Saturday Scores: Division Finals take shape after several sweeps

March 18, 2018

Central Division Semi Finals, Game 2: La Crosse Freeze 5 @ Wisconsin Whalers 1 (La Crosse wins series 2-0) - A pair of goals from Clayton Lackey helped the La Crosse Freeze to a 5-1 win over the Wisconsin Whalers, claiming a spot in the Central Division final. Thomas Magnavite, Flavien Foundadouze, and Jacob Garman also scored for the Freeze, with help from Alec Seeger, Brandon Ratzloff, Brady Lindauer, Keaton Caplis, and Garman. For Wisconsin, Jimmy McDermott scored one off a pass from Anthony Fortin. La Crosse's Will Graves made 40 saves, while Brendan Earls stopped 32 shots for Wisconsin. 

 

Central Division Semi Finals, Game 2: North Iowa Bulls 8 @ Wausau RiverWolves 2 (North Iowa wins series 2-0) - The North Iowa Bulls maintained a heavy offensive presence to defeat the Wausau RiverWolves, 8-2, and earn a spot in the Central Division Finals. Cameron Fagerlee, Brendan Studioso (2), Tyler Bump, Peter Verstegen, Shane Bernhardson, Mitch Dolter, and Jett Larson scored for the Bulls, with help from Dayton Honkanen (2), Bump, Josh Arnold (3), Dolter (2), Fagerlee, Aaron Swanson, Larson (2), Jarod Blackowiak (3), and Verstegen. For the RiverWolves, Matt Irwin notched both goals off passes from Ryan Hempel (2), Ron Rentner, and Ben Brown. North Iowa's Tyler Hawk made 22 saves, while Henry Baribeau stopped 65 shots for Wausau. 

 

Coastal Division Semi Finals, Game 2: New England Stars 6 @ Maine Wild 2 (New England wins series 2-0) - A pair of third period goals from Ryan Gauvin helped the New England Stars to a 6-2 win over the Maine Wild, sending them to the Coastal Division finals. Cole Archambeault, Aiden Conlon, Ryan Caisse, and Connor Barter also scored for the Stars, assisted by Ian Gatley, Michael Lempiainen, Gauvin (2), Zachary Cormier, Chris Barone, Derek Flynn, Barter, and James Wilson. For the Wild, Brady Bannon and Jason Gratz each notched one, with help from Tyler Webb (2), Jeffrey Gratz, and Nick Panfen. New England's Greg Moon made 26 saves for the victory, while Chris Rodrigues stopped 38 shots for Maine. 

 

Coastal Division Semi Finals, Game 3: L/A Nordiques 4 @ Northeast Generals 3 (L/A wins series 2-1)- The L/A Nordiques held onto an early lead to defeat the Northeast Generals and advance to the Coastal Division finals. Cole Ouellette, Clifford Ogle, Joshua Sanchez, and Joshua Malone scored for the Nordiques, off of passes from Sanchez, Andrew McCromick, Zack Mullen, Colby Audette, Ouellette, JP Chauvin, Armand O'Keefe, and Nick Bisson. Generals' goals came via Fedor Lopaev, Marc Faia, and Justin Couture, with help from Dylan Figueroa and Aiden Fuller. In net, Michael Errico made 18 saves for L/A, while Nick Sesock stopped 37 shots for Northeast. 

 

East Division Semi Finals, Game 2: Lansing Wolves 1 @ Pittsburgh Vengeance 6 (Pittsburgh wins series 2-0) - Tied after the first, the Pittsburgh Vengeance scored five in a row to punch their ticket to the East Division Finals. Dominick Glavach, Justin Bioni, Thomas Polster, Brendan Johns, Anthony Bates, and Benjamin Oslick each scored for the Vengeance, with help from Ian Edgar, Joel De Simone, Johns, Ty Rickabaugh, Jeremy Jenkins, Cam Williams, Polster (2), Nick Erker, Devin Whitaker. Jacob Redman scored the lone Wolves goal, assisted by Garrison Weyh and Brendan Smith. Pittsburgh's Joel De Simone made 20 saves for the win, and Sean Finstrom stopped 27 shots for Lansing.

 

East Division Semi Finals, Game 2: Southern Tier Xpress 2 @ Metro Jets 4 (Metro wins series 2-0) - The Metro Jets scored three in a row to come back and defeat the Southern Tier Xpress, 4-2, to advance to the East Division Finals. Reggie Millette, Jeremy Schwartz, Matt Schaumburger, and Jhuwon Davis each notched one for the Jets, with help from Robby Flannery, Kyle Gierman (2), Anthony Cinato, Connor Inger, Millette, Devlin Macaulay, and Rhett Limback. For Southern Tier, Michael Lamison and Joey Gerace netted goals off passes from Mickenzie Restle and Lamison. In net, Brian Tallieu made 18 saves for Metro, while Ryan Pascarella racked up 55 saves for the Xpress.  

 

Frontier Division Semi Finals, Game 2: Yellowstone Quake 6 @ Gillette Wild 5 (Yellowstone wins series 2-0) - The Yellowstone Quake had a strong second period on their way to a 6-5 win over the Gillette Wild. Riley Buller (2), Ty Proffitt, Ethan Sievek, Jack Moore, and Timo Pelto scored for the Quake, with help from Shaw Walworth (2), Jack Rasmussen, Carter Johnson, Nolan Willoughby (2), Mason Stewart, and Cole Stewart. For the Wild, Brooks Mitzel, Nick Stockert, Gage Thompson (2), and Jack Oberg netted goals, assisted by Derek Scoggins (2), Coleman Varty, Stockert (2), and Oberg. Yellowstone's Reid Waszczenko made 20 saves, while Rasmus Pilely stopped 37 shots for Gillette. 

 

Frontier Division Semi Finals, Game 2: Great Falls Americans 0 @ Helena Bighorns 4 (Helena wins series 2-0) - The Helena Bighorns went up early to secure a 4-0 win over the Great Falls Americans, earning them a spot in the Frontier Division finals. Ben Kottmeier, Justin Sullivan, Hayden Seitz and Luc Cross scored for the Bighorns, with help from Seitz, Jeremy Solko, Kaden Lindberg, Gavin Cline, Dane Rieger, and Henry Kipper. In net, Nick Battaglia made 16 saves for a shutout win, while Bryan Sharp stopped 21 shots for Great Falls.

 

Northeast Division Semi Finals, Game 2: Skylands Kings 4 @ Niagara Falls PowerHawks 8 (Niagara Falls wins series 2-0) - Andrew Logar netted a hat trick to help the Niagara Falls PowerHawks to an 8-4 win over the Skylands Kings. Evan Domiano (2), Brandon Schweickert, Branden Tripi, and Matt Stewart also scored for the PowerHawks, assisted by Kurt Villani (3), Gage Mueller, Stephen Minichiello (2), Nathan Walerowicz (2), Matthew Minichiello (2), Loga, and Schweickert. Steven Ford (2), Dylan Dinzik, and Sergei O'Sullivan notched goals for the Kings, with help from Eric Vanderhoff, Craig Garrigan, Lionel Landry, Craig Scarpa, and Joshua Baker. Niagara Falls' Kris Augustine made 18 saves, while Mathias Yttereng stopped 31 shots for Skylands.

 

Northeast Division Semi Finals, Game 2: Oswego Stampede 0 @ Binghamton Junior Senators 6 (Binghamton wins series 2-0) - Binghamton Junior Senator Colin Burgess racked up 14 saves in a 6-0 shutout win over the Oswego Stampede, sending them to the Northeast Division finals. Dominik Bogdziul scored twice for the Junior Senators, alongside Ryan Reifler, Jeremy Wilber, Geoffrey LaMorre, Benjamin Beversdorf, and Thomas Mandel Jr. Binghamton goals were assisted by Mandel (2), Bogdziul (4), Tim O'Connor, Reifler (2), and Caleb Beversdorf (2). Steven Kozikoski and Ben White made 37 and 5 saves, respectively, for Oswego.

 

South Division Semi Finals, Game 2: Atlanta Capitals 2 @ Mid Cities Jr Stars 3 (Mid Cities wins series 2-0) - A pair of goals from Nick Sheridan helped the Mid Cities Jr Stars to a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Capitals, landing them a spot in the South Division finals. Brandon Speights also scored for the Jr Stars, with help from Trey Rooney (2) and Tyler Schulz. For Atlanta, Jason Ladzinski and Michael Klintworth both notched unassisted goals. Mid Cities' Matthew Lenz made 33 saves, while Kyle Konin stopped 25 shots for the Capitals.

 

West Division Semi Finals, Game 2: Granite City Lumberjacks 9 @ Willmar WarHawks 3 (Granite City wins series 2-0) - A strong third period helped the Granite City Lumberjacks secure a 9-3 win over the Willmar WarHawks. Matt Moran (2), Bailey Sommers, Braden Altena, Owen Sikich (2), Brady Dahl (2), and Hunter Schwehr scored for the Lumberjacks, off of passes from Brandon Baker, Moran, Schwehr (2), Lars Olson, Sikich, Chase DiBari, Cole Buhl, Logan Neu, Brandon Bissett (2), Altena, Sommers (2), and Baker. For Willmar, Peyton Bolstad, Braden Shea and Brandon Holt netted goals, assisted by Riley Dixon, Keegan Bauman, and Wyatt Toll. Granite City's David Mulligan made 27 saves, while Luke Fry stopped 38 shots for the WarHawks.

 

South Division Semi Finals, Game 1: Point Mallard Ducks 2 @ Texas Brahmas 0 (Point Mallard leads series 1-0) - Point Mallard goaltender Joey Bernardini made 33 saves for a 2-0 shutout victory over the Texas Brahmas in game one of the South Division Semi Finals. Mason Evans and Jesse Stepp scored for the Ducks, assisted by Matt Goodman, Kevin LaPlante (2), and Fletcher Chun. Tyler Myers stopped 24 shots for Texas.

 

Midwest Division Semi Finals, Game 1: Evansville Jr Thunderbolts 5 @ Peoria Mustangs 6 (OT) (Peoria leads series 1-0) - A hat trick from Jack Radley, including the OT winner, helped the Peoria Mustangs to a 6-5 win over the Evansville Jr Thunderbolts. Brandon Hay also scored twice for the Mustangs, while Jack Healy scored once, with help from Braden Stewart, Rhett McDonald, Blake Finley, Barry Groesch, Ian McHenry, and Jack Power Wayvon. For Evansville, Brandon Rozema, Sean Sullivan, Bret Bocianoski, Oliver Joensson, and Braden Rowe each found the back of the net, with help from Jake Hannebrink (2), Cole Emery, and Christian Alvegran. Peoria's Jaden Gardner made 20 saves, while Bryson Linenburg stopped 45 shots in net for Evansville.  

 

West Division Semi Finals, Game 2: New Ulm Steel 4 @ Alexandria Blizzard 1 (Series tied 1-1) - A pair of goals from Ryan Smith helped the New Ulm Steel force a game three in their fight to the West Division finals against the Alexandria Blizzard. Alex Nagel and Jimmy Miller also scored for the Steel, with help from Dylan Boysen, Kirk Coppock, Tom Reilly, Sam Storlie, and Nagel. For the Blizzard, Logan Nelson found the back of the net, with help from Brenden Payne and Peter Johnson. New Ulm's Ryan Kenny stopped 29 shots, while Brady Meyers made 26 saves for Alexandria.