Saturday Scores: Overtimes Highlight Wild Night Around League
Aberdeen tied up their series with Bismarck after an overtime victory. (Photos by James Harding, Shannon Schlinger)
El Paso 3 @ Shreveport 2 (4OT) (South Division Semifinals, Series Tied 1-1): Eddie Shepler’s shorthanded goal ended the marathon in Shreveport as the Rhinos evened the series with the Mudbugs with a 3-2 win in Game 2. The clubs traded goals in the second period as Brayden Cook put Shreveport ahead first midway through. Luke Lindsay evened the game in the closing seconds of the frame. Logan Heroux put the Mudbugs back up by one early in the third with his first of the postseason. Then in the final minute of regulation, Bradley Walker came around on a wraparound attempt with the rebound coming right out to Medrick Bolduc who buried the game tying goal. That set the stage for Shepler who scored just 2:13 into the fourth overtime, ending the third longest game in NAHL history. Michael Manzi was victorious in goal as he stopped 49 shots while Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau suffered the loss despite making 45 saves.
New Mexico 0 @ Lone Star 2 (South Division Semifinals, Lone Star Leads Series 2-0): The Lone Star Brahmas shutout the New Mexico Ice Wolves 2-0 as they took a 2-0 lead in the series as well. After no goals were scored in the first 40 minutes of action, Brock James lit the lamp to put Lone Star ahead for good. Ivan Zadvernyuk added an empty net goal late to ice the game for the Brahmas. Jack Wieneke needed just 14 saves to pick up the shutout for Lone Star while Andy Vlaha was busy on the other end, as he finished with 40 saves.
Janesville 0 @ Wisconsin 2 (Midwest Division Semifinals, Wisconsin Leads Series 2-0): Max Beckford turned aside all 29 shots he faced as the Wisconsin Windigo blanked the Janesville Jets 2-0 in their division semifinal series. It was Jacob Jastrzebski who broke the ice very early in the third period. He would add insurance just a few minutes later with his second of the night. Matthew Alberti was stuck with the loss despite making 30 stops.
Minnesota 1 @ Anchorage 2 (OT) (Midwest Division Semifinals, Anchorage Leads Series 2-0): Tyler Hennen was the overtime hero as the Anchorage Wolverines took home a Game 2 victory over the Minnesota Wilderness. After a scoreless 40 minutes, Joe Cesario broke the deadlock with his first goal of the postseason. Anchorage would respond five minutes later with Cole Christian converting a chance on the power play. The game needed overtime where Hennen found the back of the net just 3:48 into the fourth period. Liam Beerman earned the win in the blue paint as he made 32 saves. Adam Prokop was excellent for Minnesota, allowing just two goals on 33 attempts.
New Jersey 2 @ Maryland 3 (OT) (East Division Semifinals, Maryland Leads Series 2-0): The Maryland Black Bears seal the deal in overtime over the New Jersey Titans to secure Game Two of the Division Semifinals. The Black Bears opened up the scoring in the first period, netting a pair of goals, up two throughout the first twenty minutes thanks to Riley Ruh and Dimitry Kebreau. After a quiet second period, New Jersey tied things up netting a pair of goals themselves, Ryan Novo scoring the first before Jack Hillier’s penalty shot goal. Just one minute into overtime, Riley Ruh scored his second of the night to take the victory. Owen Lepak made 29 of 31 saves for the win, while Dylan Krick made 33 of 36 saves.
Rochester 2 @ Maine 5 (East Division Semifinals, Maine Leads Series 2-0): The Maine Nordiques pick up where they left off, defeating the Rochester Jr. Americans by a score of 5-2. Zion Green and Nick Ramm each tallied one goal in the first period putting the Nordiques up 2-0 through the first twenty minutes. Scoring continued for Maine as they scored the lone goal of the period by Alexander Park, the eventual game winning goal. The final frame was busy on both sides, as each team was able to tally two goals a piece. The Americans goals coming from Luca Leighton and Thomas Rockey, while Shane Kozlina and Charles Tardif scored for Maine. Carter Richardson made 45 of 47 saves for the win, while Cole O’Donnell made 28 of 31 saves.
Aberdeen 3 @ Bismarck 2 (OT) (Central Division Semifinals, Series Tied 1-1): Leonid Bulgakov buried his 2nd of the game 44 seconds into the extra period to lift the Wings past Bismarck and even the series. After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Mathieu Bourgault broke the deadlock with his 13th of the season before Bulgakov got his first to level the scores. Drew Mackie scored early for Aberdeen in the 3rd to put them in the drivers seat but Kade Kohanski leveled the scores for the Bobcats to send the game to overtime. Adam Dybal was the victor between the pipes, stopping 29 of 31 shots faced. Stephen Peck kept out 19 shots for the Bobcats.
Austin 1 @ Minot 3 (Central Division Semifinals, Minot Leads Series 2-0): The Minotauros held the Bruins to just a goal in consecutive nights to secure a 2-0 series lead heading into Minnesota next weekend. After a scoreless 1st period, Ian Spencer found the back of the net on a breakaway for his 3rd of the weekend. Nicholas Sewecke extended the lead midway through the final frame. John Hirschfeld cut the deficit in half for Austin but Niklas Ketonen sealed the victory minutes later, also his 3rd goal of the weekend. Lukas Swedin kept out all but one of 15 shots faced. Trent Wiemken made 21 saves for the Bruins.
