Friday Finals: The Ice Dogs Skate to Overtime Victory

Rochester 0 @ Northeast 4 - The Northeast Generals delivered a strong all-around performance, shutting out the Rochester Jr. Americans 4–0 behind a stellar night in goal from Will Mizenko. Northeast opened the scoring in the first period when Rich Rucireto capitalized on the power play. Rucireto’s tally came off assists from Andrew Gibbons and Kody Moyer, giving the Generals an early 1–0 lead heading into the first intermission. The Generals extended their advantage in the second period. Logan Poulin found the back of the net with help from Robert Savaglio and Kody Moyer, pushing the lead to 2–0 and putting Rochester on its heels entering the final frame. In the third period, Northeast pulled away. Rich Rucireto struck again on the power play for his second goal of the night, assisted by Vinny Ipri and Andrew Gibbons. Later in the period, Mikey Bartkowski added an insurance marker with assists from Braydon Hudtloff and Owen O’Rear, sealing the 4–0 victory. Between the pipes, Will Mizenko was perfect for the Generals, stopping all 26 shots he faced to earn the shutout. With the win, the Northeast Generals continued to strengthen their position in the East Division standings, while the Rochester Jr. Americans were unable to generate the offense needed to keep pace.

Maine 3 @ New Hampshire 4 - The New Hampshire Mountain Kings rallied with a strong middle frame to defeat the Maine Nordiques 4–3 in an East Division matchup. Maine struck first in the opening period when Austin Borggaard found the back of the net with assists from Henry Butte and Aslan Zhussupbekov, giving the Nordiques a 1–0 lead after one period. The second period brought a surge of offense from both teams. Cole Estey extended the Maine lead early in the frame to make it 2–0. However, New Hampshire responded quickly with three unanswered goals. Aidan Petroff started the comeback before Nicolas Vrtiel scored on the power play, assisted by Ronnie Hill and Mikhail Cherepanov, tying the game. Moments later, Jaden Johnson completed the turnaround with a goal that put the Mountain Kings ahead 3–2 heading into the third period. In the final period, Estey scored his second goal of the night, assisted by Rylan Oster, to tie the game for Maine. The Mountain Kings answered once again, as Nicolas Vrtiel netted his second goal of the night to restore the lead and ultimately secure the 4–3 victory. The win helps the New Hampshire Mountain Kings stay competitive in the East Division race, while the Maine Nordiques come up just short despite a two-goal performance from Cole Estey.

New Jersey 4 @ Elmira 5 - The Elmira Aviators used a big offensive performance to defeat the New Jersey Titans 5–4 in an East Division matchup. Elmira opened the scoring in the first period when Jake Baratta finished a play set up by Breden Bedrof. New Jersey answered later in the period as Arseniy Zharikov tied the game with help from Christian Bifano. Before the intermission, Elmira regained the lead when Greg Johnson scored, assisted by Ilya Baldin and Brenden Bedrof, giving the Aviators a 2–1 advantage after the first. The second period featured a flurry of goals from both teams. Elmira extended the lead on a power-play goal from Nico-Patrick Pohjola, assisted by Shawn Laperriere. Shortly after, Tyler Tsoukalas added another tally for the Aviators with Luke Rubin earning the assist. New Jersey fought back midway through the period. Arseni Vorobyov set up Joe Pocrnic and Christian Bifano for a goal by Vorobyov to cut into the deficit, and the Titans pulled closer when Arseniy Zharikov scored his second of the game on the power play, assisted by Arseni Vorobyov and Luke Schoen. However, Elmira struck again late in the period when Nico-Patrick Pohjola scored his second goal of the night with less than a minute remaining, assisted by Max Campbell, restoring a two-goal cushion. In the third period, Hudson Slenker scored for New Jersey to make it a one-goal game, but Elmira held on to secure the 5–4 victory. In goal, Aiden McKenna earned the win for Elmira with 30 saves on 34 shots. For New Jersey, Andrew Bely stopped 21 of 26 shots over the first two periods before Tyler Rounds came in for relief and turned aside all 8 shots he faced. The win gives the Elmira Aviators an important result in the East Division race, while the New Jersey Titans nearly completed a comeback but ultimately came up just short.

Philadelphia 3 @ Maryland 4 - The Maryland Black Bears used a dominant second period to rally past the Philadelphia Rebels, earning a 4–3 victory in East Division action. Philadelphia started strong in the opening period, striking twice to build an early lead. Abzal Alibek opened the scoring on the power play with assists from Jordan Brothers and Luke Janviriya. Later in the period, Drew Belleson extended the Rebels’ advantage to 2–0 after finishing a play set up by Jake Schultz and Brayton Frick. Maryland responded late in the first period when Kristofers Krumins scored with just 16 seconds remaining, assisted by Anthony Pellitteri and Joshua Frenette, cutting the deficit to 2–1 heading into the intermission. The Black Bears took control in the second period with three unanswered goals. Tanner Duncan tied the game with assists from Harrison Smith and Liam Doherty. Shortly after, Kristofers Krumins scored his second goal of the night, assisted by Owen Drury and Daniel Johnson, giving Maryland its first lead. William Esterbrooks added another tally later in the period, set up by Joshua Frenette and Liam Doherty, extending the lead to 4–2. Philadelphia pushed back in the third period when Jake Schultz scored to make it a one-goal game, but the Rebels were unable to complete the comeback. In goal, Ryan Denes earned the win for Maryland, stopping 14 of 17 shots, while Ilja Nikitins turned aside 31 of 35 shots for Philadelphia. The victory keeps the Maryland Black Bears rolling at the top of the NAHL East Division, while the Philadelphia Rebels battled hard but fell just short despite a strong offensive start.

Danbury 1 @ Johnstown 3 - The Johnstown Tomahawks opened the scoring late in the first period. Charlie Zetterkvist dropped a pass back to Ben Norris along the side boards, and Norris quickly found Kirby Perler wide open in the slot. Perler fired the puck home to give Johnstown a 1–0 lead heading into the second period. The second period featured chances at both ends as the teams traded opportunities. Late in the frame, Kai Elkie fed a pass to Patrik Ula at the point. Ula’s shot created a rebound that landed right on the stick of Matt Shpungin, who buried it to tie the game 1–1 and send it into the final 20 minutes. Late in the third period, Charlie Zetterkvist broke the deadlock for the Tomahawks with a quick shot from just above the goal line that slipped past the goaltender, giving Johnstown a 2–1 lead. Nick Jarmain sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, securing a 3–1 win for the Johnstown Tomahawks. In net, Zack Ferris earned the win with 21 saves, while Jon Dukaric turned aside 28 shots in the loss for the Danbury Hat Tricks.

Oklahoma 2 @ Corpus Christi 3 (SO) - The Oklahoma Warriors opened the scoring late in the first period. Denny Oh found Ben Osiashvilli at the blue line, who skated the puck to the top of the circle before sliding a pass to Trace Day. Day ripped a shot into the net to give Oklahoma a 1–0 lead. The Corpus Christi IceRays answered quickly when Alexandr Skuratov broke in alone and buried a breakaway chance, tying the game 1–1 before the end of the first period. The Warriors came out strong in the second period and struck while shorthanded. AJ Iwinski sent a pass across to Mathias Kristiansen, who chipped the puck into the net to give Oklahoma a 2–1 lead. Corpus Christi responded on the very next sequence as Justin Thibault, assisted by Alexandr Skuratov, found the back of the net to even the score at 2–2 heading into the final period. The third period featured back-and-forth action with numerous scoring chances, but neither side could capitalize, forcing the game into 3-on-3 overtime. After the overtime period remained scoreless, the game went to a shootout, where Nick Sinani scored the deciding goal to give the Corpus Christi IceRays the victory. In net, Billy Stuski made 31 saves for the Oklahoma Warriors in the loss, while Xander Miceli stopped 27 shots to earn the win for the Corpus Christi IceRays.

Odessa 3 @ Shreveport 6 - The Odessa Jackalopes opened the scoring late in the first period as Adam Matar found the back of the net with assists from Jeremy Jacobs and Nicholas Puricelli. Soon after, Odessa extended its lead when Henry Thornton connected with Jeremy Jacobs, who fed Daniel Kuczkowski. Kuczkowski walked the puck in and fired it past the goaltender to make it 2–0. The Shreveport Mudbugs responded less than a minute later when Grayson Gerhard lit the lamp, assisted by Duke Ehrhard and Evan Hoglund, cutting the deficit to 2–1 by the end of the period. Odessa struck quickly to start the second period, scoring less than a minute in. Nicholas Arrington found Henry Thornton, who moved the puck to Caden Ghiossi at the blue line. Ghiossi fired a shot through traffic and into the net to extend the lead to 31. Shreveport answered back when Evan Hoglund sent the puck to Johnathon Berndt at the point, and Berndt’s shot found its way through to bring the Mudbugs within one at 3–2. Shreveport came out strong in the third period and quickly tied the game when Duke Ehrhard sniped a shot top shelf, assisted by Grayson Gerhard and Evan Hoglund. The Mudbugs then took their first lead of the night as Ehrhard struck again, once more assisted by Gerhard and Hoglund, making it 4–3. Shreveport sealed the victory with two empty-net goals from Liam Wolf-Taulbee and Ehrhard, giving the Shreveport Mudbugs a 6–3 win. In net, Ben Vatis made 31 saves for the Odessa Jackalopes in the loss. Tyler Hodges and Ethan Phillips combined for 24 saves to earn the win for the Shreveport Mudbugs.

Austin 3 @ Aberdeen 6 - Aberdeen and Austin exploded for six combined goals in the first period, setting the tone for a high‑scoring matchup. The Wings capitalized on special teams, going 3‑for‑6 on the power play, including two goals from Jonathan Doucette. Austin scored all three of its goals in the opening frame but couldn’t break through again as Aberdeen tightened defensively. Herman Berggren and Easton Edwards added insurance goals in the second and third periods to secure the win. Aberdeen outshot Austin 30-24 and controlled the game’s momentum after the chaotic first period.

Watertown 3 @ Bismarck 6 - Bismarck opened the game with two quick goals in the first period and never surrendered the lead, despite a goal from Watertown in the first. Watertown responded with two goals in the third, but the Bobcats had already answered with another pair in the second, including a power‑play strike from Mark Evans. Evans finished the night with two goals and an assist, earning first‑star honors. The Bobcats dominated the shot totals 30-8 and controlled the pace throughout the third period. A late goal from Kyle Greene sealed the 6-3 win and capped a strong offensive performance for Bismarck.

El Paso 0 @ New Mexico 2 - New Mexico earned a shutout win behind a stellar performance from goaltender Jackson Silverberg. After a scoreless first period, the Ice Wolves struck twice in the second with goals from Jeremy Sprung and Brock Fairbanks. El Paso generated 30 shots but couldn’t solve Silverberg, who stood tall through heavy pressure in the third. The Rhinos took several penalties that disrupted their momentum and limited their offensive rhythm. New Mexico protected its lead in the final frame to secure a disciplined 2-0 victory.

Amarillo 1 @ Lone Star 5 - The Lone Star Brahmas earned their fifth straight win, facing off with the Amarillo Wranglers on Friday night. This was another strong game for the home team, who clinched their spot in the playoffs last week. Jackson Vaites got the Brahmas on the board, netting one in the first half of the period. Maddox Tulacro and Christian Venticinque each added a goal for the Brahmas later in the first, making the score 3-0 entering the middle frame. Nathan Murray added a fourth for the Brahmas in the second, and Tyson Scanlon added Lone Star's final goal of the match to open the third. Jake Boulanger scored Amarillo's lone goal of the night on a late third-period power play. Leo Gabriel was in the net for the Brahmas, making 16 saves and finishing the match with a 0.941 save percentage.

Springfield 4 @ Wisconsin 3 (SO) - It was an exciting Midwest Division matchup between the Wisconsin Windigo, who sits at third place in the division, and the fourth-place Springfield Jr. Blues. Alexios Georgaklis struck first, getting the Windigo on the board early. Brayden Sprickman responded for Springfield, tying up the score on the power play. The Windigo took the lead again late in the second with a goal from AJ Bongiorno. Peyton Mithmuangneua extended Wisconsin's lead further in the third period to make the score 3-1. However, the Jr. Blues weren't ending this match without a fight. Owen Lowe and Logan Opgrand each added a tally for Springfield to tie the score at 3-3. Springfield's Amir Valiullin put on an impressive overtime performance, turning away five shots from the Windigo. Lukas Wallinheimo scored the game-winner, finally getting the puck past Windigo goaltender Max Larsson in the fifth round of the shootout.

Minnesota M 1 @ Minot 2 (OT) - It was a close match between the Minnesota Mallards and the Minot Minotauros on Friday. However, it was ultimately some overtime heroics from Minot forward Mackley Morelli that earned them the win. Both teams generated plenty of scoring chances, Minot only outshooting Minnesota 42-41. After a scoreless first period, the Mallards struck first in the middle. Cohen Hoening scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Matthew Christman and Deke Davidson. Evan Foiles responded soon after for Minot, making the score 1-1. Another scoreless period followed, sending the game into overtime. Morelli was assisted by Ty James and Dane Ramirez. Morelli’s overtime winner was his sixth goal of the season. Both goaltenders played strong games. Troy Wright was in the net for the Mallards, finishing the game with a save percentage of 0.952. Brian Cooke was in goal for the Tauros, turning away 40 of the Mallards' shots to finish the match and secure Minot's 2-1 win.

Chippewa 0 @ Kenai River 5 - The Brown Bears continued their winning ways at home with a dominant 5-0 showing on home ice. The contest kicked off with Parker Newman finding twine 90 seconds into the opening frame. His unassisted tally was followed by Braden Hansberger a few minutes later to extend the lead 2-0. The Brown Bears would light the lamp again when Koen Burkholder scored his 10th of the year. Finally, Joe Gillespie scores one more for Kenai River to end the frame with a 4-0 advantage. The second period was quiet as both teams traded chances. Moving into the third period, the Steel would extend their scoring ways with one more goal for the night. Benjamin Tauscher finds twine with 6:58 to spare in the final frame. The Brown Bears skate away with a 5-0 victory. Between the pipes, Andrew McLouth secures a 26-save shutout, the first shutout of his season.

Anchorage 3 @ Fairbanks 4 (OT) - In an exciting battle at the Big Dipper Ice Arena, the Ice Dogs hosted their in-state rival, the Anchorage Wolverines. The contest opened up with scoring almost immediately in the first period. Fairbanks struck first with a tally by Dean Andrews at the 18:46 minute mark. Three minutes later, following him, was Oliver Barna, extending the Ice Dogs’ lead. The Wolverines would strike back with a tally by Luc Bydal a minute later. Heading into the second period, the Wolverines were down by one, looking to take the lead. The Wolverines found twine in the second frame thanks to a shorthanded goal by Sam Evert. Later in the period, the Wolverines would strike again, this time on the power play. Chase Trompeter scores on the man advantage to give Anchorage their first lead of the night. As the contest moved into the third frame, the Ice Dogs immediately responded with a goal by Mack Diggins at the 18:16 minute mark. With neither team lighting the lamp for the rest of the frame, the game was forced into overtime. Serving as the hero for the Ice Dogs, Dean Andrews scores with 4:34 left on the clock in the extra frame.