Brahmas, Rebels claim close wins on Day 1 of Robertson Cup
Gianluca Esteves fires a goal in the Aston Rebels 4-2 win on Day 1 of the 2017 NAHL Robertson Cup.
Robertson Cup Semi-Final #1: Aston Rebels 4 vs. Aberdeen Wings 2 (Aston leads series, 1-0) – The Aston Rebels jumped out to a 3-0 lead and withstood a furious Wings rally to hang on to win Game 1 of their Semi-Final by a score of 4-2 on Thursday afternoon. Mareks Mitens made 30 saves in the win, while Drew Blackmun had three points for the Rebels. In the late stages of 1st period, the Rebels were able to jump ahead 1-0 as Carter Wooley smashed home a one-timer in the low slot past the pad of Wings goalie Forbes Ploszaj. Just over three mintes later, Aston made it 2-0 as Gianluca Esteves got a pass in the high slot and blasted one over the blocker of Ploszaj for a two-goal lead. The lead increased to 3-0 in the 2nd period as Dom Garcia took advantage of a Wings turnover in the neutral zone and sniped a shot over the shoulder of Ploszaj. The Wings stormed back late in the 2nd period. Their first goal came via the power play as Colton Fletcher got a nice pass from Carter Roo and slipped a shot over the shoulder of Rebels goalie Mareks Mitens to make the socre 3-1. In the very late stages of the 2nd period, the Wings made it 3-2 as a turnover got the puck to Kevin Fitzgerald in front who first a quick wrist shot to beat Mitens with just .6 seconds remaining in the period. In the 3rd period, each team had eight shots, but the Wings could not solve Mitens for the equalizer and Blackmun added a late empty-net goal to make the final score, 4-2. Ploszaj ended up with 20 saves in the Wings loss. With the win the Rebels lead the best of three series, 1-0. Game 2 is Friday at 4:30pm. Boxscore
Robertson Cup Semi-Final #2: Lone Star Brahmas 3 vs. Janesville Jets 2 (OT) (Lone Star leads series, 1-0) – Extra time was needed in Robertson Cup Semi-Final #2 as the Lone Star Brahmas found more playoff OT magic as Drake Glover fired a heavy wrist shot on a rush to net the game-winner as the Brahmas defeated the Janesville Jets in Game 1 of their Semi-Final, 3-2. The Brahmas jumped on the board first in the opening period as Pete Kessel deposited a rebound past Jets goalie Jake Barczewski after he had stopped an initial try by Drake Glover. The 2nd period was controlled by the Jets as they tied the game at 1-1 midway through the period as Kip Hoffman was the recipient of some nice dangling by linemate Cullen Munson, as he slipped a shot past Brahmas goalie Max Prawdzik. Five minutes later it was Keegan Miller who found himself alone after a nice saucer pass on a 2 on 1 with Ian Malcolmson and Miller slipped a shot under Prawdzik for a 2-1 Jets lead. In the 3rd period, the Brahmas tied the game on the power play as the puck got turned over to the point where Brahmas captain and defenseman John Zimmerman fired a shot that beat a screened Barczewski to tie the game at 2-2. Just over halfway through the overtime, Glover got the puck in the neutral zone and cut into the high slot, where he used the defenseman as a screen, firing a shot past Barczewski for the game-winner. Max Prawdzik made 28 saves in the win, while Barczewski made 30 saves in the loss. With the win, the Brahmas take a 1-0 lead in the best of three series. Game 2 in Friday at 7:30pm. Boxscore
