisting on four other goals, earning the second star. The home team set the pace early, scoring four goals in the first period. Talon Schackman added to New Hampshire's tally with a hat-trick of his own, underscoring the team's offensive prowess. Sedrick Swygert Jr., the third star, contributed significantly with a goal and two assists. New Hampshire's power play was potent, capitalizing three times on seven opportunities, while the Titans managed just one power-play goal from Miles Lara. Risdon Baynard-Fernhall was solid in net for the Jr. Mountain Kings, making 11 saves on 12 shots.

Texas R 4 @ Carolina 0 - In a lopsided contest at The Ice Station Greer, the Texas RoadRunners continued their dominant form, shutting out the Carolina Rage 4-0. This victory marks the RoadRunners' fourth consecutive win over the Rage this season, maintaining their perfect record against them. Despite the Rage's home advantage, they struggled to find the back of the net, with the RoadRunners' goaltender, Calum Hartner, securing another shutout, contributing to his season record of three shutouts. The RoadRunners' offense was spearheaded by Wyatt Mineheine and Lucas Dyer, both leading their team with 17 goals and 29 points respectively this season.

New Mexico 4 @ Tulsa 5 (SO) - In an intense showdown at WeStreet Arena, the Tulsa Oilers clinched a dramatic 5-4 shootout victory over the New Mexico Ice Wolves, marking their first win of the season. Tulsa's Montana Medina shone brightly, scoring twice, including a power-play goal, and securing the first star of the game. Chase Boswell and Caleb Gamboa also found the net for Tulsa, with Boswell and Gamboa excelling in the shootout to seal the victory. Willy Fischer, with three assists, was pivotal in setting up crucial plays, earning him three points on the night. The Oilers' goaltender, David Gifford, stood tall against 29 shots, making 25 saves and keeping his team in contention, especially during the tense shootout. For the Ice Wolves, Jacob Wenner and Calahan Butler led the charge, both contributing significantly to their side's four goals. Despite their offensive efforts, New Mexico fell short in the shootout, failing to convert crucial attempts.

Binghamton 6 @ Long Beach 2 - Binghamton cruised to a 6-2 victory over Long Beach, led by a standout performance from forward Tannan Nenninger, who scored a hat trick and added an assist. The first period featured a back-and-forth exchange of goals. Nenninger opened the scoring for Binghamton with an assist from Chris Hannah. However, Long Beach quickly responded as Spencer Nicoloff found the net, assisted by Jay Montgomery and Eli McCarthy. Later in the period, Nenninger struck again, this time with assists from Keegan Elliott and Seamus Bihari, giving Binghamton a 2-1 lead at the first intermission. In the second period, Binghamton took complete control of the game. Preston Peterson scored what would be the game-winning goal, assisted by Nenninger, before Nenninger completed his hat trick with an unassisted goal, increasing the lead to 4-1. Long Beach managed to reduce the deficit early in the third period with a goal from Jack Plummer, set up by James Steinberg and James DiTommaso. However, the Buzz tightened their defense and ultimately secured the 6-2 victory.

Maine 5 @ Norwich 2 - The Maine Nordiques sailed past the Norwich Sea Captains with a 5–2 win, ignited by a strong third period and a standout performance from goalie Ayden Linville. Linville was rock solid between the pipes, stopping 50 of 52 shots as Norwich applied consistent pressure all night. Despite being outshot 52–34, the Nordiques stayed opportunistic, converting key chances and pulling away late. Trenton Impens got Norwich on the board with a second-period power-play goal, briefly tying the game 1–1. However, Maine answered quickly, putting the game out of reach with three goals in the third.

El Paso 2 @ Austin 4 - In a rematch from Friday night's game, the El Paso Rhinos looked to get one back from the Austin Ice Bats on Saturday night. After a scoreless first period, El Paso lit the scoreboard with a power play goal scored by Kenneth Cadwallader to take the lead 1-0 into the second intermission. It was all Ice Bats in the third, though; they scored four goals in the period to steal the win from the Rhinos, 4-2.

Wausau 2 @ Minnesota M 0 - The Wausau Cyclones defeated the Minnesota Moose 2–0 Saturday night, thanks to a strong defensive performance and solid goaltending. After a scoreless first period, Wausau found the net in the second period when Zachary Pagel capitalized on a loose puck to score an unassisted goal. In the third period, Jackson Schroeder added an insurance goal, also unassisted, extending Wausau's lead to 2-0. Wausau's defense remained steady for the rest of the game, securing both the victory and the shutout.

Willmar 1 @ Alexandria 3 - The Blizzard skated past the WarHawks in a 3–1 win, which was powered by a big second period and strong goaltending from Jayden Serene. After a scoreless first frame, the Blizzard gained life in the second. Grady Stallman opened the scoring at 4:17. Then, just minutes later, Caleb Waller added another tally to the scoreboard. Willmar answered quickly with a goal from Gabe Adams, but that would be their only offense of the night. Easton Schmit contributed a third goal for the Alexandria squad in the final period, giving the Blizzard a comfortable cushion. The Blizzard outshot Willmar 37–23, and Serene stood tall in net, making 22 saves.

Wisconsin 3 @ West Bend 8 - West Bend truly proved they have the power after the offensive clinic they put on last night. West Bend overwhelmed the Wisconsin Woodsmen 8–3 with a relentless 55-shot barrage and a five-goal explosion in the second period. Tied 1–1 after the first, West Bend took control in the middle frame, scoring five unanswered goals — including two from Shaun Paulson and the eventual game-winner off his stick at 13:48. Andrew Sparacino had a standout night, securing a goal and three assists. Despite a few flashes from the Woodsmen — including two goals from Jacob Kolker — the Wisconsin team struggled to maintain momentum, managing only 18 shots in total. 

Mason City 3 @ Granite City 4 (OT) - The Mason City Toros squared up for a rematch from Friday night against the Granite City Lumberjacks tonight. In another tight game, seven total goals were scored in this one. Carter Oothoudt and Garrett Plaude lit the lamp early in the first for the Lumberjacks. The Toros would respond later in the first, leaving the first period 2-1. The Toros owned the second period, scoring once on the power play. Giving them a 3-2 advantage heading into the final frame. Riley Berg would tie the game with a shorthanded goal in the third for the Lumberjacks, sending the game to overtime. Colton Wassengeso dented the twine in overtime to maintain the Lumberjacks' perfect record this season and get the win, 4-3, over Mason City.

Peoria 1 @ St. Louis 7 - The Peoria Mustangs hit the road on Saturday night, looking to pick up their first win this season against the St. Louis Jr. Blues. St. Louis got off to a hot start in this one, and they didn’t cool down throughout the game. They ripped off 38 shots on goal and tallied seven goals. The love was shared on the ice, as all seven goals were scored by different members of the Jr. Blues. St. Louis would take this one, 7-1, and improve to 5-1 on the season.

Helena 4 @ Gillette 1 - Helena continued their strong start to the season with a 4-1 victory over Gillette on Saturday night, thanks to an outstanding performance from Austin Uecker, who recorded a hat trick and scored the game-winning goal. After a tight first period, Uecker opened the scoring for Helena with assistance from Blake Chapman, giving them a 1-0 lead. Gillette responded early in the second period with a power-play goal from Riley Schmidt, his first of the season, which was assisted by Beau Delich and Max Arlt, leveling the score at 1-1. Uecker quickly regained the momentum for Helena, scoring again later in the second period with a setup from Austin Tyler, marking that goal as the game-winner. Helena pulled ahead in the third period when Uecker completed his hat trick on the power play, assisted by Chapman and Breck Buettner. Chapman then added another power-play goal, assisted by Caden Feinstein and Buettner, sealing the 4-1 victory.

Great Falls 4 @ Yellowstone 1 - The Great Falls Americans came out firing and did not back down, achieving a dominant 4–1 victory over the Yellowstone Quake. Great Falls’ Reid Lezubski stole the show with two goals, as the American squad jumped to an early 2–1 lead. Cole Murphy stood tall in net for the Americans, turning away 34 of 35 shots, while his teammates peppered Quake goalie Damen Baxter with 45 shots of their own. Yellowstone's lone goal came early from Shayne Smith, who scored unassisted in the first period. However, Quake couldn't catch a sneak past Murphy again, even with a late push in the third. The Americans sealed their win with their final two goals in the second by Lezubski and Tallon Caron. 

Bozeman 3 @ Badlands 2 (OT) - The Bozeman Icedogs narrowly defeated the Badlands Sabres, 3-2, in overtime on Saturday night after a thrilling back-and-forth game at Roosevelt Park Ice Arena. The first period ended scoreless, but in the second period, Kyvan Jahner put Badlands on the board with assists from Oliver Giles and Ethan Seanor. Bozeman responded late in the period, with Devin Bruns scoring, assisted by Alex Brello. The teams exchanged goals once again in the third period. Patrick Gosselin reclaimed the lead for Badlands with help from Jahner and Rhylan Olson. However, Jacob Larned quickly evened the score at 2-2 with an unassisted goal. Just six seconds into overtime, Lex Steckelberg clinched the victory for Bozeman with the game-winning goal, assisted by Andrew Kaunas.

Sheridan 8 @ Butte 2 - The Sheridan Hawks and the Butte Irish met for the second time this weekend on Saturday night. Sheridan took the first game and got off to a hot start in this one as well. Sheridan lit the lamp three times in the first and tallied the first goal of the second period. Butte would score two goals in this one, but that was no match for the Hawks' 59 shots on goal, which led to 8 total goals for Sheridan. In the end, the Hawks' high-powered offense was too much for the Irish, as Sheridan would sweep the weekend and take this one as well, 8-2 over Butte.