Sunday Wrap-Up: Buzz Claim East Division Title
by Brian Gornick
The Buzz are champions of the East Division after an impressive sweep of New Hampshire while Aiden Emerich (bottom) netted two goals for the Grizzlies in a key victory
Rochester 5 @ St. Louis 4 - A late comeback attempt from the St. Louis Jr. Blues fell short against the Rochester Grizzlies. The Jr. Blues found themselves down two early, with the Grizzlies getting scores in the first seven minutes from AIden Emerich and Noah Joyce. The Jr. Blues cut the lead at 10:29 off a Micahel Soell goal, but the two-goal lead held firm with Mason Decker soon after scoring the Grizzlies third goal to end the period. In the first five seconds of the second, Mason Andrew cut the lead back down to one, but the Grizzlies continued to add to their score total. Emerich would score his second of the night, followed late in the period by Noah Gillette. The third period saw Andrew score two power play goals in the span of two minutes to cut the lead back to one for the third time, but the Grizzlies defense held for the win the rest of the way.
New Hampshire 1 @ Binghamton 7 - The Binghamton Buzz with their win Sunday over the New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings extended their win streak to 16. Team-leading scorer Ethan Miller scored his 31st goal of the season early in the first, followed halfway through the period by Preston Peterson for a 2-0 Buzz lead. The lone Mountain Kings goal came next, with Bryce Yates scoring 6:52 into the second period. The close game quickly spiraled away for the Mountain Kings, three more goals from the Buzz to end the second from Brody Bess, Peterson again, and Jason DiMatteo. Despite the Mountain Kings putting up more offensive pressure in the final period, the Buzz further added to their lead with Daniel Tirendi adding two more goals to the Buzz’s total, ending another win for his team.
Mason City 1 @ Granite City 7 - The Granite City Lumberjacks beat the Mason City Toros Sunday in an offensive showcase, outshooting them 70-19. The first period was a scoreless affair, and the Toros held despite facing 28 shots. The Toros then scored the first goal on the power play from Sam Menne early in the first period. The Lumberjacks would tie five minutes later thanks to Parker Comstock, and would take the lead 14:06 into the period after Brayden Willis found the back of the net. The final period opened the floodgates for scoring. Connor Miller began early, followed shortly by Millis for his second goal of the day. Miller halfway through the period scored his second goal as well. In the final five minutes of play, the Lumberjacks piled on more goals from Eli Tiernan and Cole Sieben to end the offensive onslaught.
