Shutouts, Statement Wins, and Epic Battles: Saturday Had It All

Photo Credit: Dave Tester

Louisiana 7 @ Bayou State 2 - The Drillers rolled to a dominant 7–2 win over the Rougarou, scoring three times in the first period and never looking back. Louisiana struck early and often, highlighted by a pair of power-play goals. Brayden Pelcl and Matthew Killen also found the net in the opening frame to give the Drillers a 3–0 lead after one. Bayou State responded in the second with two goals—Ethan Tierman on the power play and Nathan Daniels at even strength—but Louisiana answered with tallies from Draydin Johnson and Carter Gnau to maintain control at 5–2 heading into the third. The Drillers closed it out with two more goals in the final period, as Zachary Marsell and Skyler Tompkins added insurance. Louisiana outshot Bayou State 81–19 on the night. 

Maine 3 @ Buzz 2 (OT) - The Nordiques rallied for a 3–2 overtime win against the Buzz after trailing late in regulation. A scoreless first period gave way to a tight second, where the Buzz broke through at 6:10 on Yaromir Chicherin’s goal to take a 1–0 lead. Maine came alive in the third period, getting goals from Peyton Dyer and Jaxson Sardinha to jump ahead 2–1. The Buzz answered back with Andrew Jazwin’s goal at 3:08 to force overtime. Just eight seconds into the extra frame, Sardinha struck again, netting the game-winner to seal the comeback.

New Jersey 2 @ Norwich 1 - The New Jersey Titans win a close matchup on the road against the Norwich Sea Captains. After a scoreless first period, the Titans were the first to light the lamp with a late second-period goal from Miles Lara. Across the first two frames, Norwich outshot New Jersey 30-16, yet they trailed 1-0 heading into the second intermission. In the third, the Titans found the back of the net once again before Norwich got one back to make it 2-1. Despite a great effort, the Sea Captains could not score the tying goal, and the Titans held on to secure the victory. Goaltender Tony Shaw stopped 37 of 38 to lead his team to victory as they fight to move up in the East Division standings. 

El Paso 6 @ Tulsa 1 - The El Paso Rhinos win their second consecutive game over the Tulsa Oilers. The Rhinos got off to a hot start, scoring three straight to open up the game. Tulsa was able to get on the board to end the first period, but that would be their only goal of the night. After a less eventful second period, the game headed into the final frame with the Rhinos still up 3-1. In the third period, the Rhinos scored three more goals in a span of three minutes to extend the lead to 6-1. El Paso registered an incredible 75 shots on goal throughout the night while limiting Tulsa to just 20. The Rhinos continue their dominant season as they chase the Texas Brahmas for first place in the South Division.

Wausau 2 @ Rochester 3 - The Rochester Grizzlies win a second consecutive game over the Wausau Cyclones. After dominating the shot count in the first period, the Grizzlies got on the board with a late goal from Jake Kusch. In the second, the Cyclones fired back with a goal from Sean Hall to tie the game heading into the final frame. In the middle of the third, the Grizzlies scored two quick goals, including one on the power play from Julian Mollerstrandh. The Cyclones mounted a comeback attempt late in the period, but they were only able to get one goal back, and Rochester secured the 3-2 win. 

Granite City 2 @ Mason City 3 - At home, the Mason City Toros edged the Granite City Lumberjacks 3–2. Mason City struck just nine seconds into the opening period, as Christian Plaga buried a power-play goal with Luke Gustafson and Grant Harder picking up the assists. Granite City responded early in the second with a power-play tally from Micah Saxon, assisted by Ty Smith and Eli Tiernan, but the Toros reclaimed the lead late in the frame when T.J. Gibson beat Nathan Mach at 18:08 off feeds from Plaga and Ayden Bahr. The Lumberjacks pulled even once more early in the third on another power-play goal from Eli Tiernan, assisted by Coltin Wassengeso and Teagan Dodge. Mason City answered back for good at 11:30, as Jason Williams netted the game-winner with help from Mason Buchanan and Grant Harder. Jannes Kamp stopped 28 shots for the Toros, who finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Lumberjacks went 2-for-4 in the loss.

Alexandria 5 @ Minnesota (M) 0 - The Alexandria Blizzard put on a great performance to shut out the Minnesota Moose on the road. After a scoreless first period, Grady Stallman shocked everyone watching by finding the back of the net twice with two shorthanded goals to end the period. After maintaining the 2-0 lead for most of the third period, the Blizzard capitalized on an empty net opportunity to extend their lead to three. When it seemed like the game was over, Alexandria scored twice more in the last two minutes to end the game with a 5-0 final score. The Moose were actually the dominant team when it came to shots, as they had 44 attempts on the Blizzard goaltender Jayden Serene, who stopped all 44 to earn a shutout. The Blizzard redeem themselves from the night before as they get back in the win column.

Minnesota (W) 0 @ Minnesota (W) 4  - The Willmar WarHawks soared to a 4–0 home victory over the Minnesota Wilderness. Hayden Stensrud opened the scoring at 14:16 of the first period, assisted by Kaiden Jackson. The WarHawks poured it on in the second, with Max Jackson adding a goal at 13:22 off a feed from Parker Lycke, followed by Elliot Domagala at 19:07, assisted by Lucas Thelen and Dylan Mees. Gabe Adams capped the scoring with a power-play goal at 5:59 of the third, set up by Mees and Timothy Vaculik. Sam Moen was stellar in net, stopping all 20 shots for the shutout and earning first-star honors. Max Jackson grabbed a goal and the second star, highlighting a strong all-around performance. Willmar outshot Minnesota 45–20, and disciplined play limited the Wilderness to just two minor penalties, leaving them unable to break through the WarHawks’ defense. The win kept Willmar dominant at home, sending fans home buzzing after a memorable night.

Peoria 0 @ Wisconsin 7 - The Wisconsin Woodsmen put on a dominant showing, rolling past the Peoria Mustangs 7–0. Wisconsin opened the scoring midway through the first as Tyler Osborne found the back of the net at 11:56 with Patrick Bowser earning the assist. The Woodsmen added two more before the break, with Bowser scoring at 1:26 off feeds from Tegan O’Brien and Bryce Bechen, followed by Parker Holloway’s goal just 32 seconds later to make it 3–0 after one. The Woodsmen kept rolling in the second, as Nolan Mix extended the lead with a power-play goal at 15:07, assisted by Ty Paulios and Brodie Mich. Mix struck again in the third at 14:49, set up by O’Brien, before Jack Dahl added another at 12:52 with help from Ethan Foiles. Daniel Horvath capped the scoring with a power-play tally at 10:21, assisted by Brandon Slasor and Ozbej Muzan. In goal, Lleyton Jaschke was flawless, stopping all 23 shots he faced to earn his second consecutive shutout. 

St. Louis 3 @ West Bend 5  - The West Bend Power skated past the St. Louis Jr. Blues with a 5–3 win in a back-and-forth Central Division matchup, keeping the Power undefeated on home ice. St. Louis opened the scoring late in the first with a power-play goal from Mitchell Nappier at 16:52, assisted by Jace Jordan and Caden Lindley, and extended the lead early in the second when Nicholas Cissi scored at 10:17. West Bend responded quickly and flipped the game on its head. Evan Burchardt got the Power on the board at 12:20, set up by Shaun Paulson and Tristan Hearley, before Mason Wanka tied the game minutes later. Blake Kohnen capped the surge with a clutch goal in the final seconds of the period, giving West Bend its first lead heading into the third. Jace Fitzgerald added an insurance marker at 17:42 of the third, and Danny Jurcich sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Bozeman 6 @ Gillette 2 - The Bozeman Icedogs went on the road to take on the Gillette Wild. In the opening period the Icedogs would get on the board first with a power play goal from Baron Masopust, Preston Wight and Michael Reich picking up the assist. Right before the end of the period the Wild would get on the board with a short handed goal from Donovan Balek, assisted by Dylan Herold and Brayden Waters. In the second period the Icedogs would take the lead back with Baron Masopust’s second goal of the night, Andrew Kaunas and Preston Wight getting another assist. After that the Wild would answer back with a power play goal from Beau Delich, Dylan Herold and Riley Schmidt picking up the assist. The Icedogs would come back with another goal, Reid Wilkinson scoring with an assist from Lex Steckelberg and Jacob Harasak. The Icedogs would score again to build their lead with a goal from Sam Trufant, Michael Reich and Seth Hanson picking up the assist. In the final period the Icedogs would keep their momentum going with a goal from Lex Steckelberg, Seth Hanson and Devin Bruns getting the assist. To end the game Lex Steckelberg would score again, this time on a power play, Michael Reich and Preston Wight each getting another assist. The Icedogs bounce back with a win over the Wild 6-2.

Sheridan 2 @ Helena 5 - The Sheridan Hawks went on the road to take on the Helena Bighorns. In the opening period the Bighorns would take an early lead on a power play goal from Austin Tyler, being assisted by Kade Pareja and Blake Chapman. The Hawks would then get on the board with a power play goal of their own, Elijah Farris scoring with an assist from Easton Langemo and Elijah White. In the second period the Bighorns would take the lead back with a power play goal from Caden Feinstein, Cameron Kimmerly and Ty Schell picking up the assist. The Bighorns would score on another power play goal this time from Braden Davis, Austin Tyler and Austin Uecker getting the assist. In the final period the Bighorns would keep extending their lead with a goal from Ty Schell, assisted by Casey Barriteau and Tyler Parsons. The Bighorns would keep lighting up the scoreboard with another power play goal, Cameron Kimmerly getting a goal of his own, Ty Schell and Caden Feinstein returning the assist. With just 3 minutes left the Hawks would get back on the board with a power play goal from Caden Gleason, Deagan Watson and Jeff Slivon with the assist. The Bighorns defeat the Hawks 5-2.

Butte 3 @ Badlands 4 - The Butte Irish went on the road to take on the Badlands Sabres. In the opening period the Irish would get on the board first with a power play goal from Keegan Adams, Anthony Vande Hei and Loghan Weber getting the assist. The Sabres would then answer back with a goal from Maddox Harn, Cole Schneider and Justin Reams picking up the assist. In the second period the Sabres would take their first lead of the game with a goal from Wyatt Pink, Carter Kilen and Randall Roblyer picking up the assist. The Irish would then score on another power play goal from Bryce Hodges, assisted by Andrew James and Loghan Weber. Bryce Hodges would then score again with another power play goal, Alexander Wainio and Loghan Weber getting the assist, his third of the game. In the final period the Sabres would tie the game up with a Gavin Marx goal, being assisted by Ethan Seanor and Matthew Cordis. With just 2 minutes left, the Sabres would find the game winner with a power play goal from Teagan Lubinski, Rhylan Olson and Kyyan Jahner getting the assist. The Sabres make a third period comeback to defeat the Irish 4-3.