Nashville, West Michigan and Granite City move on with wins

March 9, 2015

 

Jacob Lainesse registered one point to lead the Nashville Jr. Predators to a 3-1 victory over the Point Mallard Ducks. The win by Nashville clinched the best of three series at 2-1 and now Nashville will face Texas in the South Division Finals. The Jr. Predators' offense rang up 45 shots on Point Mallard's net. Nashville also got points from Topi Samuli Aheristo, who also racked up one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Jon Severson also scored for Nashville. In addition, Nashville received assists from Spencer Marchand, who had one. The Ducks were led by Jake Cox, who scored the team's only goal. Cox scored 4:05 into the third period to make the score 1-1. The Jr. Predators' Justin Ball stopped 12 shots out of the 13 that he faced. Cooper Seedott rejected 42 shots on goal for Point Mallard.

 

 

Jesse Garcia stood on his head and made 25 saves to lead the Granite City Lumberjacks to a 3-1 victory over the Alexandria Blizzard. The win by Granite City clinched the best of three series at 2-1 and will now face North Iowa in the Division Finals. The Lumberjacks were sparked by Luke Richardson, who had one goal. Richardson scored 19:37 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Granite City. Jared Sprink provided the assist. The Lumberjacks kept Alexandria's goalie busy throughout the game, and Evan Bisek made 34 saves on 37 shots. Granite City also got points from Sprink, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Granite City also got a goal from Will Mix as well. Other players who recorded assists for Granite City were Dallas Marvin, who had two and Mitchell Gwost and Travis Kothenbeutel, who contributed one each. The Blizzard were led by Tom Schmidt, who scored the team's only goal. Schmidt scored 11:02 into the second period to make the score 1-0 Alexandria. Aaron Ryback assisted on the tally.

 

 

Kyle Keeder racked up two points to lead the West Michigan Wolves to a 3-1 victory over the Peoria Mustangs. With the win, West Michigan won the best of three series and will advance to the Central Division Finals to face Wisconsin. Others who scored for West Michigan included Mike Difranco and Brandon Benaglio, who scored one goal each. In addition, West Michigan received assists from Steven Rhodes, Michael Tratar, and Devin Farkas, who each chipped in one. Peoria was led by Andrej Buchko, who scored the team's only goal. Buchko scored 8:48 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Peoria. Jason Henry assisted on the tally. Hunter Vorva rejected 21 shots on goal for West Michigan. Marc Hayton made 35 saves for the Mustangs on 37 shots.