Friday Finals: Garrett Plaude of the Lumberjacks, Secures a Hat Trick

Photo Credit: Jason Soria

Norwich 4 @ New Jersey 0 - The Norwich Sea Captains dominated Friday night on the road against the New Jersey Titans, earning a 4–0 victory. The first period was fairly balanced, with Norwich holding a slight edge in shots and scoring chances. However, neither team could find the back of the net, leaving it scoreless after one. It was not until midway through the second period that Norwich broke through. Trenton Impens put home the game’s first goal off assists from Henry Pinkerman and Jake Wilkerson, giving Norwich a 1–0 lead. That score held through the end of the second, though the ice was clearly tilted in Norwich’s favor. In the third, the Sea Captains were relentless. Jaden Mills scored early to extend the lead, assisted by Louis Allanson and Ryan Janik. Impens struck again later in the period to put the game out of reach, and Janik sealed the win with an empty-netter to make it 4–0. In goal, Tony Shaw turned away 40 of 43 shots for New Jersey, keeping his team in the game against a smothering Norwich offense. On the other side, Norwich’s Anderson Weimer earned the shutout and the win, stopping all 23 shots he faced. For Norwich, it marks their seventh victory of the season, while New Jersey will look for answers after suffering their twelfth loss of the campaign.

Long Beach 3 @ New Hampshire 1 - The Long Beach Sharks earned a hard-fought road win Friday night against the New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings, taking the game 3–1. In what was a tightly contested defensive battle, it came down to capitalizing on limited opportunities for both sides. Gustav Martinsson broke through just 37 seconds into the game for Long Beach, giving the Sharks the early lead off an assist from Brendan Dalton. Cade Shafer added to the advantage a few minutes later as Long Beach seized early control. New Hampshire responded later in the period when Taylor Schackman cut the lead in half off a feed from Anthony Ayala. The 2–1 score held through the rest of the first period and nearly all of the second, until Sean Bailey found the back of the net with just four seconds remaining to make it 3–1 heading into the third. In the final period, Long Beach locked things down defensively, holding New Hampshire to just six shots on goal. The Sharks’ structured play and tight checking stifled any chance of a comeback, sealing the 3–1 victory. In net, Risdon Baynard-Fernhall turned away 15 shots for New Hampshire, while Nicklas Walker stopped 12 for Long Beach, anchoring the Sharks’ strong defensive effort. With the win, Long Beach earns its 10th victory of the season, while New Hampshire, now 11-4-1-1, remains one of the top teams in the league despite the loss.

Wausau 5 @ Rochester 2 - The Wausau Cyclones secured an impressive 5–2 victory Friday night against the Rochester Grizzlies. In a back-and-forth battle early on, both teams traded goals before Wausau ultimately pulled away in the final period. In the first, Jackson Maddock opened the scoring for the Cyclones, giving them a 1–0 lead off an assist from Gohm. Early in the second, Baylor Stebbins answered for Rochester, tying the game at one with assists from Landon Dewees and Konnor Goclan. Later in the period, Tucker Greteback reclaimed the lead for Wausau with help from Sean Hall, sending the Cyclones into the third up 2–1. Once again, the Grizzlies fought back early in the third as Tevin Stukel buried the equalizer, assisted by Brett Ludvigsen and Zaden Brua. After the back-and-forth exchanges, Wausau took control late. Jackson Schroeder broke the deadlock with assists from Mario Savino and Elijah Von Gunten, and Lucas Mankoff added another to extend the lead to 4–2, set up by Joel Anderson. Schroeder then sealed the win with an empty-net goal, completing the 5–2 road victory for the Cyclones. In net, Brady Faille was impressive for Wausau, stopping 30 shots to earn the win. Rochester’s Callum Keating turned aside 15 shots but couldn’t slow down Wausau’s late surge. With the win, the Cyclones grab their eighth victory of the season, showing they’re a dangerous team no matter where they play.

Minnesota M  5 @ Minnesota W 2 - In the Battle of Minnesota on Friday night, the Minnesota Moose showcased their offensive firepower, defeating the Minnesota Wilderness team on the road. The Wilderness struck first, grabbing the early lead when Zacary Norberg buried a shot off a pass from Levi Flatley. They carried that 1–0 advantage into the first intermission and appeared in control early. However, the Moose offense exploded in the second period, scoring four unanswered goals to seize control of the game. Preston Gamer tied it up early in the frame, assisted by Jordan Giacomini. Shortly after, Mark Denoyer gave the Moose the lead, with Luca Salak and George Daravingas picking up the helpers. Brady Johnson joined the scoring next, with assists from Will Cymbaluk and Nelson Wodarz. Later in the period, Caleb Schwark capped off the offensive surge, as Daravingas and Denoyer each added another point to their night with assists on the play. In the third, Job Carpenter scored for the Wilderness to make it 4–2 and provide a glimmer of hope. But Johnson put the game away with his second goal of the night, assisted once again by Daravingas, who finished with a three-point performance. Jay Svaren put up a valiant effort in net for the Wilderness, facing 34 shots against a relentless Moose attack. On the winning side, Easton Lemke stopped 23 shots to earn the victory for the Moose, who recorded their 10th win of the season.

Granite City 9 @ Mason City 4 - The undefeated Granite City Lumberjacks went on the road to take on the Mason City Toros. The Toros struck first with a goal from Dom Despenas, Carter Bollinger with the assist. The Toros would score again quickly with an unassisted goal from Christian Plaga. Just 10 seconds later, the Lumberjacks would get on the board with a goal from Jake Kusch, Garrett Plaude, and Micah Saxton with the assist. This would open the flood gates as Jackson Engburg would score an unassisted goal for the Lumberjacks. Then Garrett Plaude would get a goal, and Micah Saxton would get his second assist. The Lumberjacks would score again with a goal from Easton Sankey, Sam Paczan with the assist. Then, to end the opening period, Micah Saxton would get a goal of his own on the power play, with Coltin Wassengeso and Ty Smith with the assist. In the second period, the Lumberjacks would continue to score, Sam Paczan scoring with an assist from Luke Anderson. The Toros would answer back with a goal from Luke Gustafson, Stone Resch, and Hunter Anderson with the assist. With just 2 seconds left in the second period, Garrett Plaude would score again for the Lumberjacks. In the final period, Garrett Plaude would score again on the power play. The Toros would score back with an unassisted goal from Connor Pirsig. Finally, to end the game, the Lumberjacks would score again on a short-handed goal from Sam Paczan. The Lumberjacks remain undefeated, beating the Toros 9-4.

St. Louis 4 @ Willmar 2 - The St. Louis Jr. Blues went on the road to take on the Willmar Warhawks. The Jr. Blues started the game hot with a power-play goal from Teagan Lee, Jack Plager, and Lonnie Land picking up the assist. Teagan Lee would then score again, this time Chase Kozma and Cooper Palazzolo getting the assist. Not even a minute later, the Warhawks would answer with a goal of their own, Mason Wanka scoring, assisted by Toby Holtz and Logan Woods. In the second period, the only goal scored would go to the Jr. Blues, Joseph Lopiccolo scoring, Brady Cook with the assist. In the final period, the game would go silent until a minute and a half left in the game, when the Warhawks scored again to make it a one-point game. Gabe Adams scored, assisted by Aidan Callaghan and Toby Holtz. But the Jr. Blues would score again with 30 seconds remaining, Caden Lindley scores, Lonnie Land with the assist. The Jr. Blues beat the Warhawks 4-2 on the road.

El Paso 2 @ West Texas 3 (OT) - The El Paso Rhinos took a trip to West Texas to take on the Wranglers. The Rhinos would score quickly with an unassisted goal from Carter Lehmann. The Wranglers would answer quickly with a power-play goal from Cutter Daniels, with Gavin Brown as the assist. Less than a minute left in the opening period, the Wranglers would score again with a goal from Caelen Cross, Nathan Zane, and Cutter Daniel picking up the assist. In the second period, the Rhinos would tie the game with a power play goal from Carter Lehmann, his second of the contest, assisted by Nick Nunez. The two teams would stay locked at two throughout the entire final period, leading to overtime. In overtime, Cutter Daniel would score his second goal of the game to win it for the Wranglers. The Wranglers win a nail-biter with the Rhinos 3-2.

Bayou 1 @ Texas R 5 - The Bayou State Rougarou would take a trip to Texas to take on the RoadRunners. The Texas RoadRunners have been running through the competition, but in the first period, both teams stayed silent, with neither team scoring. In the second period, the RoadRunners would get on track with a goal from Vincent Campbell, Michael Garrett, and William Heskett picking up the assist. Before the final period, William Heskett would get his own goal for the RoadRunners, being assisted by Joseph Izzo and Lucas Dyer. Not even a minute into the final period, Joseph Izzo would score for the RoadRunners, with Lucas Dyer and Ronin Draffan with the assist. The Rougarou would then get on the board with a goal from Landen Crall, Ethan Tierman with the assist. The RoadRunners would strike back with another goal, Michael Garrett scoring, Joseph Izzo and Vincent Campbell with the assist. With less than a minute left, Dyer scored another one in for the RoadRunners, Joseph Izzo and Jacob Brown picking up the assist. The RoadRunners handle business, beating Bayou State 5-1.

Peoria 2 @ Wisconsin 3 - The Wisconsin Woodsmen hosted the Peoria Mustangs in a tight game Friday night. The Woodsmen would come away with the win, 3-2. The Woodsmen opened up the scoring shortly after puck drop on a goal by Ozbej Muzan, assisted by Ethan Foiles. The Woodsmen would strike again with less than three minutes left in the first to take a 2-0 lead into the intermission. In the second, Brandon Slasor added to the Woodsmen's lead, now 3-0, halfway through the second. The Peoria Mustangs would not strike back until a minute into the third on a power-play goal by Nathan Pleva, assisted by Jordan Mini and Brendon Miller. With less than ten minutes to go, the Mustangs would cut down on the Woodsmen's lead with a goal by Deitrich Miller, assisted by RJ Alvarado and Cody Thomas. Despite the Mustang’s late push, the Woodsmen would come away with the 3-2 victory at home.

Alexandria 3 @ West Bend 4 - The West Bend Power hosted the Alexandria Blizzard in an entertaining game on Friday night. The home team would prove victorious as the Power skated away with the 4-3 win. The Power would strike first on a goal three minutes in by Adam Sexton, assisted by Brody Josselyn. The Power would add to their lead with five minutes left, making it 2-0. The Blizzard would get themselves on the scoreboard on a goal with 15 seconds left in the first, by Easton Schmidt. In the second, the Blizzard would tie it up at two on a goal by Caleb Waller, assisted by Schmidt. In a physical third period, the Power would break the tie on a power play goal by Josselyn, assisted by Danny Jurcich and Jackson Hoem. The Power would score again five minutes later on an unassisted goal by Blake Kohnen for a 4-2 lead. The Blizzard would not let up, though, as they scored on the power play with 45 seconds left in the game. Ultimately, the Power would take the 4-3 win.

Tulsa 2 @ Austin 8 - The Austin Ice Bats put on an offensive clinic Friday night at home, routing the Tulsa Oilers 8–2. Austin scored early and often, taking control from the opening puck drop and never looking back. Arys Perardi opened the scoring with a power-play goal to give Austin the early lead, assisted by Owen Rattray and Jake Bamback. Matthieu LeBlanc then doubled the advantage off feeds from Sol Levy and Liam Cardona. Georgii Tokarskii added another midway through the first, with Aiden DeLuna and Ethan Salter picking up the assists. Guhnar Hillman capped off an explosive opening period with a goal of his own, as Rattray and Luke Fowler earned the helpers. It was more of the same in the second period. LeBlanc struck again on the power play to make it 5–0, with Rattray and Fowler each collecting another assist. Shortly after, Bamback found the back of the net off a feed from Dax Farnsworth, stretching the lead to 6–0 and putting the game well out of reach. Tulsa showed some fight in the third, scoring twice to narrow the deficit. Jonathan Arruda and Rodion Dubrovin each tallied for the Oilers, with Stone Baulch earning an assist on one of the goals. However, Austin quickly answered back, as Bamback and Alex DeLeon each scored to seal the 8–2 final. Perardi and Hillman assisted on one goal, while Garrett Morris and Salter set up the other.

Butte 6 @ Yellowstone 4 - The Yellowstone Quake would host the Butte Irish in a physical contest on Friday night. Despite the Quake having a 49-35 edge with shots on goal, the Irish would come away victorious with the 6-4 win. The first period saw only one goal for the Butte Irish by Jack Whitelaw. In the second, the scoring would pick up with the Irish adding two more goals for a 3-0 lead. The Quake would tally their first of the night with less than five minutes left, by Shayne Smith, assisted by London Jett and Tucker Sarkisian. The Irish would tally two more goals in four minutes, taking a 5-1 lead into the second intermission. The Quake went to work in the third tallying three goals to cut into the Irish’s lead, by Chance Bryson, Sarkisian, and Nicholas Carver. The Irish would seal the 6-4 win with one last goal with 58 seconds left by Easton Langemo. Irish goaltender Zander Harp would stop 45 of 49 shots he faced.

Great Falls 4 @ Sheridan 3 - Both teams are riding into this contest with a heater on their hands, and Great Falls would be the team to keep their win streak alive. The matchup kicks off with the Hawks’ Jeff Slivon lighting the lamp first at the 12:16 minute mark in the first frame. The Americans would respond thanks to a tally from the hometown kid, EJ Sanchez. Great Falls would extend their lead when Ethan Miller found the back of the net. With 51 seconds on the clock, Sheridan would even the contest 2-2 thanks to Kyle Rihela notching his second goal of the season. Moving into the second frame, Miller would tally his second of the contest at the 16:52 minute mark for the Americans. Not long behind him, Great Fall’s Tallon Caron extended his team’s lead thanks to his goal. The Hawks were able to tighten up the matchup thanks to late-game heroics by Elijah White with 20 seconds on the clock. Sheridan would fall to the Americans 4-3. This matchup featured both teams having quality chances on the power play. Great Falls featured eight opportunities, while Sheridan spotlighted six chances on the man advantage. 

Gillette 5 @ Bozeman 2 - This matchup was all about the scoring in the final 20 minutes of play. The contest kicked off with Bozeman taking the lead through the first two periods thanks to a tally by Hayes Masopust at the 7:39 minute mark in the opening frame. The Wild turned on their offensive prowess in the final 20 minutes, starting with Donovan Balek tallying a goal in the first three minutes of the third period. The Icedogs would respond less than three minutes later when Sam Trufant found the back of the net. However, that would be the last time Bozeman would light the lamp in the contest. Gillette was able to secure four goals in the final 12 minutes of the matchup. The Wild’s John Vail secured the game-tying goal at the 11:58 minute mark. Following him, Ole Svangstu secured two goals to give Gillette their first lead of the night. With 28 seconds on the clock, Dylan Peterson notches the last goal in the contest with his fourth tally of the year. Walking away with a win in the blue paint, Austin Trieber features a 39-save performance for Gillette.