3HL Showcase lives up to billing on Day 3

Flint 3 vs. Granite City 2 (SO) – In a battle of unbeaten teams at the Showcase and in one of the best games of the Showcase thus far, it was the Flint Jr. Generals who triumphed in a shootout to run their Showcase record to a perfect 3-0.  Lucas McDiarimid and Cody Damon scored in regulation, while Damon scored the only goal of the shootout for either team.   Benjamin Meyers made 35 saves in regulation and stopped all five Lumberjacks shooters in the win for Flint. Boxscore

St. Louis 10 vs. Toledo 2 – Johnny Mueller and Daniel Rosse had four points apiece and Trace Jablin had a hat-trick as the Jr. Blues defeated Toledo 10-2.   The win moved St. Louis to 2-1-0 in the Showcase while Toledo remains winless at the Showcase.  St. Louis led 4-1 after one period and 8-1 after two period.  The Jr. Blues outshot outshot the Cherokee 48-28 in the game. Boxscore

Chicago 5 vs. Battle Creek 1 – Battle Creek hung tough with the Hitmen through two periods, but three Chicago goals in the 3rd period broke the game open as the Hitmen moved to 2-1-0 at the Showcase with a 5-1 over the Revoltion, who fell to 0-3-0.  Ben Boukal had two goals for the Hitmen and Jeremy Edwards, Luc Fournier and Jeff Salzbrunn all chipped-in with multi-point efforts.  Cameron Miglia had the lone goal for Battle Creek. Boxscore

Minnesota 4 vs. Metro 3 – The Flying Aces came from behind to remain perfect at the Showcase with a 4-3 win over the Metro Jets, who fell to 1-2-0 at the Showcase with the loss.  Metro led 2-0 after the 1st period, however Minnesota came back in the 2nd period to tie the game at 3-3.  Tyler Pionk’s 3rd period goal was the difference in the final frame.  Hiroyasu Takahaski made 41 saves in the win for the Flying Aces, who also got two goals from Stephen Langford in the win. Boxscore

Peoria 4 vs. Michigan 2 – Darren Schlueter scored twice as Peoria picked up their first win at the 3HL Showcase defeating Michigan 4-2.  Gage Van Order had a goal and assist for Peoria as did Michael Melka.  Meanwhile the Mountain Cats fell to 0-3-0 at the Showcase, but did get multi-point games from Kade Morrison and Kyle Parker.  Michigan outshot Peoria 35-31, but Michael Parda was the big difference in goal for the Mustangs making 33 saves. Boxscore

Pittsburgh 4 vs. North Iowa 3 – The Jr. Penguins handed the Bulls their first loss at the Showcase as the teams combined to score five power play goals.  Stephen Shirk’s 3rd period goal was the difference in this tight as Pittsburgh improved to 2-1-0 at the Showcase.  Alex Berardinelli, Bryan Hovanec and Adam Steranko also scored for Pittsburgh, while Skylar Harding, Brian Harrison and Noah Anderson scored for North Iowa. Boxscore

Twin City 1 vs. Cleveland 0 – In a battle of two tremendous goaltending performances, it was the Steel’s Evan Weiss who stopped all 30 shots, who came out on top as Twin City stayed perfect at the Showcase with a close 1-0 win over the Lumberjacks, who fell to 1-2-0.  Lawrence Dvorak Jr. was equally as good in goal for Cleveland, making 39 saves, but a 3rd period goal from Twin City defenseman Tyler Montgomery was the difference in one of the best games of the Showcase. Boxscore

Queen City 6 vs. Quad City 5 (SO) – In a game that featured plenty of offense with a combined 93 shots, the Steam picked up their first win of the Showcase by topping the Jr. Flames in a shootout.  Quad City fell to 1-2-0 with the loss.  Chase Martin, Lucas McCammant, Damien Lona and Trevor Knoll all had a goal and an assist in the win for Queen City.  Luke McCarthy had two goals in the loss for Quad City.  All four Queen City shooters scored in the shootout, which was the defining difference in the win. Boxscore