Friday Finals: North Iowa Makes Statement

Michael Malatino had three points in the opening night victory

Johnstown 8 @ Northeast 4 - The Northeast Generals hosted the Johnstown Tomahawks on Friday night with a high scoring contest. Ultimately, the visiting Tomahawks would leave victorious with an 8-4 win. The Tomahawks struck first with a goal by Tronoski. The Generals would even up the score at 1 with a goal half way through the first by Kelly. Near the end of the period, tensions would flare as the Generals took a roughing penalty. The Tomahawks capitalized on the opportunity taking a 2-1 lead with a goal by Leetch. However, the Generals wasted no time scoring a short handed goal by O’Rear with 54 seconds left in the first to make it a tie game once again. In the second, the game remained tied until mid-way through, the Generals struck twice with goals by Poulin and Hall in 4 minutes with one goal coming on the power play, making it a 4-2 game. However, the Tomahawks didn’t throw in the towel as they dug into the lead with a goal by Tronoski, his second of the night, with 6 seconds left. At the end of the second, the Generals would take a 4-3 lead into the locker room. The third period was all gas no breaks for the Tomahawks as they went on to score 5 unanswered goals. Tronoski completed the hat trick with the final goal on the power play at 2:11 of the third, giving the Tomahawks a decisive 8-4 victory.

Rochester 4 @ Danbury 1 - The Rochester Jr. Americans took on the Danbury Hat Tricks to secure a 4-1 win. After twenty minutes of back-and-forth action, both teams ended the first period scoreless. Parker Deschene was assisted by Kai Elkie and Luke Melnik to open the scoring for Danbury in the second. This goal was Deschene’s first of the season, immediately coming back from a missed attempt on a breakaway. Stone Rolston tied it up for the Jr. Americans, to begin what would turn into a fiery third period with Gabriel Runco and Josh Williams dropping the gloves at center ice. Both players received a five-minute major and a ten-minute misconduct for fighting. Following the action, Cameron Doran and Colin Dustin scored back-to-back goals for the Jr. Americans. Corson Maguire finished off scoring for the night to secure Rochester's 4-1 victory. 

Elmira 0 @ Maryland 3 - The Maryland Black Bears skated to a 3-0 win at home over the Elmira Aviators. Despite a low scoring game, the Black Bears had 50 shots on goal compared to the Aviators 17 shots. Elmira netminder Vladimir Pechenin put on a show keeping the game in check saving 48 of the 50 shots he faced. The first period saw little action until the final few minutes when the Aviators took a holding penalty with a 1:44 to go. Shortly after the Black Bears took advantage, scoring the first goal of the night on the powerplay by Drury. The second period had a handful of penalties, but neither team was able to capitalize. The Black Bears took their 1-0 lead into the third period. The last period was a physical one as players from both teams saw major penalties and spent time in the penalty box. The Black Bears built on their lead with an even strength goal at 2:06 of the third, scored by Wade, giving them a 2-0 lead. Shortly after the Aviators pulled their goalie and the Black Bears cashed in a final time with the empty netter sealing a 3-0 win on home ice.

New Hampshire 2 @ Philadelphia 3 - In a close game, the Philadelphia Rebels defeated the New Hampshire Mountain Kings 3-2. The match started even, with neither team scoring early in the first frame. The Mountain Kings were called into the box for a tripping penalty, but later redeemed themselves with a goal by Len Thomas Wright. During the second period, the Rebels started to gain momentum with three goals, each by Alex Lunski, Jordan Brothers, and Brayton Frick. In a last-minute hope, Benjamin Tauscher scored for the Mountain Kings, but it was not enough. 

New Jersey 3 @ Maine 4 (SO) - The Maine Nordiques escaped a fierce challenge from the New Jersey Titans, winning 4–3 in a shootout Friday night. Maine jumped out to an early lead with Felix Lundgren scoring in the first and Jack Klevby adding another in the second, but the Titans stormed back in the third with three quick goals from Skogen Schrott, Kristofers Krumins, and Nikolai Meshkantsov to tie the game and force overtime. Neither team could break the deadlock in the extra period, sending the contest to a shootout. Maine’s Klevby and Damon Myers each scored in the tiebreaker, while New Jersey managed just one, giving the Nordiques the hard-fought victory and keeping their perfect start alive at 3–0–0.

Minnesota M 2 @ St. Cloud 5 - The two Minnesota teams of the north metro faced off on Friday in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The hosting Norsemen would prove victorious with a 5-2 win over the Mallards. The first period was a quiet one with just one penalty on the Norsemen and no scoring for either team. In the second, things picked up with Garrity of the Norsemen finding the net first. The host team would then build on their lead with a goal by Tanner Hunt bringing a 2-0 lead. Shortly after the Mallards joined in with Witala scoring their first of the night. The Norsemen would take a 2-1 lead into the final frame. In the third, the Norsemen wasted no time scoring with 19:24 left in the period on a goal by Bronson Hunt for a 3-1 lead. The Norsemen would take a roughing penalty with just over five minutes left in the game. The Mallards took advantage by scoring on the power play with a goal by Gordon leaving one goal separating the teams with four minutes left. Shortly after the Norsemen strike back with Nichols finding the back of the net. The Norsemen seal the deal with 25 seconds left on a short-handed empty net goal by Tanner Hunt his second of the night. The Norsemen win 5-2 with a rematch slated for Saturday at the Mallards.

Fairbanks 4 @ Chippewa 3 - The Fairbanks Ice Dogs played their first game of the season on the road against the Chippewa Steel. The Steel had a rocky start, drawing a penalty for too many men less than two minutes into the first. Luca Ricciardi also scored the Ice Dogs’ first of the season right between the legs of Chippewa’s goaltender, Alex Reedy, giving the Ice Dogs an early lead. The Steel started the second on the power play after a chippy first period end. However, it was Ricciardi who would score his second of the night while Fairbanks was short-handed. Aidan Bergner scored next for the Ice Dogs before getting called for a ten minute misconduct due to unsportsmanlike conduct. Boone Kindseth scored Chippewa’s first of the night on the power play in the final minute of the second period. Action would continue for the Steel in the third with Kevin Lysohir finding the back of the Ice Dogs’ net, assisted by Connor Jalbert and Sam Schulte. Oliver Barna would score the final goal for Fairbanks on an empty net, followed shortly after by a wraparound goal from Schulte for Chippewa. Unfortunately for the Steel, these goals would come too late in the game resulting in the Ice Dogs taking their first win of the season. 

Lone Star 4 @ Corpus Christi 5 (OT) - The Corpus Christi IceRays faced off with the Lone Star Brahmas for the first game of their opening weekend. The IceRays came into this game ready to play, outshooting Lone Star 8-6 in the first as well as getting an early lead, with Ondrej Husak scoring with a little over two minutes left in the period. Corpus Christi then fell behind in a penalty-filled second period where the Brahmas overtook the IceRays’ lead with power-play goals from Gustav Lexell, Anthony Cappello, and Vincenzo Capano. However, it was the IceRays that would come out on top against the previously undefeated Lone Star Brahmas. Marc-Alexandre Richard, James Chase, and Viktor Lundstrom would all find the back of Lone Star’s net in the third, only for Christian Venticinque to even the score and send these teams to overtime. Nick Sinani, assisted by Johnny Maruna and Marty Magaletta, scored this overtime winner for Corpus Christi. 

Amarillo 4 @ Shreveport 3 - The Amarillo Wranglers pulled off a thrilling 4–3 comeback over the Shreveport Mudbugs Friday night in a South Division matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats. Shreveport jumped out to an early 2–0 lead in the first period, with Duke Ehrhard and Carter McKay putting the Mudbugs on top and giving Amarillo plenty to chase. The Wranglers responded in the second period, as Ty Izadi and Jayden Shirk each scored to even the game. Amarillo’s energy carried into the third period, where Aaron Bleier and Daniel Rassega struck in quick succession to give the Wranglers the lead. Despite a late goal from Evan Hoglund for Shreveport, Amarillo’s defense and goaltending held firm to secure the win.

Watertown 1 @ Aberdeen 6 - The Aberdeen Wings rolled to a dominant 6–1 victory over the Watertown Shamrocks Friday night in a Central Division clash. The Shamrocks struck first when Noah Sergott scored just past the 12-minute mark of the opening period, giving Watertown an early advantage. However, Aberdeen responded quickly, with Jack McDonough tying the game less than two minutes into the period. The Wings seized control in the second period, scoring three times in quick succession. Sam Scheetz, Zan Spari-Leban, and Jonathan Doucette each found the back of the net, turning the contest firmly in Aberdeen’s favor. The Shamrocks struggled to mount any significant offense, as Aberdeen’s pressure and precision on both ends of the ice began to tell. Aberdeen added two more goals in the third, with Anthony Ciaramitaro and Jack McDonough capping off the scoring. The Wings’ relentless attack and sharp passing showcased their depth and offensive firepower, leaving the Shamrocks unable to recover from the early deficit.

Austin 5 @ Bismarck 4 - The Austin Bruins edged out the Bismarck Bobcats 5–4 Friday night in a thrilling Central Division matchup. Bismarck struck first with a goal from Holden Gallagher early in the opening period, but Austin quickly found their footing and tied the game in the second on strikes from Siamion Marshchanok and Zander Lipsett. Both teams traded goals in the second period, with Cooper Williams and Charlie Kresl putting Bismarck back in contention, keeping the game tightly contested. The third period turned into a back-and-forth battle, as EJ Paddington, Marshchanok, and Lipsett scored for Austin to push the Bruins ahead, while Gianni Divita’s goal for Bismarck kept the pressure on. In the end, Austin’s timely scoring and clutch plays in the final frame proved decisive, allowing the Bruins to hold off a late surge from the Bobcats.

Anchorage 4 @ Minnesota W 5 (SO) - The Minnesota Wilderness overcame the Anchorage Wolverines 5–4 in a shootout Friday night, delivering a hard-fought Midwest Division clash full of momentum swings. Anchorage struck first with Andrew Karkoc’s early first-period goal, but Minnesota responded in the second with a trio of goals from Noah Dziver, Michael Liscinsky, and Lucas Ryen to take the lead. Anchorage battled back in the third period, with Luc Bydal, Lucas Mann, and Micheal Tarasenko finding the back of the net to tie the game and force overtime. Neither team could break the deadlock in the extra period, sending the contest to a shootout. In the tiebreaker, Minnesota’s Robinson Djian and Lucas Ryen each converted for the win, while Anchorage managed just one, giving the Wilderness the hard-fought victory.

North Iowa 5 @ Minot 1 - The North Iowa Bulls dominated the Minot Minotauros 5-1 in the Friday night matchup. The first period was marked by penalties, with neither team scoring a goal. The Minotauros got the game going in the second period with a score from Dane Ramirez. However, Vitaliy Korolyuk evened the score 1-1. Michael Malatino capitalized with eight minutes left to make the score 2-1. In the third period, Malatino kept the momentum to capture his second goal of the night, along with Korolyuk, to make the score 4-1. Ivan Berčík found the back of the net for the first time to end the game 5-1 in favor of the Bulls. 

Oklahoma 3 @ New Mexico 6 - The New Mexico Ice Wolves hosted the Oklahoma Warriors for a tightly contested game on Friday night. The Ice Wolves would prove victorious with a 6-3 win. The first period showed zeros for both sides on the scoreboard until 59 seconds left with Borgestad finding the net first for the Ice Wolves. In the second, the Warriors would score twice in four minutes with even strength goals by Knutson and Sorensen, taking a 2-1 lead. The Ice Wolves shortly responded with a goal by Kasay evening it up 2-2. Both teams would score once more with goals by Kiss for the Warriors and Fairbanks for the Ice Wolves leaving a 3-3 tie to be settled in the third. In the third, the Warriors would take a tripping penalty at the start of the period. This was enough for the Ice Wolves to start differentiating themselves with a goal by Gibbons on the power play. The Ice Wolves would then add to the lead with two more goals by Hewko and Edberg, sealing their 6-3 win in front of the home crowd.

Odessa 4 @ El Paso 3 (SO) - The Odessa Jackalopes started their season on the road against the El Paso Rhinos. El Paso entered their home opener hungry for their first win, after suffering two losses to the Lone Star Brahmas last week, and gained an early lead with goals from Kamden Kaiser and Ethan Woolcott. Odessa had 17 shots total in the second period with Jack L’Esperance scoring the team's first of the season assisted by Nicholas Puricelli. After an action-packed third period with Jeremy Jacobs and Puricelli scoring for the Jackalopes, and Angelo Protopapas scoring for the Rhinos, Odessa and El Paso ended regulation in a 3-3 tie that would send them to overtime. The Rhinos had a short-lived victory with an overtime goal that was quickly contested before the game turned into a battle between goaltenders, Aries Carangi and Jakob Hanlan, in a shootout. The Odessa Jackalopes would ultimately steal a 3-4 win, leaving the Rhinos still searching for their first of the season.