Edge-of-Your-Seat Finishes on Saturday Night

Photo Credit: Geoff Martel, Michael Cosman

Long Beach Sharks 5 @ New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings 4 - The Long Beach Sharks used a four-goal second period to overcome an early deficit and earn a 5–4 road win over the New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings. New Hampshire opened the scoring early in the first, but Long Beach flipped the game in the middle frame with four goals, highlighted by tallies from Brendan Dalton, Sean Bailey, Wyatt Strahan, and Eli McCarthy. The Mountain Kings answered with three second-period goals of their own to keep it tight, sending the game to the third tied 4–4. Gustav Martinsson broke the deadlock at 7:25 of the third with the game-winner, and the Sharks held on the rest of the way. Despite being outshot 37–21, Long Beach got a full 60-minute effort from Will Zinnen in net to secure the win, while New Hampshire split time between Risdon Baynard-Fernhall and Jacob Sorensen.

Norwich Sea Captains 3 @ Maine Nordiques 2 (SO)  - The Norwich Sea Captains completed a dominant performance with a 3–2 shootout win over the Maine Nordiques, outshooting Maine 53–20 over 65 minutes. Norwich opened the scoring in the first when Logan Niesen capitalized on a setup from Lukas Sobczak and Louis Allanson, but Maine answered later in the period on Keaton Bremer’s goal to tie it 1–1. The Nordiques took a 2–1 lead in the second on a power-play tally from Gavin Gleghorn despite sustained pressure from the Sea Captains. Niesen struck again late in the third with an unassisted goal to force overtime. After a scoreless extra frame, Niesen delivered the lone goal of the shootout, while Anderson Weimer turned aside all three Maine attempts to secure the victory in net.

Mason City Toros 8 @ Minnesota Wilderness 4 - The Mason City Toros exploded for five goals in the second period and cruised to an 8–4 road win over the Minnesota Wilderness. After a scoreless opening stretch, Mason City opened the scoring late in the first on Luke Gustafson’s goal to take a 1–0 lead. The Toros took control in a physical second period, piling on goals from Christian Plaga, Marek Gallenberger, T.J. Gibson, and Stone Resch to build a commanding cushion, while Minnesota answered once through Wyatt Mineheine. Mason City added two more early in the third from Kellen Kantaris and Stone Resch, and although the Wilderness pushed back with goals from Job Carpenter and Mineheine, the Toros’ offensive surge proved too much as they closed out the 8–4 victory.

Atlanta Capitals 4 @ Pelham Prowlers 3 - The Atlanta Capitals rallied from an early deficit and edged the Pelham Prowlers 4–3. Pelham jumped out to a 3–1 lead in the first period behind goals from Lorenzo Pekarek (two) and Marlon Derksen, while Atlanta’s lone response came from Hatcher Horton. The Capitals began their comeback in the second when Mike McQuigg scored at 6:39 to cut the deficit to one in a period dominated by special teams and stoppages. Atlanta completed the comeback early in the third as McQuigg struck again just 1:14 in to tie the game. Horton sealed the win late, scoring the game-winner at 19:50 to lift the Capitals to the 4–3 victory.

St Louis 2 @ Rochester 3 - The Rochester Grizzlies come out on top in a tight game at home against the St Louis Jr Blues. Despite dominating the first period, outshooting their opponent 16-5, and having three power play opportunities, the Grizzlies were unable to convert, and the game remained scoreless heading into the first intermission. In the second, it was the Blues who struck first with Jace Jordan opening the scoring early in the period. Towards the end of the period, the Grizzlies tied the game with a power play goal from Brett Ludvigsen, who also found the back of the net early in the final frame to give Rochester a 2-1 lead. After a power play opportunity of their own, the Blues tied the game with a goal from Joseph Lopiccolo. As the clock wound down, the game seemed like it would head into overtime until Mason Decker found the back of the net with just 47 seconds left in regulation. The Grizzlies defended a last-second push from St Louis, hanging on to the lead and securing a crucial win in a tight Central Division.

Minnesota 4 @ Alexandria 3 - The Minnesota Moose win a tight game on the road against the Alexandria Blizzard. In a competitive first period, Alexandria struck first with Grady Stallman opening up the scoring. Late in the period, Minnesota tied the game on the power play with a goal from Charlie Marchand. The Blizzard were in control during the second period, outshooting the Moose 15-10 and taking the lead with a goal from Blake Breiland. After trailing 2-1 at the start of the third, the Moose answered with a goal once again from Marchand on the power play. A few minutes later, Stallman found the back of the net for the second time this game to regain the lead for the Blizzard, but Marchand answered right back, tying the game once again and completing a hat trick. Then, with only three minutes left in the game, Luca Salak found the back of the net to put Minnesota ahead for the first time. The Moose held on for the remainder of the game and secured the 4-3 win as they retain their spot at the top of the West Division.

Granite City 6 @ Willmar 3 - The Granite City Lumberjacks prevail in their away matchup against the Willmar Warhawks. The Warhawks were the first team to score, finding the back of the net twice in the first five minutes, including one on the power play. After trailing 2-0, the Lumberjacks responded with two goals of their own to tie the game heading into the first intermission. The second period was eventful both in terms of shots and penalties, but Riley Berg was the only player to find the back of the net, giving Granite City a 2-1 lead. After an early goal from the Winterhawks in the third period, the Lumberjacks took complete control of the game, outshooting their opponent 17-5 and scoring three unanswered goals in the last five minutes. The late effort secured the win for Granite City, who maintained second place in the West Division, separating themselves from the other teams and bringing themselves within striking distance of the dominant Minnesota Moose.

West Bend 7 @ Wausau 2 - After a close victory on Friday night, the West Bend Power successfully swept the Wausau Cyclones with a decisive 7-2 win last night at Marathon Park. The Power got on the board first at the end of the opening frame with a goal from Brody Josselyn. Elijah von Gunten quickly found the back of the net for Wausau to end the first period tied 1-1. Within the first minute of the second period, Jackson Maddock notched another goal in for the Cyclones–but they would not find the back of the net again in this contest. West Bend responded with a scoring frenzy in the middle frame: Otis Burge scored back-to-back points, and Quinn O’Connor and Andrew Sparacino each notched one in to extend the Power’s lead. In the final period, Jace Fitzgerald and Elias Holan each earned a point for West Bend, ending the night with a demanding 7-2 victory. Ben Knutson had a productive night in net for the Power with 28 saves, and Brady Faille earned 18 saves for the Cyclones.

Tulsa 2 @ El Paso 4 - The El Paso Rhinos built on Friday night’s momentum as they defeated the Tulsa Oilers 4-2 at El Paso County Event Center last night. The Rhinos got an early lead in the opening frame with two goals scored by Carter Lehmann and Carter Tuplin. The Oilers responded in the second period as Robert Naro notched one in, but Aldiyar Irik extended El Paso’s lead with a goal to end the period. Irik came back in the final period and tallied one more in for the Rhinos. In the final seconds of the contest, Tulsa got another point on the board as Alexander Elsner scored a power-play goal. Jack Salverson had a busy night in net for the Oilers with 39 saves, Nathan Greybill defended the Rhinos with 15 saves between the pipes.

Badlands 3 @ Gillette 1 - The Badlands Sabres faced the Gillette Wild last night at Spirit Arena, where they earned a 3-1 victory. Justin Reams got the Sabres on the board first with a goal scored from a pass by Carter Kilen. Gillette responded in the first period with Joshua Sauro finding the back of the net for their only point scored of the contest. Rhylan Olson scored a goal to end the second frame with Badlands in the lead, and Dayton Niedert extended the Sabres’ lead in the final frame. There were strong performances in net for both teams last night, Parker Kelly earned 27 saves for the Sabres, and Andrew Knox had 31 saves for the Wild.

Yellowstone 1 @ Helena 7 - The Yellowstone Quake went on the road to take on the Helena Bighorns. The Bighorns would strike first scoring the lone goal of the opening period, Mason Smith scoring with an assist from Caden Feinstein and Kade Pareja. In the second period the Bighorns would score again with a goal from Caden Feinstein, Austin Uecker and Blake Chapman picking up the assist. The Bighorns would score again with a goal from Fischer Nicolet, Cade Feinstein with another assist and Casey Barriteau getting an assist. The Bighorns would keep the scoring going with a goal from Lincoln Kearney, Cameron Kimmerly and Casey Barriteau getting the assist. The Quake would then finally get on the board with an unassisted goal from Jacob Weber. The Bighorns would then answer back with an unassisted goal from Blake Chapman. In the final period Austin Uecker would get on goal of his own with an assist from Jeffrey Hershberger. Finally, to end the game Cal Kellenberg would score a goal from the Bighorns, Chase Berg and Joe Viox with the assist. The Bighorns get a big win at home 7-1 over the Quake.

Sheridan 1 @ Bozeman 2 - The Sheridan Hawks went on the road to take on the Bozeman Icedogs. In the opening period the Icedogs would strike first scoring the only goal in the first period. Seth Hanson scored being assisted by Lex Steckelberg. In the second period the Hawks would answer back with a goal from Sean Harris, Elijah Farris picking up the assist. Going into the final period 1-1 both teams would be searching for the game winner. But neither team would find it going through the entire final period still knotted at 1 apiece forcing overtime. In overtime Michael Reich would find the game winner on an unassisted goal from the Icedogs. The Icedogs get a bounce back win over the Hawks 2-1 in overtime.

Great Falls 6 @ Butte 3 - The Great Falls Americans went on the road to take on the Butte Irish. In the first period the Americans would strike first with a goal from Wyatt Hanna, Colton Bacon and Jase Troyer picking up the assist. Just 2 minutes later the Americans would score again with an unassisted goal from Tallon Caron to take a 2-0 lead. The Irish would then get on the board with a goal from Riley Erickson, Easton Langemo getting the assist. In the second period the Americans would score again on an unassisted goal from Gavin Denis. Then Wyatt Rust would put one in the back of the net for the Americans, Tallon Caron picking up the assist. The Irish would then answer back with a goal from Loghan Weber, Alexander Wainio and Easton Langemo getting another assist. To start the final period Loghan Weber would score again with another assist from Easton Langemo and an assist from Andrew James to make it a 1 point game. The Americans would then answer back though with a goal from Wyatt Hanna, his second. Bryce Webb and Aidan Mulheran picking up the assist. With 1 minute left the Americans would put the nail in the coffin with a goal from Ethan Miller, AJ Priolo getting the assist. The Americans defeat the Irish 6-3.