Utica Jr. Comets 3, South Shore Kings 2
The Jr. Comets earned a big win that put them into sole possession of third place after a Saturday victory. All-Star selection Niko Benjamin (’04/Surprize, Ariz.) scored a goal and an assist and Dylan Eliason (’04/Northville, Mich.) stopped 36 of 38 shots.
Mercer Chiefs 3, West Chester Wolves 2 (OT)
The Chiefs earned a 3-2 overtime win against the West Chester Wolves. Ryan Stratton (’05/Syracuse, NY) put home the #OTGWG, and the Chiefs pushed up to second place in the Atlantic Division. All-Star selection Jake Stevens (’05/Newton, N.J.) registered two assists and Dominick Gatto (’05/St. Charles, Ill.) registered 37 saves on 39 shots. His 39th win ranks sixth all-time in NCDC history.
Rockets Hockey Club 3, Connecticut Jr. Rangers 2
The Rockets finished a 3-2 victory against the host Connecticut Jr. Rangers, the Rockets’ second victory in a row. Hudson Slenker (’06/York, Pa.) put up two goals, including the game-winner. In net, Jason Cai (’05/Basking Ridge, N.J.) stopped 28 of 30 shots. Jan Lokajicek (’04/Czechia) made 45 saves on 48 shots in a strong effort for Connecticut.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 4, P.A.L. Jr. Islanders 2
The Knights are on a five-game point streak (4-0-0-1) as they are making a second half push to try to break into the Atlantic top four. They pulled off a key upset against a team 20 points higher in the standings, the division-leading Jr. Islanders, on Saturday. Keanan Pearman (’05/Sherwood Park, Alb.) put up a goal and two assists, while the team got two assists from each of Ethan Seibert (’04/Greely, Ont.) and Ethan Ross (’05/Ottawa, Ont.) In net, Max Varner (’05/Buffalo, Minn.) made 28 saves on 30 shots.
Idaho Falls Spud Kings 5, Casper Warbirds 1
Sammy Grimaldi (’05/Elk Grove Village, Ill.) put up three goals for his first career hat trick. NCDC All-Star selections Jonatan Raatikainen (’04/Karro, Finland) and Andrew Schmidt (’05/Chicago, Ill.) had lines of 1-1-2 and 0-2-2, while in net, Charlie Durkin (’06/Glencoe, Ill.) made 15 saves on 16 shots. Timothy Kim (’04/Vancouver, B.C.) earned two assists.
Pueblo Bulls 3, Ogden Mustangs 2 (OT)
The Bulls registered a 3-2 overtime victory against the division-leading Ogden Mustangs, with the #OTGWG coming from Mykyta Bondariev (’06/Kyiv, Ukraine), the first of his career. The two-year Bull has a career-best 18 points this season. In net, Devin Peck (’05/Colorado Springs, Colo.) was strong with 43 saves on 45 shots, while fellow All-Star selection Siamion Marshchanok (’05/Minsk, Belarus) scored a goal and added two assists.
Summaries by Joshua Boyd
