Saturday Scores: #1 seeds in driver's seat after Game 2 wins
Midwest Division Finals, Game 2: MN Wilderness 2 @ Fairbanks 3 (OT) (Fairbanks leads best of 5 series, 2-0) – For the second straight night, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs needed overtime to get past the Minnesota Wilderness. On Saturday night, it was a Reggie Lutz power play goal 2:33 into the extra frame that was the difference. After a scoreless 1st period, the Ice Dogs jumped ahead 1-0 on goals from Adam Anderson. That was answered immediately and just :22 seconds later on a goal from Casey Gilling. In the 3rd period, the Ice Dogs went back up by a goal on a tally from Jakob Stridsberg, but again the Wilderness had a quick answer, this time from Isak Bergland with just 4:27 to go in regulation. Lutz made quick work of a 5 on 3 power play in overtime as he one-timed a slapshot from the high slot that beat Wilderness goalie Luke Kania. Gavin Nieto made 32 saves in the win, while Kania made 31 saves in the loss as the series shifts to Cloquet, MN for Game 3 on Friday. Boxscore
South Division Finals, Game 2: Topeka 4 @ Wichita Falls 5 (Wichita Falls leads best of 5 series, 2-0) – The Wildcats erased a 4-2 deficit with three goals in 12 minutes in the 3rd period to defeat the visiting RoadRunners, 5-4 to take a 2-0 lead in the best of five South Finals. It was the Wildcats 20th straight win on home ice. The two teams traded goals in the 1st period with Jack Nickels scoring for Topeka and Aleksi Poikola answering back for the Wildcats. Wichita Falls took a 2-1 lead with a goal early in the 2nd period from Austin Beaulieu, but the RoadRunners would answer with three straight goals to take a 4-2 lead early in the 3rd period, which included tallies from JB Baker, Tyler Hayes and Sami Tavernier. The Wildcats stormed back in the 3rd period, including goals from Adam Goodsir, Austin Albrecht and the game-winner with 3:46 remaining from Poikola, his second goal of the night. Justin Kapelmaster made 30 saves in the win, while Juho Niku made 27 saves in the loss. Boxscore
Central Division Finals, Game 2: Austin 1 @ Bismarck 4 (Bismarck leads best of 5 series, 2-0) – Travis Wood had a three-point night and goalie Hunter Shepard was again solid as the Bobcats took a 2-0 series lead with a 4-1 win at home in Game 2 of the Central Finals over the Austin Bruins. The Bobcats once again were helped by a strong start, jumping out to a 2-0 lead with a 1st period goal from Tobias Fladeby and a goal early in the 2nd period from Wood. The Bruins cut the lead to 2-1 with their lone goal of the night from Travis Kothenbeutel, but the Bobcats would respond before the period was out on a power play goal from Jared Pike with just :02 seconds remaining in the frame. Willie Brown added a 3rd period insurance goal to secure the win. Shepard made 25 saves in the win, while Kris Carlson made 26 saves in the loss. Boxscore
East Division Finals, Game 2: Johnstown 3 @ Aston 4 (OT) (Aston leads best of 5 series, 2-0) – Eric Carreras scored 3:41 into overtime as the Aston Rebels came from behind to defeat Johnstown, 4-3 and take a 2-0 series lead in the best of five East Finals. The Rebels jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal from Friday’s hero Andrew Bellant. The Tomahawks would respond with two straight goals from Zak Galambos and Anthony Parrucci to take a 2-1 lead to the lockerroom after two periods. In a wild 3rd period, the Rebels would answer on a goal from Drew Blackmun to tie the game at 2-2. Johnstown regained the lead on another goal from Parrucci, but again the Rebels had an answer, this time from Ryan Cusin to send the game to OT. Carreras’ game-winner came as his rebound chance in front snuck under the pad of Tomahawks goalie Andrew Lindgren, who thought he had made the save. Darion Hanson made 18 saves in the win, while Lindgren made 24 saves in the loss. Boxscore
