Saturday Scores: Wilderness Sweeps the Windigo at Home

Rochester 2 @ New Jersey 3 - The New Jersey Titans used a three-goal second period to edge the Rochester Jr. Americans 3-2 on Saturday at Middletown Sports Complex. Arseni Vorobyov and Skogen Schrott scored for New Jersey, while Tyler Rounds turned aside 36 shots to earn the win. Rochester pushed back late with goals from Sam Schulte and Colin Dustin, but couldn’t find the equalizer. The Jr. Americans outshot the Titans 38-31, but New Jersey held on to secure the one-goal victory.

El Paso 3 @ Odessa 2 - The El Paso Rhinos earned a 3-2 road win over the Odessa Jackalopes on Saturday night at Ector County Coliseum. Ian Kastamo led the way with two goals, including the game-winner in the third period. Henry Thornton and Caden Ghiossi also found the back of the net for El Paso, which capitalized on special teams opportunities. Odessa kept the game close, but the Rhinos closed it out to claim the South Division matchup.

Johnstown 3 @ Maryland 4 - The Maryland Black Bears outlasted the Johnstown Tomahawks 4-3 on Saturday at Piney Orchard Ice Arena. Maryland fired 43 shots on goal and scored twice on the power play to maintain control throughout the game. Nick Metelkin and Jack Sullivan each recorded goals, while the Black Bears struck late in the third to secure the win. Johnstown battled back after trailing early, but couldn’t overcome Maryland’s offensive pressure.

New Hampshire 7 @ Elmira 6 (SO) - The New Hampshire Mountain Kings survived a back-and-forth battle to defeat the Elmira Aviators 7-6 in a shootout Saturday night at the LeCom Events Center. The two teams combined for 90 shots as neither side led by more than one goal for long stretches. New Hampshire converted three times on the power play, while Elmira answered with strong second-period pressure. After a six-goal third period forced overtime, the Mountain Kings won in the shootout.

Danbury 1 @ Maine 0 - The Maine Nordiques earned a tight defensive victory, edging the Danbury Hat Tricks 1–0 in an East Division matchup during the 2025–26 NAHL season. The game’s lone goal came in the first period, when Ludovik Gauvin found the back of the net to give Maine an early lead. From there, the contest settled into a goaltenders’ duel, with neither team able to break through over the final two periods. The second and third periods remained scoreless as both defenses tightened and the goaltenders took control of the game. Jon Dukaric was perfect between the pipes for Maine, turning aside all 28 shots he faced to earn the shutout. Despite the loss, Matthew Wood delivered a strong performance for Danbury, stopping 17 of 18 shots to keep the Hat Tricks within striking distance throughout the night. The win helped Maine maintain its position near the top half of the East Division standings, while Danbury continued to battle for points as the playoff race remained tight.

Philadelphia 0 @ Northeast 3 - The Northeast Generals put together a complete performance on home ice, scoring three first-period goals and riding a shutout effort to a 3–0 win over the Philadelphia Rebels in an East Division matchup during the 2025–26 NAHL season. Northeast wasted no time jumping ahead in the first period. Beckett Hinchsliff opened the scoring, followed by a goal from Braydon Hudtloff. The Generals capped the frame with a power-play goal from Kody Moyer, giving Northeast a commanding 3–0 lead after one. The second and third periods remained scoreless as both teams tightened defensively, but Northeast controlled the pace and limited Philadelphia’s chances. Will Mizenko was outstanding in net for the Generals, stopping all 36 shots he faced to earn the shutout. Despite the loss, Ben Varsa turned aside 31 of 34 shots for the Rebels, keeping Philadelphia within reach after the opening surge. The win helped Northeast continue its push up the East Division standings, while Philadelphia looked to regroup as the playoff race moved forward.

North Iowa 3 @ Minnesota M 5 - The Minnesota Wilderness used a balanced offensive attack and a strong second period to earn a 5–3 home win over the North Iowa Bulls in a 2025–26 NAHL matchup. Minnesota jumped out early in the first period, getting goals from Cohen Hoening and Wes Berg to take a quick lead. North Iowa responded with a pair of goals of its own, as Denis Hodas and Zachary Howard found the back of the net to even the score at 2–2 after one. The Wilderness regained control in the second period, scoring twice to create separation. Ty Gordon put Minnesota back in front before Matthew Christman added an insurance goal, giving the hosts a 4–2 advantage heading into the third. North Iowa made one final push in the third period when Denis Hodas scored his second goal of the night, cutting the deficit to one. Minnesota answered late, however, as Keanan Pearman sealed the win with a goal to make it 5–3. With the victory, Minnesota picked up important points as it continued to climb the standings, while North Iowa battled hard but came up short in its road effort.

Springfield 5 @ Chippewa 1 - The Springfield Jr. Blues put together a dominant road performance, pulling away in the third period to secure a 5–1 win over the Chippewa Steel in a Midwest Division matchup during the 2025–26 NAHL season. Springfield opened the scoring in the first period when Niko Laus found the back of the net, giving the Jr. Blues an early 1–0 lead. Chippewa responded in the second period, as Jake Spraetz evened the game and briefly shifted momentum back to the Steel. The contest tilted decisively in Springfield’s favor in the third period, where the Jr. Blues erupted for four goals. Sarunas Baltrunas broke the tie early in the period, followed by a second goal of the night from Niko Laus. Zach Howard added to the surge, and Josh Zitzman sealed the victory with an empty-net goal late in the game. The win helped Springfield continue to gain ground in the Midwest Division standings, while Chippewa looked to regroup as the season moved forward.

Amarillo 1 @ Oklahoma 4 - The Oklahoma Warriors pulled away in the third period to earn a 4–1 home victory over the Amarillo Wranglers in a South Division matchup during the 2025–26 NAHL season. The first period was scoreless as both teams settled in and traded chances without a breakthrough. Amarillo opened the scoring in the second period when Ty Izadi netted his 14th goal of the season, giving the Wranglers a 1–0 lead. Oklahoma responded later in the frame, as Mack Blue evened the score to send the game into the second intermission tied. The Warriors took control in the third period, scoring three unanswered goals. Jakub Galnor put Oklahoma ahead, followed by goals from Dominik Kiss and AJ Iwinski, sealing the win and completing the comeback. In goal, Billy Stuski was sharp for Oklahoma, stopping 35 of 36 shots to help secure the victory. The win helped Oklahoma gain valuable points in the South Division standings, while Amarillo looked to regroup after a strong but short-handed effort on the road.

St. Cloud 2 @ Austin 6 - The Austin Bruins continued their strong Central Division play with a convincing 6–2 home win over the St. Cloud Norsemen during the 2025–26 NAHL season, powered by a hat trick performance and a big second period. Austin opened the scoring in the first period when Gavin Hruza netted his 25th goal of the season, but St. Cloud answered back quickly. Avry Shaw evened the game before Cristian Nichols gave the Norsemen a brief lead with a power-play goal, sending St. Cloud into the first intermission up 2–1. The game swung decisively in the second period, as Austin took control with three unanswered goals. Siamion Marshchankok scored twice to put the Bruins back in front, and Gavin Hruza added his second of the night with a shorthanded goal, giving Austin a 4–2 advantage. Austin sealed the victory in the third period, beginning with a goal from Connor Beckwith. Marshchankok capped off his standout night with a power-play goal to complete the hat trick, extending the Bruins’ lead to 6–2. In goal, Jack Solomon was solid for Austin, stopping 23 of 25 shots to help the Bruins secure the win. With the victory, Austin strengthened its position near the top of the Central Division standings, while St. Cloud continued to search for momentum as the season progressed.

New Mexico 3 @ Corpus Christi 2 (SO) - The Corpus Christi IceRays struck first early in the opening period as Nick Sinani scored on assists from Sam Troutwine and Nick Evans. New Mexico answered later in the period when Andy Earl found the net with help from Sean Gibbons and Andrey Moskvitin, sending the teams into the first intermission tied 1–1. Corpus Christi regained the lead early in the second period on a goal by Justin Thibault, assisted by Easton Swift and Emil Obstfelder, and carried a 2–1 advantage into the third. The Ice Wolves evened the score midway through the final period as Earl netted his second goal of the night, with assists from Brock Fairbanks and Jacob Guille. Neither team scored in overtime, and the game was decided in a shootout, where Gibbons scored the lone goal to lift New Mexico to a 3–2 victory. IceRays goaltender Xander Miceli made 21 saves in the loss. Jackson Silverberg stopped 34 shots for New Mexico.

Wisconsin 2 @ Minnesota W 4 - Minnesota scored early in the first period as Anthony Cappello netted his seventh goal of the season, assisted by Deegan Hoffbauer. Wisconsin answered later in the period when Jordan Stange scored an unassisted goal, tying the game 1–1 after one. The Wilderness took control in the second period with three unanswered goals. Robinson Djian put Minnesota back in front early, scoring on assists from Cappello and Andrei Gudin. Less than two minutes later, Joseph Luger scored the eventual game-winner with help from River Freeman. Noah Dziver capped the burst just 18 seconds later, finishing a feed from Theo Kiss to make it 4–1. Wisconsin pulled within two early in the third period on a power-play goal by Declan Burns, assisted by Peyton Mithmuangneua and Will Doherty. The Windigo could not close the gap the rest of the way as Minnesota held on for a 4–2 victory. Wisconsin goaltender Max Larsson made 20 saves in the loss. Minnesota netminder Ryan Gerlich earned the win with 16 saves.

Minot 3 @ Aberdeen 6 - Aberdeen took an early lead in the first period as Jibber Kuhl scored on assists from Matthew Martin and Finn Safir. The Wings quickly made it 2–0 with a shorthanded goal by Caden Lee, set up by Safir and Kuhl. Minot answered with two late goals to even the score before the first intermission. Briggs Knott scored with assists from Ivan Sidorov and Lucca Ori, and Ori tied the game with two seconds remaining, finishing feeds from Knott and Dane Ramirez to make it 2–2 after one. Aberdeen pulled ahead for good in the second period with three goals. Jonathan Doucette broke the tie early in the period on assists from Zan Spari-Leben and Cooper Anderson. Anderson followed with a power-play goal, assisted by Martin and Lee, which proved to be the game-winner. Taven James capped the period with a goal set up by Keaton Weis and Gavin Reed, giving Aberdeen a 5–2 lead heading into the third. Minot cut into the deficit early in the final period on a power-play goal by Knott, assisted by Ty James and Sidorov. Aberdeen sealed the win with an empty net goal by Kuhl with 30 seconds remaining, assisted by Easton Edwards and Herman Berggren, securing a 6–3 victory. Minot goaltenders Chase Anderson and Brian Cooke combined for 33 saves in the loss. Aberdeen netminder Adam Dybal earned the win with 26 saves.

Watertown 4 @ Bismarck 5 (OT) - Watertown scored first early in the opening period as Owen Chartier found the net on assists from Owen Fask and Jordan Gudridge. Bismarck answered on the power play when George Poirier scored unassisted to tie the game 1–1. The Shamrocks regained the lead on a goal by Brody Josselyn, assisted by Grady Dimberio, but the Bobcats responded late with two quick goals. Theodore Richardson scored unassisted at the 53-second mark to tie the game, then struck again just 40 seconds later with 13 seconds remaining to give Bismarck a 3–2 lead after one. Watertown pulled back in front in the second period with two goals. Payton Struck scored shorthanded on an assist from Andrew Smulkstys, and Chartier added his second goal of the game soon after, assisted by Gudridge, to give the Shamrocks a 4–3 advantage heading into the third. Bismarck forced overtime in the third period when Hugo Kruse scored an unassisted goal to tie the game at 4–4. The Bobcats completed the comeback in overtime as Richardson netted his third goal of the night, assisted by Charlie Kresl, to secure a 5–4 victory.

Shreveport 0 @ Lone Star 4 - Lone Star scored early in the first period as Leo Isaksson netted the eventual game-winner on assists from Vincenzo Capano and Gustav Lexell to give the Brahmas a 1–0 lead after one. The Brahmas pulled away in the second period with three goals. Christian Venticinque extended the lead on assists from Dylan McFadden and Alexander Oliver. Denver Damphousse followed with a goal set up by Tyson Scanlon and Liam O’Keeffe. Lone Star capped the period with a shorthanded goal as Oliver scored on assists from Capano and Samuel Lussier to make it 4–0 heading into the third. The third period was scoreless as Lone Star preserved the shutout. Shreveport goaltender Ethan Phillips made 32 saves in the loss. Lone Star netminder Leo Gabriel earned the win with 18 saves.

Anchorage 1 @ Fairbanks 5 - The Fairbanks Ice Dogs complete the sweep at home with a big 5-1 victory over the Anchorage Wolverines on Saturday night. The contest kicked off with a pair of goals by the Ice Dogs in the opening frame, with tallies by Lukas Osborn and Kyle Rohrer. The Wolverines in the first period would light the lamp with a goal by Balint Lobenwein, marking his first of the season. Moving into the second period, the Ice Dogs would score another pair of tallies, with Sam Johnson and Oliver Barna finding twine.  In the final period, Thomas Gunderson would add insurance with a goal at the 15:27 minute mark. Fairbanks netminder, Miles Roberts, stopped 31 out of 32 shots on net, securing the victory in the blue paint.