Friday Finals: Close games rule the night in the NA3HL
January 24, 2015
Metro 2 @ Toledo 3 (OT) – The Toledo Cherokee pulled out a 3-2 (OT) overtime victory over the Metro Jets on a clutch goal by Cody Estrel. Toledo overcame a two-goal deficit to capture the victory. The Cherokee fell behind 2-0 after a goal by Metro's Jake Sealy at 6:47 in the second period. Toledo tied things up at 2-2 on a power play goal by Tyler Zalecki at 2:17 in the third period. Estrel was all over the ice for the Cherokee, as he tallied one goal and two assists in the win. Estrel scored 3:44 into overtime to make the score 3-2 Toledo. Mark McGee picked up the assist. Toledo was effective with a man advantage, and put in two goals while on the power play. Toledo additionally got points from Zalecki, who also racked up one goal and two assists and McGee, who also had one goal and one assist. More assists for Toledo came via Brody Duncan, who had one.The Jets were held below their usual level of production. Metro puts an average of 4.3 pucks into the net per game.The Jets were helped by Matt Dempsey, who registered one goal. Dempsey scored 4:16 into the second period to make the score 1-0 Metro. Tyler Layle provided the assist. Other players who recorded assists for Metro were TJ Krajewski, Jacob Rutkoske, and Zach Koonce, who contributed one each. Glen Bates made 14 saves for the Cherokee on 16 shots. Jake Stephan rejected 27 shots on goal for Metro.
Cleveland 3 @ Southern Tier 2 (OT) – The Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks' John Barlow scored 3:59 into overtime to beat the Southern Tier Xpress, 3-2 (OT). Barlow had a great game for Cleveland, netting two goals. The Jr. Lumberjacks excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in three chances. Cleveland also got a goal from Ryker Barber as well. More assists for Cleveland came via Buddy Rose and Tyler Dalton, who each chipped in one. Southern Tier's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on five Cleveland power plays. The Xpress forced Cleveland goalie Alec Rounds to work between the pipes, taking 47 shots. Southern Tier was led by Cody Maulsby, who racked up one goal and one assist. Maulsby scored 4:07 into the third period to make the score 2-1 Southern Tier. Niko Greco assisted on the tally. Justin Andriaccio also scored for Southern Tier. In addition, Southern Tier received assists from Brandon Desrosiers, who had one. Rounds rejected 45 shots on goal for the Jr. Lumberjacks. Cody Gibson recorded 24 saves for the Xpress.
Dallas 2 @ Nashville 4 – The Nashville Jr. Predators and the Dallas Jr. Stars were evenly matched throughout their contest, but Nashville made the most of its opportunities and won, 4-2. Neither team gained more than a two-goal lead, and Colton Anderson's goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker. Nashville was paced by Anderson, who had one goal. Anderson scored short handed 10:18 into the third period to make the score 3-2 NashvilleJacob Lainesse assisted on the tally. Nashville's offense rang up 37 shots on Dallas' net. Team's forwards weren't the only contributers offensively, and the team's defensemen showcased their scoring touch with two goals. Nashville also had goals scored by Matiss Gelazis, Jesse Hyde, and Cole Helgemo, who each put in one. In addition, Nashville received assists from Jon Evans, who had two and Noah Keener, Ben Falk, Topi Samuli Aheristo, and Nathaniel Chiarizzio, who each chipped in one. The Jr. Stars' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on four Nashville power plays. Dallas was helped by Travis Hall, who tallied one goal. Hall scored 17:56 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Nashville. Tyler Valentin picked up the assist. Moskal Parker also scored for Dallas. Other players who recorded assists for Dallas were Blake McIntyre, Aaron Torres, and Connor Perisho, who contributed one each. Justin Ball rejected 18 shots on goal for the Jr. Predators. Anthony Galliart made 33 saves for the Jr. Stars on 37 shots.
Sugar Land 2 @ Texas 5 – The Texas Jr. Brahmas were firing on all cylinders against the Sugar Land Imperials, and when the final buzzer sounded Jr. Brahmas emerged with a 5-2 win. Ryan Dunner was a peerless playmaker for Texas, as he dished out three to beat Sugar Land. The Imperials' power play was ineffective against the Jr. Brahmas' penalty kill, which allowed one goal while shorthanded. Texas forced Sugar Land goalie Colton Anderson to work between the pipes, taking 39 shots. Texas also got points from Nick Nitta, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Texas also had goals scored by Devin Pierce, who had two and Jon Grimm and Sam Gagnon, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Texas were Mykyta Sheptytsky, who had three and Paolo DiGenova and Kurt Thiele, who each chipped in one.
The Jr. Brahmas' starting goalie, Joe Hacker, made 14 saves and finished with the win before he was taken out in favor of Tristan Canter, who stopped six shots. Anderson rejected 34 shots on goal for the Imperials.
West Michigan 5 @ Chicago 3 – In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the West Michigan Wolves escaped with a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Junior Bulldogs. West Michigan gained the winning advantage on a goal by Michael Tratar 15:37 into the third period and hung on until final buzzer. Mike Difranco was all over the ice for the Wolves, as he tallied one goal and two assists in the win. Difranco scored on the power play 11:42 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Chicago. Tait Aptakin picked up the assist. In a losing effort, the Junior Bulldogs were led by Toms Taurins, who finished with two goals and one assist. Taurins scored the first of his two goals at 5:55 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Tyler Seltenriech provided the assist. Taurins' next tally made the score 3-1 Chicago with 13:54 left in the second period. Michael Ellis picked up the assist. The Wolves forced Chicago goalie Troy Pierce to work between the pipes, taking 31 shots. Team's forwards weren't the only contributers offensively, and the team's defensemen showcased their scoring touch with two goals. West Michigan additionally got points from Tratar, who also tallied one goal and one assist and Aptakin, who also had one goal and one assist. West Michigan also had goals scored by Benjamin Sera and Tim Foley, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for West Michigan were Josh Somers, Brandon Mezuk, Dakota Ulmer, and Devin Farkas, who contributed one each. West Michigan was unable to stop the Junior Bulldogs from sending pucks towards the net, and Chicago eventually piled up 31 shots on goal. Chicago also got points from Seltenriech, who also registered one goal and one assist. In addition, Chicago received assists from Henry Hearon, who had one and Ryan Maksimovic, who had two. Kyler Patenaude made 28 saves for the Wolves on 31 shots. The Junior Bulldogs' Pierce stopped 26 shots out of the 30 that he faced.
Billings 6 @ Bozeman 5 – The Bozeman Icedogs tried their best to erase a two-goal deficit, but the Billings Bulls would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 6-5. Billings made the score 6-4 on a goal by Josh Pena at 7:37 in the third period, and Bozeman got as close as 6-5 when Devin Panzeca scored 18:53 into the third period. The Bulls got the win behind a great game by TJ Theodosopoulos, who had two goals and two assists. Theodosopoulos scored the first of his two goals at 43 seconds into the first period to make the score 1-0 Billings. Steven Thompson picked up the assist. Theodosopoulos' next tally made the score 5-4 Billings with 29 seconds left in the second period. Ralfs Karelis provided the assist. Billings forced Icedogs' netminders to work between the pipes, racking up 36 shots and forcing 30 saves. Denijs Romanovskis made 22 stops and Steven Frank made eight. The Bulls surpassed their usual scoring output this season. Billings averages 3.4 goals per game. Billings also got points from Pena, who also finished with one goal and one assist, Cameron Birklid, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, and Tristan Henrichs, who also had one goal and one assist. Billings also got a goal from Dexter Nealy as well. In addition, Billings received assists from Nick Rizzo and Ian Wiljanen, who contributed one each. The Bulls were unable to stop the Icedogs from sending pucks towards the net, and Bozeman eventually piled up 39 shots on goal. The Icedogs' goal total was higher than their season average. This season, Bozeman averages 2.3 goals per contest. Bozeman additionally got points from Steven Nisbet, who also registered one goal and one assist. AJ Odell also scored for Bozeman. Other players who recorded assists for Bozeman were Quinn Thibeault, Kevin Steffey, and Brandon Endres, who each chipped in one and Gunnar Mogck and Kegan Couture, who contributed two each. Billings' Alexander Meagher stopped 34 shots out of the 39 that he faced.
Twin City 4 @ Minnesota 3 (SO) – Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Twin City Steel defeated the Minnesota Flying Aces in a shootout 4-3 (3-2 SO). The two teams needed 12 turns to complete the shootout. Minnesota's shootout goals were scored by Zachary Johnston and Blake Neumann. Twin City also got shootout goals from Kyle Wagner and Tom Reilly. The Steel overcame a two-goal deficit to capture the victory. Twin City fell behind 2-0 after a goal by the Flying Aces' Tyler Arenz at 11:01 in the first period. The Steel tied things up at 3-3 on a power play goal by Bradee Thompson at 18:00 in the third period. Twin City's offense rang up 49 shots on Minnesota's net. The Steel were helped by Bennett Witta, who grabbed one goal. Witta scored 10:42 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Minnesota. Reilly assisted on the tally. Twin City also had goals scored by Connor Boscaccy and Jay Paul, who each put in one. In addition, Twin City received assists from Mathias Ahman, Aharon Lara, Alex Egle, David Becker, and Russel Barone, who each chipped in one. The Flying Aces put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Twin City to score on any of its four power plays. The Steel were unable to stop Minnesota from sending pucks towards the net, and the Flying Aces eventually piled up 34 shots on goal. Minnesota also got points from Thompson, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Matt Heim also scored for Minnesota. More assists for Minnesota came via Neumann, who had one and Johnston and Travis Johnston, who each chipped in two. Darien Jones recorded 31 saves for Twin City. Minnesota's Dakota McDonald stopped 45 shots out of the 48 that he faced.
Alexandria 7 @ North Iowa 5 – The North Iowa Bulls almost clawed their way back from a three-goal deficit, but the Alexandria Blizzard managed to pull out a 7-5 win in the end. Alexandria led by three goals at one point and ended with the victory. The largest advantage in the game came when the Blizzard's Luke Pavelich scored at 7:54 in the second period to put Alexandria up 6-3. Gavin Mindt had one goal and two assists to lead the Blizzard. Mindt scored 8:13 into the first period to make the score 3-2 North Iowa. Tom Schmidt assisted on the tally. In a losing effort, North Iowa was paced by Jake Johnson, who had two goals. Johnson scored the first of his two goals at 8:36 into the second period to make the score 6-4 Alexandria. Jake Mullendore picked up the assist. Johnson's next tally made the score 6-5 Alexandria with 8:41 left in the second period. Mullendore assisted on the tally. Alexandria bested its season scoring average. The Blizzard have scored at the pace of 3.9 goals per game during the current campaign. Alexandria's defensemen played an important role in the offense, chipping in two goals. Alexandria additionally got points from Schmidt, who also racked up one goal and one assist and Bo Gronseth, who also registered one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Alexandria included Trent Olson and Tyler Berginski, who scored one goal each. More assists for Alexandria came via Tom Monteiro and Tony Arias, who contributed one each. The Blizzard were unable to stop the Bulls from sending pucks towards the net, and North Iowa eventually piled up 44 shots on goal. The Bulls' defense let in more goals than it usually has this year. North Iowa averages 2.1 goals allowed per game. North Iowa also got points from Johnny Panvica, who also finished with one goal and one assist, Mullendore, who also grabbed one goal and two assists to lead the team in points, and Jon Severson, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Other players who recorded assists for North Iowa were Carmen Dalesandro and Jack Stang, who each chipped in one and Kurt Halbach and Joe Kleven, who contributed two each. Evan Bisek made 39 saves for Alexandria on 44 shots. Tommi Ahlgren made 12 saves before being replaced by David Johnson, who took the loss and made eight saves.
Great Falls 2 @ Gillette 3 – The Great Falls Americans tried to dig themselves out of a three-goal hole, but the Gillette Wild held on for a 3-2 victory. A goal by Cade Boreing put Gillette up 3-0 in the third period, but Great Falls pulled to within one on Robert Kalata's tally 19:21 into the third period. The Americans were unable to stop the Wild from sending pucks towards the net, and Gillette eventually piled up 36 shots on goal. The Wild were led by Dalton McCann, who had one goal and one assist. McCann scored on the power play 7:44 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Gillette. Gillette had taken the advantage when Great Falls' Lucas Stover got sent off for interference. Lance Pennington provided the assist. Bryce Mitzel also scored for Gillette. Other players who recorded assists for Gillette were Darren Banks, who had two and Mitchell McEwan and Brett Kramer, who each chipped in one. The Americans forced the Wild goalie Alex Feese to work between the pipes, taking 33 shots. Great Falls was led by Lucas Lomax, who registered one goal and one assist. Lomax scored short handed 16:53 into the third period to make the score 3-1 Gillette. The Americans found themselves down a man on Cody Page's too many men. Feese rejected 31 shots on goal for Gillette. Lauren Massie made 33 saves for Great Falls on 36 shots.
Glacier 3 @ Yellowstone 2 – Glacier and the Yellowstone Quake were evenly matched throughout their contest, but Glacier made the most of its opportunities and won, 3-2. Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Karson Frisk secured the win for Glacier with a goal in the second period. Glacier was sparked by Frisk, who racked up one goal. Frisk scored 16:22 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Glacier. Norman Brightnose assisted on the tally. Glacier forced Yellowstone's goaltenders to work all game long, ripping 41 shots and forcing 38 saves. Lance Knudson made 30 stops and Sean Leahy made eight. Glacier additionally got points from Blake Evennou, who also registered one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Glacier also got a goal from Matt Gamblin as well. More assists for Glacier came via Joshua Larson, who had one. The Quake kept Glacier's goalie busy throughout the game, and Ryan Lund made 32 saves on 34 shots. Yellowstone was helped by Mike McCullen, who tallied one goal. McCullen scored 19:12 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Sean Pilet picked up the assist. Max Doner also scored for Yellowstone. In addition, Yellowstone received assists from Josh Neumann, Will Landsverk, and Kevin Froelich, who contributed one each.
