Fairbanks Ice Dogs 3 @ Wenatchee Wild 2 (OT) (Fairbanks wins best of five series, 3-2) – With a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs kept their Robertson Cup hopes alive and also assured themselves on being one of two hosts for the Semi-Finals. Fairbanks opened the scoring in the first period on a goal by Tayler Munson, assisted by Nick Hinz at 12:43, for a 1-0 lead. The Ice Dogs made it 2-0 as Viktor Liljegren came out of the penalty box and scored from Willie Brooks at 15:31. Wenatchee got on the board early in the second. Troy Loggins stationed at the left post, deflected home a shot from the deep left wing wall by Alex Bontje. Then, Jakob Ahlgren fired home a glove side wrister from the left wing circle early in the third period to get Wenatchee even, tying the game 2-2. There would be no more scoring in regulation and the game would proceed to overtime for the second night in a row.The Wild would take a penalty 1:12 into the extra session and it would take Fairbanks exactly 60 seconds to net the game winner, as Doug Rose scored from Lonnie Clary at 2:12 through a screen, giving the Ice Dogs the 3-2 win and the Midwest Division title. Boxscore
Port Huron Fighting Falcons 0 @ Michigan Warriors 4 (Michigan wins best of five series, 3-1) – Trevor Gorsuch stopped all 33 shots that came his way for his third shutout of the series as the Warriors captured the North Division playoff crowd and advanced to the Robertson Cup Semi-Finals with a 4-0 win over the Fighting Falcons on Saturday. Gorsuch allowed just two goals in the entire series, which both came in Game 3. After a scoreless 1st period, Michigan would get on the board early in the 2nd period with a tally from Tyler Groat just :40 second into the period, which would turn out to be the game-winner. In the 3rd period, TJ Stuntz would provide some insurance with two straight goals to make it 3-0 and Zack Szajner rounded out the scoring with Michigan’s fourth goal with under two minutes to go. Max Milosek made 32 saves in the Fighting Falcons loss in what was the final game of his junior career. The Warriors advance to the Semi-Finals against a yet undetermined opponent. Boxscore
Austin Bruins 4 @ Bismarck Bobcats 3 (Best of five series tied, 2-2) – The Austin Bruins bucked history and managed to come from behind to take Game 4 to extend the series to a fifth and deciding game in Austin on Monday night thanks to a 4-3 win on Saturday in Bismarck. Each team had plenty of offense with both clubs firing 37 shots on goal. The Bobcats struck first as Tanner Salsberry scored on the power play in the 1st period, putting the home side ahead 1-0. The Bruins responded with back-to-back goals just minutes apart in the 2nd period to claim the lead and Sam Kauppila and Lucas Kohls scored. However, the Bobcats weren’t done, as they reclaimed the lead back at 3-2 with two late 2nd period goals from Stanislav Dzakhov and Ryan Callahan. But, the Bruins responded back quickly and early in the 3rd period as Luke Dietsch scored the equalizer and Kauppila scored his second of the night, which would turn out to be the game-winner. Nick Lehr made 34 saves in the win, while Aaron Nelson took the loss making 33 saves. Game 5 is in Austin on Monday and the winner will advance to the Robertson Cup Semi-Finals. Boxscore
