Friday Finals: El Paso Dominates At Home For The Win Over Lone Star

New Jersey 0 @ New Hampshire 3 - To start out the weekend right after the Prospects Tournament, the New Hampshire Jr.  Mountain Kings shutout the Jersey Titans three-nothing on home ice. Late into the first period, Ronnie Hill lit the lamp first, after tucking in Jaden Johnson's initial playmaker. Then, for the third, Jaden Johnson scored a pair of goals. Not even a minute into it, he sniped in a beauty, with Cael Knutson coming in with the feed. Before the two-minute warning, he did a repeat with a top-frame goal to seal the game in the Mountain Kings’ favor. 

Johnstown 1 @ Northeast 4 - The home club, Maryland Black Bears, narrowly picked off the Johnstown Tomahawks by a single goal, despite a significant shot differential. Despite trailing by a goal, the Tomahawks scored three from 13 attempts on Dom Gatto. In the first period, they ended up opening the score from Jack Genovese. Ten minutes later, however, Brayden Wade tied it up even when he was set up by Anthony Pellitteri. During the second, Liam Doherty grabbed the go-ahead lead for the Black Bears. But they only kept the lead for seven minutes until Nick Metelkin tucked one in on the power play. And they ultimately did so again with 26 seconds left on the board, as this time Jack Sullivan traded places from playmaking to scoring by grabbing himself a goal, while Nick Jarmain and Will Stewart carried the assists. Then, for the third, the Black Bears took control of the game and closed it out with two goals. Four minutes in, Jaden Sikura broke the tie by racking up his 23rd goal of the year. Shortly thereafter, Tanner Duncan capitalized on the power play to break the tie and call it a night with the game-winner.

Elmira 3 @ Rochester 5 - The Rochester Jr. Americans had themselves an exchange with the Elmira Aviators. From every period, the Americans responded to every goal they allowed in by Elmira. From the first period, Corson Maguire opened the scoring. Ten minutes later, Konnor Powell responded for the Americans and tied the score while empty-handed. Then, 25 seconds before the first buzzer, Ryan Shaw buried Sam Schulte’s hammer to give the Amerks a one-goal lead. Late in the second, Evan Dantas laid out the response for the Aviators and tied it up again. But two minutes later, Adam Gionta answered for the Amerks to return the lead while on the power play, as Ryan Shaw came in clutch with the sauce. Now, for the third, the same dynamic occurred, as Kevin Delaney responded for Elmira to tie the score once again. The tied score continued for several minutes until, you guessed it, Gionta answered to return the lead again. At the two-minute mark, Keanan Dewberry finished off the game with a shorty.

Danbury 5 @ Philadelphia 6 - The Philadelphia Rebels narrowly knocked down the Danbury Hat Tricks on home turf with plenty of goals to go around. In the first period, Emmer McClaine got things started for them. Then at 11:20, they worked their magic on the power play, as Jordan Brothers tipped in Thomas Klochkov’s wrister. 55 seconds before the period came to a close, however, Austin Michaud capitalized on the Hat Tricks’ own power play opportunity to put them within one. However, they would have to catch up going into the second. Five minutes in, Abzal Alibek extended the lead to two. Then Billy Sheridan notched the insurance lead from a rocket, with Alibek and Klochkov helping out. Several minutes later, Michaud capitalized on another power play run. To start out the third, Brady Walters put the Hat Tricks within one. However, Klochkov responded minutes later. But that wasn't stopping Peter Freel or Danbury from going down without a fight, as Freel lasered one in after getting sauced by Ludovik Gauvin. Three minutes to go, Justin Vlassis answered. But the Hat Tricks still had it in them to sneak another one by, as Pat Ula finished the night with the final tally for the scoresheet.

Aberdeen 5 @ Minnesota M 2 - The Aberdeen Wings traveled to Forest Lake, Minnesota, to take on the Minnesota Mallards in a Central Division Friday night matchup. So far this season, the Wings are undefeated against the Mallards. Friday night was no different, as the Wings struck first three minutes into the game on a goal by David Hruby. Three minutes later, Sam Scheetz of the Wings would add another for a 2-0 lead. In the second, Owen Pitters would strike ten seconds in to jump out to a 3-0 lead for the Aberdeen Wings. In the third, the Mallards would spoil any hope of a shutout three minutes in with Jack Roberts finding nylon, 3-1. The Wings would add two more goals within three minutes by Hruby and Scheetz, both scoring their second of the night. The Mallards would strike a second time with five minutes left in regulation, by Joseph Delaurentis, but it would unfortunately not be enough. The Wings take this one 5-2.

Austin 2 @ St. Cloud 3 (SO) - The Austin Bruins traveled to St. Cloud, Minnesota, for an in state rivalry game, taking on the Norsemen Friday night. In the current season, Austin leads the series 5-0. In the first, Billy Biedermann would strike first for the Norsemen with 5:14 left in the period. Four minutes later, Sam Crane would add to the Norsemen’s lead on the power play with 1:39 left in the first period. In the second, Austin Bruins veteran EJ Paddington would convert on the power play to dig into the Norsemen’s lead 2-1. In the third, Sam Kline would tie the game up at two apiece for the Bruins. Sixty minutes were not enough to settle this one, as the game headed to overtime. With neither team finding the net, the game went to a shootout. Biedermann would prove to be the hero for the Norsemen, striking in the fourth round of the shootout. The Norsemen win over the Bruins for the first time this season, 3-2.

Fairbanks 1 @ Chippewa 4 - The Fairbanks Ice Dogs would travel to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, to play the Chippewa Steel for the last time this season. The Ice Dogs have been undefeated against the Steel in the season series, 6-0. The Ice Dogs would strike first on a goal by Matthew Volkman, just a minute into the game, on a weird bounce that would beat Steel goaltender Max Kogler. Despite fears of another dominant game by the Ice Dogs, the Steel did not let the first goal shake them from their game. Newcomer Matteo Bertrand would even up the score with his first junior goal for the Steel with 3:22 left in the first. In the second, the Steel’s Austin Boyce would take the first lead of the season against the Ice Dogs 2-1, assisted by Joc Bukovec. With twenty-six seconds left in the second, Tom Manzella would score from a sharp angle on the power play, assisted by Grady Knutson for the 3-1 lead into the third. In the final frame, Fairbanks would up the pressure, outshooting the Steel 14-3. The Steel would eventually get a power play with just two minutes left in regulation that would help them seal the win with an empty net goal by Boyce, his second of the night, assisted by Jake Spraetz. Steel goaltender Max Kogler stood tall with multiple highlight reel saves, posting a 0.973 save percentage, saving 36 of 37 shots he faced. The Steel upset the Ice Dogs 4-1.

Corpus Christi 4 @ Oklahoma 3 (SO) - The Corpus Christi IceRays traveled to the Oklahoma Warriors for a tightly contested matchup. The Warriors have a slight edge in the season series 2-0-0-1 over the Ice Rays. In the first, the Warrior’s Bronson Sabol would strike on the powerplay at 8:09 for the 1-0 lead. The Ice Rays would respond before the period ended with a goal by Colin Watson to tie it at one. In the second, the Ice Rays would score the lone goal by Jonathan Cifaldi for a 2-1 lead. In the third, Cifaldi would strike again for the Ice Rays for the 3-1 edge. The Warriors would not throw in the towel, however. Trace Day and Jackson Hone would each score a goal within just eleven seconds of each other to tie the game up again at three. Extra time was needed, as neither team found the net in overtime. The Ice Rays would eventually win in the shootout, with Easton Swift being the hero after seven rounds. The Ice Rays take this one 4-3.

Bismarck 6 @ North Iowa 1 - The Bismarck Bobcats used a dominant second period to skate past the North Iowa Bulls, 6–1. After carrying a 1–0 lead through the opening frame, Bismarck exploded for four goals in the second to take full control of the contest. The Bobcats added another in the third while limiting North Iowa to just one late tally. Bismarck outshot the Bulls 33–19, including a 17-shot barrage in the middle period that shifted the momentum decisively. North Iowa netminder Aaron Sachs was named the game’s first star with 18 saves in relief, while Fuji Suzuki netted the Bulls’ lone goal. Despite converting on one of three power plays, North Iowa struggled to contain Bismarck’s depth and sustained offensive pressure as the Bobcats secured the convincing road win.

Odessa 2 @ Shreveport 0 - The Odessa Jackalopes broke through with two third-period goals to defeat the Shreveport Mudbugs, 2–0. After a scoreless first 40 minutes, Odessa found its finishing touch in the final frame, capitalizing on sustained pressure to put the game away. The Mudbugs outshot the Jackalopes 37–30, including a 17-shot first period, but Odessa goaltender Ben Vatis was stellar, turning aside all 37 shots he faced for the shutout performance. Odessa also converted once on four power-play opportunities, while holding Shreveport scoreless on its four chances. Ethan Phillips made 29 saves on 30 shots in the loss, but Odessa’s timely scoring and steady goaltending proved the difference in the tightly contested matchup.

New Mexico 2 @ Amarillo 1 - The New Mexico Ice Wolves earned a hard-fought 2–1 victory over the Amarillo Wranglers in a tightly played contest. Both teams traded first-period goals before a scoreless second set the stage for a decisive third. Oskar Edberg netted the game-winning goal for New Mexico in the final frame, while Ty Izadi accounted for Amarillo’s lone tally. The Ice Wolves controlled much of the pace, outshooting the Wranglers 35–22, including a 15-shot second period that helped tilt the ice. With neither team converting on the power play, the game was decided at even strength, where New Mexico’s sustained pressure ultimately secured the road win.

Kenai River 5 @ Minnesota W 1 - The Kenai River Brown Bears delivered a statement performance with a 5–1 win over the Minnesota Wilderness. Kenai River struck twice in the opening period, added another in the second, and capped the night with two more in the third to complete the offensive showcase. Despite being outshot 29–25, the Brown Bears made their chances count, while goaltender Devin Rustlie was outstanding, stopping 28 of 29 shots to anchor the victory. Minnesota managed its lone goal in the third period but could not overcome Kenai River’s efficiency and opportunistic attack. The balanced scoring effort and strong goaltending powered the Brown Bears to the decisive road triumph.

Anchorage 1 @ Wisconsin 5 - The Wisconsin Windigo dominated at home Friday night to pick up a much-needed victory over the Anchorage Wolverines by a score of 5-1. The Windigo’s offense was able to put on a display for the home crowd despite a slow start. In the first, despite trading opportunities between the two squads, neither offense could find the spark for their squad. In the second, Will Doherty got Wisconsin on the board with the assist coming from Thomas Quast, as they grabbed the 1-0 lead. The lead didn’t last long, though, as Sam Evert responded for the Wolverines to tie up the affair, the assists from Rylan Bydal and Chase Trompeter. Yet, the Windigo found a response of their own ten seconds later with Beau Kralovec finding the back of the net with the feed from Aidan Hickok, as they took the lead back at 2-1. Joshua Sardo added on for Wisconsin later in the period, burying the opportunity with the passes from Jackson Ernst and Ryan Mottau to take a two-goal lead into intermission. In the final frame, Quast continued to pour it on with a quick power-play goal, as Sardo and Brendan Finley each earned an assist on the score. Doherty then put the finishing touches later on in the period, finding one more tally to make it a 5-1 final off the assists from Jacob Miller and Henry Steele. In net, Kai Weigel put up a valiant effort against a relentless Windigo attack as he stopped 39 shots. While Wisconsin’s Easton Cody was able to turn away 25 shots and help lead his team to the home victory. For Wisconsin now, they pick up a huge 26th win on the year as they look to further push up in the standings.

Watertown 5 @ Minot 3 - The Watertown Shamrocks pulled away in a close battle Friday night against the Minot Minotauros by a score of 5-3. In an affair that had swings of momentum back and forth between the two sides, the Shamrocks handled the road environment and pulled away with the win. In the first, Kyle Greene got on the board first for Watertown with a shorthanded goal off the assist from Justin Bartley, grabbing a 1-0 lead that they would hold onto until the first intermission. In the second, the Shamrocks extended their lead early with Jordan Gudridge finding the back of the net off the feeds from Payton Struck and Antons Macijevskis. Watertown would hold onto this 2-0 advantage all the way into the third period. In the final frame, Minot answered back as Jachym Prusek converted the opportunity to close the gap to one, with the assists from Briggs Knott and Lucca Ori. Less than 30 seconds later, the game was tied at 2-2 as the Minotauros went back-to-back, grabbing momentum off Anthony Spadaro’s tally with the passes from Knott and Ivan Sidorov. Shamrocks struck back halfway through the period, as Juston Obrochta took the lead with a score of his own off the assists from Andrew Smulkstys and Noah Sergott. Joe Rice later in the period pushed the lead to two goals, as Gudridge and Smulkstys each had an assist on the insurance goal. Yet Minot wasn’t done yet, as with the goalie pulled, they were able to pull back within one in the final minute, Ori grabbing the goal off the assists from Sidorov and Ty James. Struck, though, would ice the game moments later with an empty-netter off the assists from Rice and Zach Boren, as Watertown squeaked out a 5-3 road win. In net for the Shamrocks, Mason Gudridge was able to turn away 41 shots in the battle and helped clinch Watertown's 23rd victory on the year.

Lone Star 0 @ El Paso 4 - In a dominant display of special teams and goaltending, the El Paso Rhinos secured a commanding 4-0 shutout victory over the Lone Star Brahmas at home. The opening frame saw the Rhinos take control early as Kamden Kaiser opened the scoring with a power-play goal following assists from Tommy Shore and Troy Hunka. El Paso soon doubled its advantage when Gaige Giblin converted on another power play off a feed from Jackson Potulny, giving the Rhinos a 2-0 cushion heading into the first intermission. The Rhinos continued to build on their momentum in the second period as Kamden Kaiser struck again, notching his second goal of the night off assists from Chase Nyitray and Gaige Giblin. Despite the Brahmas mounting pressure and outshooting El Paso during the middle frame, they were unable to find a way past a locked-in Rhinos defense. In the final period, Jacob Solano iced the game with a shorthanded, empty-net goal assisted by Aidan Bergner to finalize the 4-0 scoreline. In the net, Michael Modelski was the story of the night, putting up a flawless performance with 36 saves to earn the shutout for El Paso. Lone Star’s Brady Trey recorded 24 saves in the effort but was unable to overcome the Rhinos' early power-play surge. With the result, the El Paso Rhinos pick up their 27th victory of the year, while the Lone Star Brahmas endure their 10th loss of the season.