Saturday Scores: Bighorns, Cyclones, Grizzlies, and Sea Captains Advance to Division Finals
New Jersey 2 @ Norwich 5 (Norwich wins series 2-1): A big opening period paced the rest of the game for the Sea Captains as they defeated the Titans 5-2 and advanced to the East Division Finals. Sava Makarenko, Chase Leivian and Glen Farmer all scored in the opening 20 minutes to give Norwich a commanding 3-0 lead. Skyler Bawcom made it a 4-0 game early in the third but two quick goals from Grant Coykendall and George Hinds brought the Titans within two. Leivian added the dagger with his second of the game later in the third as the Sea Captains defended home ice. Peter Alfano made 13 saves to get the win for Norwich. Aidan Patterson was dealt the loss despite making 48 saves.
Rochester 5 @ Alexandria 2 (Rochester wins series 2-0): The Rochester Grizzlies are moving on to the West Division Finals as they defeated Alexandria 5-2. After Markus Olson put the Blizzard up 1-0 just 15 seconds into the game. Noah Joyce and Spencer Klotz responded to give the Grizzlies the lead after the first. Lennard Habeck and Bazl Cook traded goals before Maksim Lakic increased the Rochester lead again. Matt Haun would put the game away in the third period for the Grizzlies. Nick Kurtiak stopped 32 of 34 shots while Josef Zilinec made 31 saves for the Blizzard.
Granite City 4 @ Mason City 3 (Series Tied 1-1): Sam Brennan’s goal with just under three minutes to play was the difference and extended Granite City’s season at least one more day as they beat Mason City 4-3. Joe Greniuk had the only goal of the first period to give the Lumberjacks the lead. Marcus Fritel tied the game for the Toros early in the second before Thomas Gerum and Dominic Thomas traded goals. In the third, Granite City took the lead again with Hayden Johnson’s goal but Matvey Ivanov answered just two and a half minutes later. Then it was Brennan who found the back of the net late and the Jacks would hold on to win Game 2. Ryan Lehet made 34 saves for the Lumberjacks in the win. Devin Peck was stuck with the loss as he made 45 saves.
West Bend 1 @ Oregon 4 (Series Tied 1-1): The Oregon Tradesmen forced a Game 3 after they knocked off West Bend on Saturday 4-1. Sebastian Schuehle, Tyler Steuck, Zack Slinger and Sam Knight all lit the lamp for Oregon in the victory. Bryce Garber had the only tally for the Power in the loss. Tyler Fromolz was nearly perfect, allowing just one goal on 31 chances. Ian Kangas was busy all night long, stopping 40 shots for West Bend.
Wausau 5 @ Wisconsin 3 (Wausau wins series 2-0): The Wausau Cyclones are heading to the Division Finals for the first time in team history as they finished off the sweep of the Wisconsin Woodsmen with a 5-3 win on Saturday. Antonio Gomez, Easton Plachetka, Dominick Bourdon, Matthew Mahoney and Adam Wiggins all scored for the Cyclones. Nolan James Mix potted a pair of goals for the Woodsmen. Collin Lemanski was the winner in net, he made 40 saves. Steven Kelley and Ryan Hacker teamed up to make 19 saves.
Helena 3 @ Great Falls 1 (Helena wins series 2-0): The Helena Bighorns are returning to the Frontier Division Finals after sweeping Great Falls. They took Game 2 by a score of 3-1. Aiden Kennedy struck first for the Americans and they took the lead into the break. In the second, Jakob Losch and Finn Theriault got on the board to put the Bighorns out in front for the first time. Braden Cunningham added an empty net tally to ice the game for Helena. Jesse Schindler was the winner in the blue paint, he finished with 17 saves. Kaden Ryder stopped 48 shots for Great Falls.
