Boston Dogs 3, Worcester Railers 2
The Boston Dogs defeated the Worcester Railers in a thrilling matchup, with the final score of 3-2. Owen Penny (’04/Livonia, Mich.) put up two goals, while Nathan McDougall (’04/Gatineau, Que.) had two assists. Ayden Pierce (’04/Oshawa, Ont.) was a rock in the net for the Dogs, saving an impressive 35 out of 37 shots.
P.A.L. Jr. Islanders 5, Jersey Hitmen 2
Ryan Franks (’05/Roslyn, N.Y.) scored 2 goals for the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders. Robert Lachance (’04/West Hartford, Conn.) had three assists, while Michael English (’04/Smithtown, N.Y.) and Ryan Kearney (’04/Kings Park, N.Y.) each had two helpers. Lukas Vejmelka (’04/Trebic, Czechia) was the winning goalie, saving 32 out of 34 shots on goal.
South Shore Kings 2, Utica Jr. Comets 1
Xavier Vaillancourt (’04/Pointe-Claire, Que.) scored the game-winning goal – the sixth of his career – to help the Kings to a close victory against the Jr. Comets. Bowdoin College commit Caden Wells (’05/Phoenix, Ariz.) scored a goal and an assist, while SUNY-Plattsburgh commit Beau Lane (’04/Pembroke, Mass.) made 36 saves on 37 shots.
Mercer Chiefs 3, Connecticut Jr. Rangers 2
The Chiefs eked out a 3-2 victory, with All-Star selection Samuel Ciappa (’05/Baldwinsville, N.Y.) putting up the game-winning goal and adding two assists. Ryan Stratton (’05/Syracuse, N.Y.) put up three assists as well. Dominick Gatto (’05/St. Charles, Ill.) registered a win with 28 saves on 30 shots. His 38th victory puts him at sixth all time.
Rockets Hockey Club 4, West Chester Wolves 2
The Rockets picked up a big win against the team right above them in the standings, closing the gap on fourth place to five points. Timotej Varga (’05/Presov, Slovakia) scored the game-winner, while All-Star selections Dylan Margel (’05/Potomac, Md.) had three assists and Lindenwood commit Gabriel Simpson (’07/Lafayette, Colo.) In goal, Derek Wood (’06/Louisville, Colo.) made 28 saves on 30 shots.
Idaho Falls Spud Kings 4, Rock Springs Grizzlies 2
Ryan Roethke (’04/Buffalo, Minn.) and All-Star Jonatan Raatikainen (’04/Karro, Finland) each put up a goal and two assists to help the Spud Kings earn two points and pull up to within a point of the first place Ogden Mustangs. Timothy Kim (’04/Vancouver, B.C.) registered a goal and an assist. Alex Sabev (’06/Mounds View, Minn.) stopped 30 of 32 shots in net.
Pueblo Bulls 6, Ogden Mustangs 0
The Bulls got a 36-save shutout from NCDC All-Stars selection Devin Peck (’05/Colorado Springs, Colo.), his first in the NCDC. Peck improved to 10-8-1-0 overall this season after the 6-0 victory against the first place Ogden Mustangs. Fellow All-Stars Siamion Marshchanok and Matsvei Marshchanok (both ’05/Minsk, Belarus) put up lines of 1-4-5 and 2-1-3, respectively. Balasz Hiezl (’05/Budapest, Hungary) and Mykyta Bondariev (’06/Kyiv, Ukraine) each had a goal and an assist. Carsen Gause (’05/Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) and Hunter Bill (’04/Green Bay, Wis.) each registered two assists.
Summaries By Joshua Boyd