Friday Finals: Steel pick up win in North Iowa
January 3, 2015
Wisconsin 4 @ La Crosse 3 (OT) – Peter Henderson gave the Wisconsin Whalers a 4-3 (OT) victory over the La Crosse Freeze when he scored 25 seconds into the extra period. Although Wisconsin was up by as many as two goals in the third period, La Crosse kept the game interesting by staging a comeback that ultimately fell short. The Freeze pulled to within 3-2 on a short handed goal by Daniel Toycen at 8:22 in the third period. The Whalers were sparked by Henderson, who racked up one goal. Wisconsin forced La Crosse goalie Andrew Wagner to work between the pipes, taking 34 shots. Wisconsin additionally got points from Thomas Hanson, who also grabbed one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Others who scored for Wisconsin included Adam Alcott and Adam Schoenfeld, who each put in one. More assists for Wisconsin came via Will Holtan, Caleb Voster, Alex Anderson, Michael Tish, Yves Leemann, and Nolan Kepler, who contributed one each. The Freeze's offense rang up 31 shots on the Whalers' net. La Crosse also got a goal from Taylor Trapp as well. In addition, La Crosse received assists from Jared Bromberg, who had one and Hunter Dragosh, who had two. Evan Moyse rejected 28 shots on goal for Wisconsin. Andrew Wagner made 30 saves for the Freeze on 34 shots. La Crosse registered one goal on five power play opportunities.
Point Mallard 3 @ Nashville 5 – The Nashville Jr. Predators came close to giving away a five-goal lead to the Point Mallard Ducks, but did just enough to escape with a 5-3 victory. Nashville led by five goals at one point and ended with the victory. The largest advantage in the game came when the Jr. Predators' Spencer Marchand scored at 8:23 in the third period to put Nashville up 5-0. The Jr. Predators' offense rang up 37 shots on Point Mallard's net. Nashville's defensemen played an important role in the offense, chipping in two goals. Nashville was helped by Jon Evans, who had one goal. Evans scored 13:52 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Nashville. Keegan Haines provided the assist. Nashville also got points from Rudolfs Kalvitis, who also registered one goal and one assist and Jacob Lainesse, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Dominic Costello also scored for Nashville. In addition, Nashville received assists from Trent Kulczyk, who had two and Nickolas Tandeski, Kyle Van Wyk, Nicholas Redmon, and Colton Anderson, who each chipped in one. The Ducks kept the Jr. Predators' goalie busy throughout the game, and Nathan Klebe made 29 saves on 32 shots. Nashville registered two goals on five power play opportunities. David Volkmann rejected 32 shots on goal for Point Mallard.
Alexandria 0 @ Granite City 2 – The Granite City Lumberjacks beat the Alexandria Blizzard, 2-0, in a contest where the winning goal was scored in the first period but the game remained close throughout. Dallas Marvin provided Granite City with the game-winning tally when he scored 8:03 into the first period. Jared Sprink picked up the assist. The Lumberjacks pulled out the victory even though they were hit with 26 penalty minutes. Granite City was led by Marvin, who tallied one goal. The Lumberjacks stifled Alexandria's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Granite City did not reach the goal total it has come to expect this season. The Lumberjacks average 4.2 goals per game. Granite City's defensive play was more effective than usual against the Blizzard. The Lumberjacks allow 2.1 goals per game. Zach Voss also scored for Granite City. In addition, Granite City received assists from Tanner Skaja, Alek Groth, and Michael Orke, who each chipped in one. Alexandria put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Granite City to score on any of its three power plays. The Blizzard's offense operated below their season average. Alexandria puts an average of 3.9 pucks into the net per game. Jesse Garcia made 19 saves for the Lumberjacks on 19 shots. Tanner Elmore rejected 24 shots on goal for the Blizzard.
Yellowstone 2 @ Gillette 4 – In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Gillette Wild escaped with a 4-2 victory over the Yellowstone Quake. Gillette gained the winning advantage on a goal by Kyle Traux 5:33 into the third period and hung on until final buzzer. The Wild were led by Traux, who tallied one goal. Yellowstone was unable to stop Gillette from sending pucks towards the net, and the Wild eventually piled up 47 shots on goal. Gillette also got points from Cade Boreing, who also had one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Others who scored for Gillette included Sam Cirone and Darren Banks, who scored one goal each. In addition, Gillette received assists from Bryce Mitzel, who had two and Austin Tennant, TJ McMinn, and Brett Kramer, who each chipped in one. The Quake were helped by Mason Jobe, who racked up one goal. Jobe scored 10:06 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Nick Ligocki picked up the assist. Max Doner also scored for Yellowstone. Other players who recorded assists for Yellowstone were Carter Johnson, Brandon Blaszczyk, and Will Landsverk, who contributed one each. Alex Feese rejected 27 shots on goal for Gillette. Sean Leahy made 43 saves for Yellowstone on 47 shots.
Helena 1 @ Great Falls 3 – The Great Falls Americans survived a determined comeback attempt by the Helena Bighorns on the way to a 3-1 win. A goal by Cody Page put Great Falls up 3-0 in the third period, but Helena pulled to within two on Georgy Ostapchuk's tally 17:39 into the third period. The Americans were led by goalie Lauren Massie, who finished with 48 saves while allowing one goal. Massie certainly lowered his goals against average, which was 2.13 entering the contest. Great Falls was led by Lucas Stover, who had one goal and one assist. Stover scored 14:14 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Great Falls. Connor Barta provided the assist. Great Falls also got a goal from Wade Wylie as well. More assists for Great Falls came via Robert Kalata, Michal Kliment, Erik Gatson, and Reed Link, who each chipped in one. The Bighorns did not reach the goal total they have come to expect this season. Helena puts an average of 4.6 pucks into the net per game. The Bighorns' offense rang up 49 shots on the Americans' net. In addition, Helena received assists from Bryan Knesel and Johnny Bonta, who contributed one each.
Twin City 5 @ North Iowa 4 (SO) – Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Twin City Steel defeated the North Iowa Bulls in a shootout 5-4 (1-0 SO). The shootout featured 10 attempts between both teams. North Iowa was unable to stop Twin City from sending pucks towards the net, and the Steel eventually piled up 36 shots on goal. Twin City was led by Jay Paul, who finished with two goals and one assist. Paul scored the first of his two goals at 14:35 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Twin City. Jon Plaszcz picked up the assist. Paul's next tally made the score 3-3 with 5:25 left in the second period. James Hale assisted on the tally. Twin City also got points from Alex Egle, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Mathias Ahman also scored for Twin City. In addition, Twin City received assists from Chris Skordilis and Jake McGlocklin, who contributed one each. The Bulls forced the Steel goalie Robbie Goor to work between the pipes, taking 37 shots. North Iowa's defense let in more goals than it usually has this year. The Bulls average 2.0 goals allowed per game. North Iowa got an offensive boost from its blueliners, who contributed two goals during the game. The Bulls were helped by Joe Kleven, who had two goals. Kleven scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 8:15 into the second period to make the score 2-2. North Iowa had gained a power play chance when Hale was whistled for tripping. Trey Gardner picked up the assist. Kleven's next tally on the power play made the score 4-4 with 9:16 left in the third period. The Bulls had gotten the advantage when Twin City's Lance Carney was sent off for hooking. Adam Orn assisted on the tally. North Iowa additionally got points from Kohei Sato, who also registered one goal and one assist and Dylan Zins, who also grabbed one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. More assists for North Iowa came via Johnny Panvica, Ryan Durant, and Jon Severson, who each chipped in one. Goor recorded 33 saves for the Steel. North Iowa's Tommi Ahlgren stopped 31 shots out of the 35 that he faced.
Glacier 4 @ Bozeman 3 (OT) – Glacier pulled out a 4-3 (OT) overtime victory over the Bozeman Icedogs on a clutch goal by Karson Frisk. Frisk had a great game for Glacier, netting two goals. Frisk's tallies came at 17:08 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Glacier and on the power play 59 seconds into the fourth to make the score 4-3 Glacier. Glacier outdid its season average for goals scored. Glacier has scored at the pace of 1.8 goal per game during the current campaign. Glacier cashed in on power play opportunities, scoring two goals on three chances. Glacier also got points from Blake Evennou, who also finished with one goal and two assists. Tyler McMahon also scored for Glacier. In addition, Glacier received assists from Joshua Larson, who had one. Bozeman's offense rang up 32 shots on Glacier's net. The Icedogs were helped by Kegan Couture, who registered one goal and one assist. Couture scored 17:28 into the third period to make the score 3-3. Kyler Chartier assisted on the tally. Bozeman additionally got points from Chartier, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Bozeman also got a goal from Steven Nisbet as well. More assists for Bozeman came via Jake Nicks, Quinn Thibeault, and Gunnar Mogck, who contributed one each. Ryan Lund recorded 29 saves for Glacier. Bozeman's Steven Frank stopped 18 shots out of the 22 that he faced.
