Friday: Bruins, Wings get big wins

Carter Roo scores one of his two goals on Friday in a 4-1 win over Minot (American News photo by John Davis).

Austin 3 @ Brookings 0 – The Austin Bruins’ Jon Richards made himself known with a two-goal performance on Friday night. The Central Division matchup saw two periods of scoring dominated by the 19-year-old from Callaway, Minnesota native. Richards grabbed one goal in each period to give the Bruins their 2-0 lead through 40 minutes. The Bruins’ Justin Misiak would add a final insurance goal for Austin with 10 seconds left in the third period. Robbie Goor took the victory for the Bruins with 29 saves, while Josh Boyko took the loss with 22 saves.   Boxscore

Aston 7 @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 5 – East Division rivals experienced an electric performance on Friday, with twelve goals scored between the two teams. The Knights opened the scoring with a goal from Khristian Acosta to start the first period. Aston answered back, taking control of the scoreboard with two tallies from Ryan Solomon and Ryan Patrick. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton would use goals from Joseph Campolieto and Paul Maust to regain the lead with less than a minute to go in the first. In the second, the Rebels did all the scoring, pulling the lead back in their control with goals from Dustin Manz and Evgeny Yakovlev. Aston would go on to add their fifth and sixth goals of the evening, courtesy of Dom Garcia and Gianluca Esteves, in the third period.  Wilkes-Barre/Scranton brought the game within one with goals from Sam Antonitsch and Curtis Carlson. Aston’s Andrew Bellant would put the nail in the coffin with 27 second left in regulation for the Rebel’s seventh goal of the night. Jack Leavy took the win with 29 saves, while Colt Hanks was given the loss with 32 saves.  Boxscore

Minot 1 @ Aberdeen 4 – Three quick goals from the Aberdeen Wings handed the Minot Minotauros their first loss of the 2016-17 season. The Central Division shake up was started by Colin Raver, who grabbed the first goal of the evening for the Wings. In the second period, Carter Roo scored back-to-back goals, including the game-winner, to aid Aberdeen in the win. Minot’s Nolan Sawchuk found his way on the board with an early third period tally. Aberdeen would wrap up the win with a goal from Carson Dimoff late in the third period. Arrtu Kulmala got his first win in 5 games for Aberdeen with 33 saves through the night. Eric Dop was left with his first loss of the season, despite making 27 saves.  Boxscore

Amarillo 2 @ Wichita Falls 3 – A goal-for-goal game broke out between South Division rivals Amarillo and Wichita Falls to start the weekend for two Texas squads. The Wildcats found the score sheet first with a goal from Ricky Carballo, only to be answered by Amarillo’s Steven Ipri just 9 seconds later. To break the tie score, Wichita Falls’ Roman Kinal buried the puck to put the Wildcats back up by one. The lead didn’t last long again, as the Bulls’ Matt Nehls brought the score to 2-2 with his second period goal. For the third time in the game, Wichita Falls took back their lead with a goal from Aleksi Poikola late in the second period, which became the game-winning goal for the Wilcats. Evan Moyse was given the win with 27 saves, while Nikita Babintsev took the loss despite 29 saves.  Boxscore

Corpus Christi 4 @ Topeka 1 – A quick start for Corpus Christi put them ahead early in the South Division showdown between the Ice Rays and RoadRunners. Corpus Christi’s Cole Filler drew first blood for the Ice Rays, snagging his goal just 33 second into the first period. With no scoring in the second, Corpus Christi fired things back up early in the third period with goals from Andy McGlynn and Josh Tripp. Topeka would find their way on the score sheet with a goal from Jake Rosenbaum in the third. Andy McGlynn would cap the night off with his second goal of the night, giving the Ice Rays the 4-1 win. Tomas Vomacka took the victory for Corpus Christi with 28 saves, while Mike Rockwell took the loss for Topeka with 32 saves. Boxscore

Coulee Region 5 @ Springfield 3 – Midwest Division rivals Coulee Region and Springfield matched up for an action-packed game that was full of scoring. Springfield’s Brennan Blaszczak broke open the scoring with his first period goal to give the Jr. Blues their first lead of the night. Coulee Region’s Caleb Schroer would tie the game up for the Chill just before the end of the first period. In the second, Springfield would take back their lead with a goal from Luke Picek. In similar fashion as the first, Coulee Region’s Taylor Trapp notched another tie-game goal for the Chill with just under a minute to play in the period. In the third, the scoring was all Coulee Region, who took their first lead of the game with an early goal from Steve Quagliata. The Chill’s Alex Falconer would go on to add a fourth goal for Coulee Region. Springfield’s Ryan Leibold brought the Jr. Blues within a goal, until Coulee Region’s Braxton Collins secured the Chill victory with their fifth goal, scored with just 24 seconds remaining in the game. Joe Marcoullier took the win for Coulee Region with 18 saves, while Evan Fear took the loss for Springfield with 28 saves. Boxscore

Odessa 4 @ Shreveport 3 – The battle of the South Division was alive and well in Shreveport, as the Jackalopes and Mudbugs traded goals throughout the night to put on a show. Shreveport’s Garrett Hallford scored first for the home team, holding the Mudbugs’ first period lead up until Odessa’s Ryan MacKeller tied the game with a goal for the Jackalopes. The Mudbugs’ Frankie Melton found the back of the net early in the second period to put Shreveport back in the lead. The Jackalopes found a scoring groove late in the second period, collecting three unanswered goals to give Odessa a 4-2 advantage. Shreveport’s Cameron Cook would bring the Mudbugs within a goal, but the Jackalopes came away with the win. Earning the victory in net for Odessa was Jonny Hogue, who made 41 saves. Boxscore

Janesville 4 @ MN Magicians 5 – The top two teams in the Midwest Division squared off in a close game on Friday night. Janesville’s Keegan Miller opened the scoring, until Minnesota’s Timo Walther netted a goal to bring the score back to even. Peter Bates would put Janesville back on top before the first period ended with a late goal. To start the second, the Jets would go up 3-1 with a goal from Michael Maloney. Shortly after, the Magicians would respond with back-to-back goals from Thomas Altounian and Jake Cass to tie the game. In the opening minutes of the third, Janesville’s Chris Dodero once again pushed the Jets ahead on the scoreboard. The Magician’s Travis Brown rose to the challenge, scoring two goals in a row to put Minnesota in the lead. Brown’s goals, the second becoming the game-winner, were enough to let Minnesota hold on for victory. With the Magicians win, Minnesota is now only 1 point behind Janesville in the standings. Matt Ladd got the win for the Magicians, making 21 saves, while Derek Schaedig took his first regulation loss in six games with 26 saves. Boxscore

Johnstown 8 @ Kenai River 2 – Consistency was key for Johnstown in their 6-2 victory over Kenai River. The Tomahawks’ Nick Bruce and Cameron Smith set the tone early with two quick first period goals. Kenai River answered back with a goal from Ryan Mezera late in the first. The second started with three consecutive goals from Johnstown, coming from Riley Doyon, Filips Buncis, and Donovan Ott. The Brown Bear’s Matthew Thielemann would snag a goal for Kenai River to close out the second. In the third, the Tomahawks’ Samuel Solensky, Adam Pilewicz, and Daniil Bokun continued the scoring, grabbing three more goals to put Johnstown up 8-2. Vinnie Purpura would get the victory in net for Johnstown, while Bailey Seagraves was handed the loss for Kenai River.  Boxscore

New Jersey 4 @ Fairbanks 2 – The Titans held on for a road victory over Fairbanks on Friday in a non-Division contest. New Jersey’s Victor Ostling opened up the scoring with a late first period goal, which was answered by the Ice Dog’s Connor Chilton just 26 seconds later. The second period scoring was dominated by the Titans, as Anthony Cusanelli and Jordan Kaplan each found the back of the net to give New Jersey a 3-1 advantage. In the third, Fairbanks came within one with a goal from Ryan Kero. With four seconds left in regulation, Dylan Healey capped off the night for New Jersey with their fourth goal to secure their win. Brandon Bussi took the win for the Titans, while Fairbanks’ Joshua Sarlo was given the loss. Boxscore