Saturday Scores: New Mexico Takes the Win in Shootout Fashion

Provided by Kristian Rodriguez

Austin 4 @ Texas 6 - A series of early icings and a quiet first period quickly turned into an exciting competition as the Texas Brahmas went on to defeat the Austin Ice Bats 6-4. For fans seeking a flurry of scoring chances, the first period left little to be desired as a series of penalties prevented either side from having that breakout moment. It was the Brahams who got the physicality game started early in the second period but struggled to find the answer in front of the net. Both teams continued to pressure their opponent, which eventually led to the Brahams' first goal of the season. Showing great discipline after a failed breakaway attempt and a second shot that sailed over the net, it was Joshua Reaska who was able to locate the puck out in front and bury it in the back of the net to give the Brahmas a 1-0 lead. The game remained quiet until the 4:48 mark of the period when Reaska and Andon Harwood went on an odd-man rush, resulting in a goal for Harwood on the setup pass from Reaska. Determined not to allow the game to get away from them, the Ice Bats' Marek Gallenberger would put his team within one just 26 seconds after Harwood's goal. The Ice Bats were not done yet, as Tres Perardi would score his first goal of the season as he buried one in the back of the net just over a minute later to tie the game up at two. A back and forth second period yielded more goals as John Scharf scored for The Texas Brahmas on the power play to put his team back on top. However, Guhnar Hillman for The Ice Bats answered the call on a quick counter attack with just 22 seconds left in the period to send the game into the third tied at three. It was the defense for the Brahmas that helped get the offense going again in the third after carrying the puck into the zone to allow John Scharf to find the back of the net for his second of the night. Jason Fatta would score the game winning goal for the Brahams with 7:42 to go in the period, and would also locate the empty netter with just a second left in the game. After, Karson Abel put his The Ice Bats within one on a short handed goal with just under 90 seconds to go in the game. In the end, it was The Brahams who would secure their first win of the season, turning a quiet game into an action-packed finish. 

Tulsa 5 @ Oklahoma City 2 - The Tulsa Oilers bounce back after a tough loss Friday night to beat the Oklahoma City Warriors 5-2. Luke Yahola would be the only difference-maker, as he put the Oilers on top 1-0 with 6:26 to go in the first period. Tulsa would go on to flood the net with shots during the first, outshooting Oklahoma City 19-7. The Oilers would break the game wide open in the second period on goals by Chase Boswell and John Scown. Scown's goal would come short-handed as Tulsa was serving a minor penalty for too many men on the ice. Yet, the Warriors were motivated not to give up. Benjamin Craft would nab his first goal of the season and put his team within two with 11:36 to go in the final 20 minutes of play. Jesse Mismash went on to secure his first goal of the season with 3:32 left to play as he sent one pass the netminder. Ultimately, Oklahoma City would fall short after empty net goals by Raul Galdzhian and John Scown. Both teams head into next weekend 1-3 on the season. 

Long Beach 5 @ New Jersey 3 - After a hard fought battle on Friday, the Long Beach Sharks and New Jersey Titans met again for the second game of the series, both looking to gain momentum early in the game. The Titans struck first in the first period, beginning what would be an offensive back and forth first period. Long Beach responded with a goal of their own which was immediately followed by two more Titan goals by Charis Tonle and Lincoln Walters. Sharks defenseman James Steinberg would round out the first period with a late goal with less than a minute remaining. This brought the score to 2-3 with the Sharks trailing. The second period the Sharks found three goals, all unanswered by the Titans. Steinberg recorded two of these goals, completing a hat trick in the second period. The third period was scoreless by both teams, allowing Long Beach to complete the comeback and secure the 5-3 win over the Titans. 

Wausau 1 @ Rochester 4 - After sweeping their first series against the Wausau Cyclones, the Rochester Grizzlies proved they are ready for the new season. Rochester scored early in the first period with a rebound goal from Konnor Goclan. Carter Kerkenbush scored on a turnover in the offensive zone, giving the Grizzlies their second goal of the night. The Wausau Cyclones cut the goal deficit in half during the second period with a goal from Nate Spencer. The Cyclones goaltender, Parker Nevenhoven, kept Rochester scoreless in the second period, making eight saves on eight shots. Alexander Wainio scored his first career NA3HL goal on a wrist shot in the third period to extend the Grizzlies’ lead. The Grizzlies ended the night with an empty-net goal scored by Goclan, making the final score 4-1. Goclan was named the first star of the game with two goals.

West Bend 4 @ Peoria 0 - The West Bend Power once again took the win over the Peoria Mustangs. West Bend goaltender Jacob Iallonardo earned himself a shutout on Saturday, successfully stopping all 31 shots fired by the Mustangs. The Power opened up the first period early with a goal from Adam Sexton. Later in the first Otis Berge would find the back of the net, bringing the score to 2-0 after the first period. West Bend would find their remaining two goals in the second period, when both Zachary Halling and Shaun Paulson would bring the score to 4-0. The third period. was scoreless by both teams, allowing West Bend to cruise to the victory. 

St. Louis 1 @ Wisconsin 3 - The Wisconsin Woodsmen sweep the weekend against the St. Louis Jr. Blues with a 3-1 victory. The Tomah Ice Center saw a scoreless first period between the Jr. Blues and Woodsmen. The Woodsmen put heavy pressure on the Jr. Blues, even getting chances on the penalty kill, and finally broke the ice in the second period. On a routine clear on the penalty kill, the puck got away from Jr. Blues goaltender Vinny Majino, and Parker Holloway pounced on it for a short-handed goal. After 40 minutes, the Woodsmen led 1-0. The Woodsmen added to their lead in the third period with goals by Andrei Khomenko and Cameron Hovden to make it 3-0. Off an offensive zone faceoff with five minutes left, Jr. Blues forward Wyatt Thomas whacked the puck right off the draw to score his first of the season. The Woodsmen held on to secure a 3-1 win, defeating the Jr. Blues back-to-back nights.

West Texas 5 @ New Mexico 6 (SO) – The New Mexico Ice Wolves defeated the West Texas Wranglers in a shootout victory.  The Wranglers scored first on a short-handed goal by Bryan Richards in the first period. The Wranglers scored on a goal by Zac Polkes immediately following a faceoff. Nathan Zane scored early in the second period, giving the Wranglers a 3-0 lead. The Ice Wolves quickly answered with a goal by Cavin Ryder, making it a 3-1 game. The Wranglers gained their 3-goal lead when Polkes was left unattended in front of the net shortly past the midway point of the second period. The Ice Wolves responded, closing the gap to 4-2 on a backhand goal by Bryson Quimpy. With less than a minute left in the second period, Grant Sexton scored on a rebound, keeping the Ice Wolves within 1 goal. The Ice Wolves tied the game early in the third period with a goal by Quimby. Braxton Burkett gave the Ice Wolves their first lead of the night with a snap shot from the point. With less than 3 minutes remaining in the third period, Mark Schaefer scored a power-play goal for the Wranglers, ultimately sending the game into overtime. Both goaltenders held firm during a scoreless overtime, sending the game into a shootout. The Wranglers and the Ice Wolves traded goals, but after 7 consecutive skaters missed their attempts, Dominic Fosco scored to secure the Ice Wolves’ victory.

Badlands 4 @ Helena 6 – The Helena Bighorns defeated the Badlands Sabres at home. The game got off to a hot start, with Adam Pflugrath-Davis scoring the first for the Sabres. However, two minutes later, Chase Berg scored on the power play for the Bighorns to tie it early. Soon after that, Gavin Compozzi-Koehler found the back of the net to help the Sabres regain the lead. Then, John Freitas scored for Helena to even the game. Badlands took the lead into the first intermission with a power-play goal from Justin Reams. Helena dominated the second period, scoring two goals and only allowing the Sabres to shoot seven times. Kento Sanchez-Maruyama and Cal Kellenberg put the Bighorns up, scoring their second-period goals. Helena carried this momentum into the third period, with Tyler Parsons scoring to extend their lead. Dayton Niedert scored the Sabres' final goal of the night on the power play. Parsons scored his second of the night shortly after to secure the 6-4 win for the Bighorns.

Sheridan 3 @ Great Falls 2 – The Sheridan Hawks defeated the Great Falls Americans, handing them their first regulation loss of the season. Cole Bishow kicked off the scoring for the Hawks with a rebound off Luke Arteaga’s shot. Later in the period, Jacob Weber scored for the Americans to equalize the game. Soon after, Max Krueger scored for Seridan to secure the lead going into the second period. The second period was very defensive, with neither team scoring and only allowing 20 shots on goal total. In the third period, Krueger extended the Hawks' lead, scoring his second of the game. Paxon Sacre scored a short-handed goal, the Americans' final goal, but the Hawks remained on top with a 3-2 win.

Yellowstone 6 @ Gillette 5 - The Yellowstone Quake scored two power-play goals in the third period to defeat the Gillette Wild 6-5. The Wild started the first period strong, logging five shots on goal in the opening seven minutes, including a goal by Maguire DeWees from a sharp angle in the corner. However, similar to last night's match, Carson Joersz tied it up two minutes later with his sixth goal of the season. Even with the Wild controlling possession, the Quake took the lead before the period ended on a breakaway goal by Shayne Smith. The Wild opened the second period with three goals in six minutes. 22 seconds into the period, Thomas McDonald beat Quake goalie Damen Baxter over his shoulder to tie the game. Three minutes later, DeWees assisted Dylan Crossley on a power-play goal, giving the Wild the lead. Donovan Balek scored a third unanswered goal for the Wild on an odd-man rush, extending the Wild’s lead to 4-2. Both teams continued to exchange goals, with Smith scoring his second of the game. However, Beau Delich answered with a goal off the rush, restoring the Wild’s two-goal lead. Just over a minute later, Mason Chapmon drove the net hard and scored on his backhand, cutting the Wild’s lead to one. The Wild entered the third period leading 5-4. In the opening minute of the third period, Joersz scored a power-play goal to tie the game 5-5. With six minutes left, Grady Perry cleaned up a rebound for another Quake power-play goal and the lead. The Wild pulled their goaltender with 1:17 left, but the Quake held on, completed the comeback, and swept the weekend against the Wild.

Butte 3 @ Bozeman 1 - The Butte Irish defeated the Bozeman Icedogs 3-1 for their first win of the season. Jonathon Parks appeared to score the game's first goal in the first period, but it was disallowed due to a hand pass. The first period finished tied at zero. Icedogs goaltender Jack Ryan misplayed the puck behind his net, and the Irish capitalized on the miscue as Kaleb Ivens broke the scoreless tie to start the second period. With eleven minutes left in the period, Seth Hanson tied the game for the Icedogs with his first goal of the year. But before the second period ended, Jacob Avgustovskiy reclaimed the lead with a nice move off the rush. The Icedogs pulled their goalie in hopes of tying the game, but a turnover behind the empty net allowed Jack Whitelaw to score, giving the Irish an insurance marker en route to their first victory of the season.