This week in the NA3HL
This week in the NA3HL saw some upsets as teams continue to jockey for position in the standings. The first of two NA3HL Showcases is less than a month away as all 17 teams will converge in Blaine, Minnesota for four days of competition from November 30-December 3. Here is a look at this week in the NA3HL:
Alexandria Blizzard: The Blizzard moved a game over .500 with a 7-1 win over Twin City in their lone game played last weekend. Bryce Mitchell and Spencer Peratalo each had a goal and assist in the win and Kyle Miller made 23 saves. This weekend the Blizzard are off before returning to action Nov. 9-10.
Battle Creek Revolution: The Revolution lost their lone game of the weekend, 8-0 to the Three Rivers Vengeance. Matt Hughes made 37 saves in the loss. Next up for the Revs, a six-game homestand that begins this weekend with two games against the Peoria Mustangs.
Breezy Point North Stars: It was another landmark win last weekend for the North Stars. After falling at home to Granite City 5-1 on Friday, the North Stars turned it around on Saturday and gave the Lumberjacks their first loss of the season, 5-4. Brycon Jasper had two goals. This weekend, the North Stars face Minnesota on Thursday and Twin City on Friday.
Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks: The Jacks increased their lead in the East Division with a 5-4 win in Toledo on Friday night. Cameron Dimmitt led the way with two goals and an assist. This weekend, Cleveland gears up for two big divisional road games on Saturday against Flint and Sunday against Metro.
Flint Jr. Generals: The Jr. Generals picked up three of four points over the weekend. On Friday, it was a 4-3 shootout loss to the Metro Jets. On Saturday, they defeated the Toledo Cherokee, 4-1. Lucas McDiarmid had three points and Ted Barile made 31 saves in the win. This weekend, Flint hosts Cleveland on Saturday night.
Granite City Lumberjacks: The Lumberjacks won 2 of their 3 games over the weekend, but did finally suffer their first loss of the season. The Lumberjacks won on Friday against Breezy Point and on Sunday against North Iowa, but fell on Saturday to Breezy Point. Forward Aidan Verbeke was named #2 star of the week. This weekend, the Lumberjacks face a tough road test with two games at North Iowa.
Metro Jets: The Jets won their lone game last weekend, a 4-3 shootout win at home over the Flint Jr. Generals. Andrew Palushaj scored twice in regulation and once in the shootout to lead the Jets. This upcoming weekend, the Jets face Michigan on the road on Saturday and Cleveland at home on Sunday.
Michigan Mountain Cats: The Cats were swept last weekend on the road in St. Louis. After a 9-1 loss on Saturday, the Mountain Cats gave the Jr. Blues all they could handle on Sunday, but fell 5-3. Ian Dvorak made 41 saves in the loss. This weekend, Michigan hosts Metro on Saturday in their lone game of the week.
Minnesota Flying Aces: It was a rough weekend for the Flying Aces, who were shutout in both of their weekend games. On Saturday, it was a 5-0 loss at home to North Iowa. On Sunday, it was another 5-0 loss, this time at Twin City. The Flying Aces hope to rebound this weekend with their lone game on Thursday as they host Breezy Point.
North Iowa Bulls: Matt Bartels made 43 saves on Saturday in a 5-0 win over Minnesota, however on Sunday the Bulls fell at Granite City, 8-3. Connor Langfield had three assists over the weekend to pace the Bulls, who remain in 2nd place in the West. This weekend, the Bulls face a tough challenge as they host 1st place Granite City for a pair of games in North Iowa.
Peoria Mustangs: The Mustangs were off last weekend and this weekend, travel to Battle Creek for a pair of games against the Revolution. Brennan Anderson leads the team with 17 points in 10 games played and goalie Michael Parda is tied for 2nd in the NA3HL with a 93.2% save percentage.
Quad City Jr. Flames: The Jr. Flames were swept over the weekend at Queen City as their losing skid hit eight straight games. In the pair of two-goal losses, the Flames got good production out of Anthony Caroselli, who had three points over the weekend. This weekend, the Jr. Flames face another tough road test as they travel to St. Louis for a pair of games.
Queen City Steam: The Steam are riding high again thanks to their weekend sweep of the Quad City Jr. Flames. Lucas McCammant, who was named the NA3HL’s #1 star of the week, had six points during the weekend sweep. This weekend, the Steam are off before hosting Quad City again on November 10-11.
St. Louis Jr. Blues: The Jr. Blues posted two weekend wins over Michigan and moved their winning streak to six straight games. Trace Jablin was named the NA3HL’s #3 stars for his efforts over the weekend. The Jr. Blues prepare for another weekend at home as they host the Quad City Jr. Flames this weekend.
Three Rivers Vengeance: Three Rivers won their lone game of the weekend, an 8-0 win over the visiting Battle Creek Revolution. Nico Vecchio and Alex Berardinelli each had four points in the game. The Vengeance, who have won three straight, travel to Toledo for a pair of games this weekend.
Toledo Cherokee: Toledo suffered a pair of losses last weekend as they fell 5-4 to Cleveland on Friday and 4-1 to Flint on Sunday. Kevin Gregory led the offense over the weekend with three points. The Cherokee continue their six-game homestand this weekend with a pair of games against the Three Rivers Vengeance.
Twin City Steel: It was a roller coaster weekend for the Steel. After a 7-1 loss on Saturday night against Alexandria, the Steel rebounded for a big 5-0 shutout win over Minnesota on Sunday. Trey Hughes had three points in the win and goaltender Sawyer Marshall stopped all 35 shots. This weekend, the Steel continue their homestand with a single game against Breezy Point on Saturday.
