Saturday Scores: New Jersey sweep shakes up East standings
Amarillo goalie Andrew Takacs stopped 44 of 45 shots in a weekend sweep of New Mexico to move his season record to 9-1-1.
Johnstown 3 @ New Jersey 4 (SO) - Blake Humphrey’s beautiful goal was the only one in the shootout and it lifted the New Jersey Titans to a 4-3 win over the Johnstown Tomahawks, completing a weekend sweep. Humphrey had a goal during regulation, but it was Stephen Willey’s second of the evening with 10 seconds remaining that forced overtime. Will Margel and Jay Ahearn scored just 67 seconds apart to tie the game midway through the second period before John Gelatt’s 18th of the year gave Johnstown their first lead of the night. Christian Stoever was magnificent as he stopped 52 shots in 65 minutes and then stoned all three shooters in the skills competition. Josh Graziano played well for the Tomahawks, he made 37 saves.
New Mexico 1 @ Amarillo 2 - The Amarillo Bulls earned a weekend series sweep as they doubled up the New Mexico Ice Wolves 2-1. Jere Vaisanen’s power play goal in the first period was the game’s first tally. Spencer Rudrud would net a power play goal of his own in the second frame to knot things up at one. Vaisanen would find the back of the net again at the 7:31 mark of the third period and that would stand as the game winner for Amarillo. Andrew Takacs got his second win in as many nights as he turned aside 27 shots. Beni Halasz took the loss for New Mexico despite making 37 stops.
Odessa 4 @ Wichita Falls 5 - The Wichita Falls Warriors won their 11th straight game as they outlasted the Odessa Jackalopes 5-4. Thomas Weis, Cade Lemmer and Joseph Harguindeguy all had a goal and an assist for the Warriors in the victory. Nick Lanigan and Drew Vieten also got on the scoresheet for Wichita Falls. Owen Bartoszkiewicz won his ninth straight decision and improved to 14-5-3 this season as he made 17 saves. Fletcher Anderson and Jack Musa led all players with three points, Anderson scoring twice and Musa with a goal and two helpers. Connor Hasley was dealt the loss as he stopped 34 of 39 Warrior shots.
Aberdeen 5 @ Austin 4 - The Aberdeen Wings continued their greatest start in team history as they improved to 29-1-1 as they topped the Austin Bruins 5-4. Two goals from Payton Matsui enabled the Wings to get out to a 5-0 lead early in the second period. Nico DeVita and Cade Neilson each had a goal and an assist for Aberdeen while Spencer Schneider also lit the lamp. The Bruins made a valiant effort trying to get back into this one. Connor Mylymok scored twice, Peter Jacobs chipped in a goal and Ben Dexheimer had a goal and an assist for Austin. It was enough as Zakari Brice held on to make 25 saves to earn his first NAHL win in his debut. Tyler Shea and Hudson Hodges combined to make 17 saves for the Bruins.
Bismarck 4 @ St. Cloud 2 - The Bismarck Bobcats ended up taking home three out of a possible four points in their visit to St. Cloud as they scored a 4-2 win on Saturday night. Tim Piechowski, Grant Ahcan and Jon Ziskie all scored in the first period to build a big Bismarck lead after 20 minutes. Ryan Taylor added an empty netter late to solidify the win. Ian Shane locked up win number three for him as he stopped 36 shots. Logan Kittleson and Ryan O’Neill netted goals for the Norsemen while Josh Langford stopped 23 shots in the loss.
MN Magicians 6 @ Fairbanks 2 - After being shutout on Friday, the Minnesota Magicians exploded for six goals on Saturday night, defeating the Fairbanks Ice Dogs 6-2. Trevor Kukkonen led all skaters with a goal and two assists. Simon Falk, Spencer Light, and Luc Laylin each logged a goal and an assist for Minnesota. Delvin McCabe and Lucas Kanta added empty net goals late in the win. Ty Naakens and Jack Ring visited the red-light district for Fairbanks. Andy Beran stopped 33 of 35 shots to pick up his ninth win of the year. Kayden Hargraves got the loss in net as he made 20 stops.
Maine 2 @ Northeast 8 - Brent Keefer found the back of the net twice while David Andreychuk had a goal and two assists as the Northeast Generals blew out the Maine Nordiques 8-2. Liam McCanney registered a goal and an assist for Northeast while John Musella, Jonathan Young, Tyler Cooper and Jake Hosszu all lit the lamp for the Generals. Hugo Haas was busy all night as he made 51 saves to earn his ninth win of the season. Tristan Fasig and James Philpott were the goal scorers for the Nordiques. Avery Sturtz and Tyriq Outen each stopped 12 shots for Maine.
Minot 4 @ MN Wilderness 5 - The Minnesota Wilderness jumped into the playoff picture with a 5-4 win over the Minot Minotauros. Gavin Rasmussen, Zach Michaelis and Mikol Sartor all had a goal and an assist for the Wilderness to lead the offense. Grant Docter and Donte Lawson each got themselves on the scoresheet with goals of their own. Tyler Kostelecky potted a pair of goals for Minot in the loss. Ethan Schmunk and Jay Buchholz also found the back of the net for the Minotauros. Jacob Zacharewicz picked up the win in between the pipes as he made 22 saves. Keenan Rancier was the losing goalie despite making 31 saves.
Janesville 3 @ Kenai River 2 - The Janesville Jets scored twice in 55 seconds in the first period and never looked back en route to a 3-2 win over Kenai River. Tommy Middleton and Dominik Bartecko each tickled the twine in the opening minutes to give their team the lead. Carter Hottmann would add some much-needed insurance with his seventh of the year, a shorthanded tally early in the third. Brandon McNamara and Laudon Poellinger would get the Brown Bears close, but Riley Sims was able to make 29 saves to secure the win for Janesville. Luke Pavicich bounced back nicely after the back-to-back goals, he finished with 20 saves.
