Friday Finals: Peoria Powers Past Minnesota for First Win

Photo: Chris Baumgardner

New Hampshire 8 @ Norwich 1 - The East Division had an exciting afternoon matchup between the division-leading Jr. Mountain Kings and the fifth-place Sea Captains. It did not take long for the action to get started as Simon Langenegger of the Jr. Mountain Kings scored the first tally of the game, giving them the early lead. Norwich was quick to answer with a goal of their own by Lukas Sobczak. The two teams continued to trade chances in the first period until Liam Boyle would find the back of the net, giving the Jr. Mountain Kings the early 2-1 lead going into intermission. The Jr. Mountain Kings wasted no time adding to their lead at the start of the second with Noah Levesque netting an even-strength goal. The Sea Captains attempted to even the score, but Risdon Baynard-Fernhall turned away 15 shots in the period. Andrew Chandler of the Jr. Mountain Kings would add another goal, bringing the game to 4-1 and giving the Jr. Mountain Kings a commanding lead heading to the third. The final period was nothing short of exciting, with the Jr. Mountain Kings netting four goals scored by Nick Brophy, Jacob Landry, Anthony Ayala, and Noah Levesque. Levesque tallied his second goal of the contest, and New Hampshire claimed a dominant 8-1 victory. Norwich looks to bounce back tomorrow against the New Jersey Titans.

Texas R 6 @ Bayou State 2 - This Southeast division matchup featured the first-place RoadRunners and the fifth-place Rougarou. The RoadRunners enter this matchup having won six games in a row and boasting a 9-1 record in their last 10 games. They look to continue their success on the road at the Monroe Civic Center. The RoadRunners started the scoring early with William Heskett scoring an unassisted goal. The two teams traded chances for the rest of the period until the Rougarou were awarded a power play off a penalty. Lukas Kolka let go a blistering shot from the point to tie the game up 1-1. The RoadRunners were quick to answer back with their own power-play goal. Lucas Dyer scored a one-timer goal from the point, beating Jared Lang over the glove side. The RoadRunners were not done quite yet, with Jayden Hitt adding another goal before the end of the period, bringing the score to 3-1. The RoadRunners kicked off the middle frame with chance after chance to notch another goal; however, Bayou State’s Jared Lang turned away the onslaught of chances. On the power play, RoadRunners’ William Heskett would break the ice, earning his second goal of the game, assisted by Wyatt Mineheine. In the final minute of the period, Wyatt Mineheine would get a goal of his own, bringing the score to 5-1, sending the RoadRunners into intermission with a commanding lead. The RoadRunners continued the pressure in the third with both teams skating at four aside for most of the beginning of the final period. Mineheine would earn his second goal of the night at the 9:01 mark, bringing the game to 6-1. Ethan Tierman of the Rougarou would add a late tally with under a minute left, but the RoadRunners' lead would be too much. The RoadRunners would earn the 6-2 win.

Long Beach 4 @ Buzz 5 - The East Division brings yet another exciting matchup with the Sharks and the Buzz being tight in the standings at second and third place. The Sharks come into this matchup with a 5-5-0 record in their last 10, while the Buzz hold an 8-2-0 record. The two teams faced off at the LeCom Events Center, and the action started right away from the drop of the puck. With the back-and-forth action, both teams fought to get the first strike on the scoreboard. Off a Long Beach penalty, Ilya Baldin would give the Buzz a 1-0 lead on the power play. The Sharks would fight their way back, notching the tying goal at the 3:59 mark with Ryder Pisiak scoring his third of the season. The Buzz would not let the game stay tied for long as Theo Fritz scored his second of the season, giving them a 2-1 lead. Less than a minute later, Jace Tourtillott of the Sharks would score the tying goal. The Sharks were not quite done yet, with Wyatt Strahan adding another tally with just a minute left in the period, bringing the score to 3-2. The second period continues with the action, with Long Beach dominating in the shot department, getting 16 total in the period. Buzz’s Dalton Elliott would turn away all the shots from the Sharks. At the 4:43 mark, Yaromir Chicherin of the Buzz would tie the game up with his fourth goal of the season. The second period would end at a tight 3-3 score, setting up for an exciting third period. The Sharks would waste no time taking the early lead with Wyatt Strahan scoring his second of the game, assisted by Eli McCarthy and Ryder Pisiak. Keegan Elliott of the Buzz would be quick to answer, tying the game back up at 4-4 with a goal. The two teams would continue to battle until Jaylen Nurse of the Buzz would score the go-ahead goal with just seven minutes left in the game. The Sharks would get close to tying the game, but Dalton Elliott would stand tall, giving the Buzz the 5-4 win.

Louisiana 10 @ Carolina 2 - The undefeated Drillers come into The Ice Station in Greer, South Carolina, looking to take on the Rage. The Drillers wasted no time taking the early lead with Brody Neish scoring at the 13:16 mark of the first period. The Drillers would continue their pressure as Emerson Laroche added another tally, bringing the game to 2-0. The Rage would not go out without a fight. Carolina’s James Parnell added a tally to cut the lead in half, 2-1. Less than 30 seconds later, Neish of the Drillers would add his second of the game to bring the score to 3-1 to end the first. The second frame was a slow period with both goalies turning away early chances for both teams. Carter Gnau would break the ice for the Drillers at the halfway point of the period. Dylan Crossley would add another goal for the Drillers, bringing the game to 5-1, setting up a dominant performance from Louisiana. The Drillers wasted no time in the third frame, adding to their lead with Brayden Pelcl scoring an early goal, bringing the game to 6-1. Less than 20 seconds later, Crossley would add his second of the game, assisted by Matthew Killen and Carter Gnau. The Rage were not out of the game quite yet with Anderson Cornwell scoring his sixth of the season to bring the score to 7-2. However, the Drillers were quick to add more to the lead with back-to-back goals by Matthew Killen to bring the game to 9-2. Neish would notch his hat trick goal at the 3:26 mark to bring the final score to 10-2 for the undefeated Drillers.

West Bend 4 @ Rochester 1 - The West Bend Power took on the Rochester Grizzlies in a thrilling matchup at Rochester Recreation Center last night. The Power dominated tonight in a thrilling 4-1 victory that extended their win streak to four games. Grant Schiable got West Bend on the board first with a goal scored off of assists by Shaun Paulson and Cole Craft in the opening frame. The Power then extended their lead in the second period with a powerplay goal by Adam Sexton from a pass by Jace Fitzgerald. The Grizzlies responded in the final frame with an unassisted goal scored by Jackson Bielenberg-Howarth, but the Power were not done yet. They ended the night with two more points scored by Blake Kohnen and Craft, ensuring the victory with a three point lead. Peter Burke was the star of tonight’s game as he defended West Bend between the pipes with 38 saves. Callum Keating earned the third star for the night with 19 saves for Rochester.

Peoria 8 @ Minnesota W 4 - The Peoria Mustangs defeated the Minnesota Wilderness in an action-packed 8-4 victory at Hippodrome. Brant Tiedman kicked off the scoring for the Wilderness with his goal in the first frame to open the contest, and Kai Yurichuk notched another in to give Minnesota the early lead. Peoria quickly responded with back-to-back goals scored by Brendon Miller and Nick Martin to end the first period tied up at 2. Nathan Pleva started a busy middle frame with his goal for Peoria, scored off a pass by Miller. Minnesota responded with one goal this frame thanks to Tommy Perkins, but Peoria ended the period up by two as Miller and Gruden each made their way to the net. The Mustangs continued to dominate offensively in the third, with Wyatt Duke and Miller each scoring goals to start the frame. Yurichuk then scored his second goal of the night for Minnesota, but the Wilderness were not able to come back from Peoria’s scoring frenzy. Miller ensured the win for the Mustangs with an unassisted goal to end the night–his fourth of the contest. Jakub Stary had a productive night defending Peoria with 36 saves in net, while Liam Fish and Blake Belden had a combined 15 saves for Minnesota.

Granite City 5 @ Minnesota M 3 - The Minnesota Moose opened the scoring late in the first period. Luach Salak fired a shot from the top of the circle that was turned aside, but Brady Johnson pounced on the loose puck and fed Will Burnevik, who buried it to make it 1–0. Granite City tied it with under 30 seconds remaining, as Eli Jensen carried the puck over the blue line and set up Colton Wassengeso, who ripped a shot over the far-side pad to even the score heading into the intermission. Minnesota wasted no time reclaiming the lead to start the second. Just 53 seconds in, Brady Johnson found George Erickson at the point, and Erickson walked into the top of the circle before snapping a shot past the Granite City netminder. Granite City answered with a surge of their own, scoring three straight. Eli Tiernan created the first by stripping the puck in the high slot and feeding Jace Kampsula for the equalizer. Moments later, Carter Oothoudt took advantage of a breakaway opportunity and scored unassisted to put Granite City ahead for the first time. Oothoudt then struck again midway through the period, finishing a cross-ice feed from Tiernan to stretch the lead to 4–2.Minnesota cut the deficit to one before the second intermission when Will Cymbaluck found Brady Johnson alone in the slot for a quick strike. The third period saw both teams battle hard, but the defenses held, until Oothoudt sealed the game with his third of the night, completing the hat trick and securing the win for Granite City. Gabe Otis finished with 24 saves for Minnesota, while Jannes Kamp stopped 34 shots in the win for Granite City.

Mason City 2 @ Alexandria 3 (OT) - The Alexandria Blizzard struck first midway through the opening period. Landyn Randt dropped a pass to Caleb Waller, who quickly returned it, allowing Randt to redirect the puck past the Toros goaltender for a 1–0 lead. Mason City came out energized in the second, scoring twice to take control. Jason Williams sprung T.J. Gibson through the middle for a breakaway, and Gibson finished to tie the game 1–1. Moments later, Gibson carried the puck off the hashmarks and fired a shot toward the net, where Christian Plaga got the tip to put the Toros ahead 2–1. Alexandria answered immediately, as Blake Breiland forced a turnover in the slot and found Kaden Roness at the back post for the tap-in, sending the game into the second intermission tied 2–2. Both teams tightened up defensively in the third, keeping the game scoreless and forcing overtime. The extra frame didn’t last long. Less than 30 seconds in, Easton Schmit connected with Caleb Waller at the blue line, and Waller stepped in and buried the game-winner for the Blizzard. Anton Widas made 30 saves in net for Mason City, while Jayden Serene stopped 25 shots to earn the win for Alexandria.

Wisconsin 0 @ Wausau 4 - The Wausau Cyclones delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over the Wisconsin Woodsmen at Marathon Park, continuing their winning streak and enhancing their impressive season record. The Cyclones dominated the third period with a flurry of goals, all four scored in this segment of the game. Brady Faille was a fortress in goal, achieving a shutout with 32 saves, ensuring the Woodsmen's attempts were fruitless. Jackson Schroeder emerged as a standout performer, contributing a goal and two assists. Eiji Hofmann and Elijah Von Gunten also shone, each adding to the scoreboard with goals, while Brayden Ernst and Schroeder's power play goal emphasized the Cyclones’ strategic prowess. Despite a valiant effort from Lleyton Jaschke, who faced 33 shots, the Woodsmen couldn't break through Wausau's robust defense. The Cyclones' power play efficiency was on display with two goals out of six opportunities, contrasting sharply with the Woodsmen's inability to convert their three power plays.

New Mexico 3 @ Austin 2 - The Austin Ice Bats wasted no time getting on the board, striking less than two minutes into the game. Garrett Morris worked the puck down low and found Paul Wiese in the circle, who sent a cross-ice pass to Liam Cardona for the finish and an early 1–0 lead. New Mexico answered late in the period when Grant Sexton sprung Tanner Ross behind the defense, and Ross buried his chance to send the game into the first intermission tied 1–1. The Ice Wolves controlled the second period, scoring twice to take the lead. Brock Seeger moved the puck to Calahan Butler at the point, and Butler fired a shot that Zachary Polkes redirected in front to make it 2–1. Shortly after, Christopher Mason followed up his own rebound and knocked it home to extend the advantage. Austin clawed back late in the frame. Garrett Morris drove down the boards and fed Mason Manderfield crashing into the slot, where he fired a shot past the New Mexico goaltender to cut the deficit to one heading into the third. However, the Ice Wolves held strong the rest of the way, securing the 3–2 win. Tyler White stopped 26 shots for Austin, while Joshua Middleton turned aside 34 to earn the victory for New Mexico.

Tulsa 1 @ El Paso 14 - El Paso came out firing, dominating the first period with four goals in the opening twenty minutes. Carter Lehmann started the scoring with an unassisted strike, followed by Kenneth Cadwallader burying a feed from Carter Tuplin at the top of the slot. Julian Cortez-Martinez made it 3–0 shortly after, and just ten seconds later, Nick Nunez added another off a setup from Aldiyar Irik to cap off a commanding first period. The Rhinos continued their momentum in the second, adding five more to the scoreboard. Huero Rivera opened the frame, taking a pass from Parker Brinner and picking the top corner. Brinner then found the back of the net himself moments later, assisted by Rivera and Donovan Bradford. Britton Oldham added another less than a minute later, off a setup from Cortez-Martinez, stretching the lead to 6–0. Oldham, Tuplin, and Bradford each tallied again before the period ended, sending El Paso into the third with a 9–0 advantage. Tulsa broke the shutout just 18 seconds into the third when Caleb Gamboa capitalized on a turnover in the high slot. But El Paso answered quickly and decisively, going on another five-goal run. Lehmann, Tuplin, Cadwallader, and Oldham each scored, with Lehmann adding one more late to close out the night. Jack Salverson and David Grifford combined for 33 saves in net for Tulsa, while Brayden Macko stopped 17 shots to earn the win for El Paso.

Sheridan 1 @ Great Falls 3 - The Great Falls Americans hosted the division-leading Sheridan Hawks in a Friday night matchup that started with a scoreless first period. However, Keifer Lundmark made sure the visitors did not get too comfortable, taking the puck through some heavy traffic to get the Americans on the board first. Less than a minute later, Jase Troyer found the back of the Hawks’ net to extend the lead. Both goals marked the first of the season for Lundmark and Troyer, sending the Americans into the third period with a 2-0 advantage. Tallon Caron, one of the Americans’ top goal scorers, would finish off the Americans’ scoring for the night with a power-play goal. Sheridan answered back with a lone goal from Derrek Laite, with less than five minutes left in the game, but the effort came too late. First star of the game, Kaden Rhyder, manned the crease for Great Falls making a total of 49 saves to secure the Americans’ 3-1 victory.

Gillette 4 @ Helena 1 - ​​The Gillette Wild conquered in this action-packed match against the Helena Bighorns. Friday’s 4-1 win marked the third in a row for the Wild, who started the scoring on the power play. Gillette’s first of the night came from Rocco Corl assisted by Riley Schmidt and Beau Delich. Gillette spent a good portion of this game on the penalty kill, but that certainly did not faze Delich, who scored a short-handed goal for the Wild in the second. The intensity ramped up in the final period with a single goal from the Bighorns, Ty Schell’s fourth of the season. Gillette responded with a roar, putting two more goals on the board from Peyton Marty and Caden Graham to seal their 4-1 win over the Bighorns. 

Yellowstone 6 @ Bozeman 4 - The Yellowstone Quake shook things up in their trip to Bozeman to take on the Ice Dogs, getting the action started early with a power-play goal from Tucker Sarkisian less than two minutes into the first period. The Ice Dogs answered back quickly with goals from Lex Steckelberg and Andrew Kaunas, before Yellowstone’s Chance Bryson wrapped up the scoring in the opening frame. Steckelberg showed the Quake why he is one of the Ice Dogs’ best, scoring again in the second. This was followed by a goal from Yellowstone’s London Jett to keep these teams tied going into the final 20 minutes. Yellowstone regained their lead with back-to-back goals from Bryson and Tagen Stout on the same power play. Sam Trufant scored Bozeman’s fourth and final goal of the night before Shayne Smith sealed the deal with Yellowstone’s final goal. Yellowstone's goaltender, Gavan Norton, turned aside 44 of 48 shots to secure a 6-4 victory for the Quake.

Badlands 1 @ Butte 5 - The Butte Irish successfully defended their home ice in a Frontier Division matchup against the Badlands Sabres. The Irish played a fiery game and scored five unanswered goals before the Sabres made it on the board. Alexander Wainio had a standout night, completing a hat trick with a goal in each period. Andrew James and Easton Langemo scored Butte's other two goals of the night, both in the second. Ethan Seanor was the only one from the Badlands able to slip the puck past Mathieu Chernauckas, earning the Sabres their lone goal of the night. Chernauckas played a phenomenal game for the Irish between the pipes, keeping the puck out of the net in a game where the Sabres outshot the Irish 50-37 to give the Irish this 5-1 win.