Bobcats, Bruins and Tomahawks Survive, Maine and Wisconsin Advance
Austin and Johnstown survived to force a Game 5 Monday. (Photo credits: Cover: Laurie Stroh, Inside photos: Patty Bockoven & Phil Andraychak)
Rochester 2 @ Johnstown 3 (OT) (East Division Semifinals Tied 2-2): Facing elimination for the second straight game, the Johnstown Tomahawks force a Game 5 versus the Rochester Jr. Americans, after defeating them 2-1 Saturday night. Entering the game, Rochester had one goal in mind, and that was to advance to the next round of the Robertson Cup Playoffs, however the Tomahawks had something to say about that. Bursting with offense right out of the gate, Cullen Emery lit the lamp just 37 seconds into the opening frame. With steady play throughout the remainder of the period, Sam Blanton broke loose and saw his shot hit the back of the net to extend Johnstown’s lead. Although Rochester had four penalties in the first period, they were lucky to escape down by just a pair. Strong scoring chances continued in the second, as shots kept piling on from both sides. However, a scoreless period would mean the Jr. Americans had some ground to make up in the third. Looking to come back, Calle Karlsson ripped a shot past the netminder 17 seconds in. With a full period ahead, Rochester had a fighting chance to even things up. The team kept firing shots away, until Jaden Dyke evened the score with under two minutes left in regulation. Heading into overtime for the second straight night, the Tomahawks were on a mission to keep their season alive and did just that, thanks to Caden Olenczak ending it early. Goaltender Nick Avakyan stood on his head, stopping 37-39 to force a Game 5.
Maryland 2 @ Maine 5 (Maine wins East Division Semifinals 3-1): The Maine Nordiques punched their ticket to the East Division Finals with a 5-2 win over the Maryland Black Bears on Saturday night. The Nordiques opened the scoring midway through the first period with a power-play goal from Laurent Trepanier. They continued to dominate, and just minutes later, Connor McNaughton extended the lead with a quick strike. Tomek Haula added a third goal before the period ended, sending Maine into the first intermission with a strong 3-0 advantage. Maryland answered early in the second period. Josh Frenette found the back of the net and gave the Black Bears a little hope. Early in the third, Maine put the game out of reach. Ethan Wongus scored just seconds into the period to restore their three-goal cushion. A few minutes later, Zion Green added to the lead, making it 5-1. Maryland’s Kareem El Bashir netted a late goal, but the Nordiques managed the final minutes without allowing any further threats. Carter Richardson was a difference-maker in net, saving 36 saves on 38 shots. Maryland’s Marko Bilic made 19 saves on 24 shots in the loss. With the 3-1 series win, the Nordiques advance to the East Division Finals where they’ll face off against either the Rochester Jr. Americans or the Johnstown Tomahawks.
Wisconsin 7 @ Chippewa 3 (Wisconsin wins Midwest Division Semifinals 3-1): The Chippewa Steel entered Game 4 of their Midwest Division Semifinals matchup with a simple mission. They needed to win to keep their season alive and force Game 5. Unfortunately, they could not accomplish this on Saturday night. The Steel opened the scoring in Game 4 thanks to Connor Jalbert. However, the Wisconsin Windigo tied the game before the first intermission. From there, the game got away from the hosting Steel. The Windigo scored four unanswered goals, with three coming in the second period. Chippewa added two of their own in the third period. Unfortunately, this was not enough as Wisconsin won 7-3. As a result, the Windigo have advanced to the Midwest Division Finals, where they will face the Anchorage Wolves.
Bismarck 4 @ Aberdeen 3 (2OT) (Central Division Semifinals Tied 2-2): Bismarck outlasted Aberdeen 4-3 in double overtime to survive and force a decisive game five. The Wings struck first just 2:21 seconds into game four. The goal came off the stick of Cade Moxham on the power play. Moxham’s second of the postseason was set up by Grant Winkler and Jibber Kuhl along with the Tommy Cronin tripping minor 55 seconds prior. The Bobcats answered midway through the opening frame. Ian Engel scored off a feed from Gabe Kenne to level the contest. Aberdeen’s penalty killing unit kept game four scoreless late in the period as the team hit the dressing room knotted at one. Both teams survived a pair of man advantages in the front half of the second period before the Wings struck again. This time it was Ryder Many Grey Horses finding his first of the playoffs. The goal came at even strength with Winkler and Moxham each notching their second points of the game via assists. Bismarck then again punched back. Nick Snyder buried the Tristen Trevino feed to re-tie the game 4:36 after Aberdeen’s strike. The Wings killed their fifth penalty shortly after the game-tying goal to push the contest to the second intermission. The score remained level at two apiece. The third saw Aberdeen again jump ahead. This time Owen Pitters found the back of the net. Briggs Orr and Luke Backel earned the apples on the Pitters tally. With the time beginning to run out on Bismarck’s season, Julian Beaumont stepped up in a huge way. He tied the game at three with under six minutes to play. Tommy Cronin and Keanu Krenn also earned points on the Bobcats’ third game-tying goal of the evening. 60 minutes was not enough to declare a winner. Game four required extra hockey. The first 20 minutes of overtime came and went. Aberdeen outshot Bismarck 13-8 in the frame but goaltenders Thomas Anderson and Damon Cunningham stood tall. The second overtime period saw the ice begin to tilt in the Bobcats’ favor. Shots were 7-4 Bismarck around the halfway mark of the second extra frame. Then, Bismarck’s Keanu Krenn played the role of hero. He beat Cunningham at 10:48 in the second overtime. Krenn’s game-winning tally was assisted by Cronin and Snyder. Anderson stopped 52 of the 55 shots he faced in the victory for Bismarck. Cunningham made 46 saves in 50 tries for Aberdeen. The series-deciding game five is scheduled for Monday night at 7:15 CST. The winner will move on to the Central Division Finals to face either Austin or Minot.
Austin 4 @ Minot 3 (2OT) (Central Division Semifinals Tied 2-2): During the first period, Ryan Lund scored for the Bruins with help from Zander Lipsett and John Hirschfield. Luc Malkhassian increased the lead with help from Gavin Hruza. In the second period, Ludvig Mellgren scored assisted by Evan Malkhassian and Hirschfield. During the third period, Jack O’Hanisain put the Minotauros on the board with help from Ian Spencer and Billy Batten. Gavin Middendorf scored a goal assisted by Spencer and Landon Fleming. Middendorf scored with assists from Jordan Gibbs and John Small to tie the game. The first overtime was scoreless. In double overtime, Hruza scored with help from Ashton Bynum and Jackson Rilei to get the win for the Austin Bruins. Jack Solomon made 48 saves for the Austin Bruins and Luke Swedin made 42 saves for the Minot Minotauros.
