Thunder Hockey Club 2, Northern Cyclones 1
The Thunder Hockey Club picked up a big upset win Friday against the Northern Cyclones, 11 points above them in the standings entering the game. Leave it to Thunder veteran Roman Wainwright (’05/Detroit, Mich.) to score the GWG, the fourth of his career. Wainwright has 17 points in 19 games this season. Michael Calabret (’05/Hudson, Ohio) stopped 36 of 37 shots in net for the win.
Islanders Hockey Club 5, Worcester Railers JHC 4
Veterans often lead the way, and boy, does Braxton Powers ever embody that statement! The ’04 from Raleigh, N.C., has bypassed the 100-point mark with two straight four-point games to stand currently at 102 points in 123 games. He is the Islanders Hockey Club’s all-time leading scorer and the only player in their eight-year #NCDC history to eclipse the century mark. He put up 2-2-4 including the GWG in a 5-4 win over the Worcester Railers JHC Friday. Joseph Samango (’05/Havertown, Pa.) put up a goal and two assists for three points, while in net, Ryan Crowshaw (’04/Avon, Conn.) put up 25 saves on 29 shots.
Jersey Hitmen 5, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 3
The Hitmen won their second in a row to retake sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division. The Hitmen got a goal and an assist from each of Ryan Shea (’06/Norwell, Mass.) and Filip Tomiczek (’04/Tvinec, Czechia). Aiden Ryan (’04/Raleigh, N.C.) had two assists, and Nick Bunch (’05/Canton, Mich.) enjoyed a strong performance of 28 saves on 31 shots.
Mercer Chiefs 5, West Chester Wolves 3
The Mercer Chiefs have two straight victories, with Easton Swift (’05/West Hartford, Conn.) scoring twice. Samuel Ciappa (’05/Baldwinsville, N.Y.) scored a goal and two assists, while Ryan Stratton (’05/Syracuse, N.Y.) added a goal and an assist. Dominick Gatto (’05/St. Charles, Ill.) registered 42 saves on 45 shots, improving to 14-6-0-0 this season and 34 wins for his career. Gatto’s 34 wins rank him seventh all-time in the NCDC.
Utica Jr. Comets 4, Seacoast Spartans 2
The Utica Jr. Comets are on a three-game winning streak, after a 4-2 victory against the Seacoast Spartans. Declan Stewart (’05/North Las Vegas, Nev.) registered two goals and added one assist. Anthony Alvarado (’04/Stockton, Calif.) and Daniel Urban (’04/Orchard Park, N.Y.) scored a goal and an assist apiece. Michael Valenta (’05/Sumperk, Czechia) is enjoying a three-game winning streak, and he made 33 saves on 35 shots for the win tonight.
Rockets Hockey Club 5, Connecticut Jr. Rangers 1
The Rockets continue to get strong offense from their leading scorer Jared Rothman (’06/Chappaqua, N.Y.), as he put up a goal and two assists, scoring 34 points in 25 games. Additionally, Timotej Varga (’05/Presov, Slovakia) and Dylan Margel (’05/Potomac, Md.) each scored a goal and an assist. Jakub Kristek (’07/Mlada Boleslav, Czechia) had two assists for the evening. In net, Jason Cai (’05/Basking Ridge, N.J.) picked up his sixth win.
Rock Springs Grizzlies 5, Casper Warbirds 2
The Grizzlies were 5-2 winners against the Warbirds, with five different goal-scorers chipping in the offense. Reid Taylor (’06/Morrison, Colo.), an NCDC veteran who returned to the league from the SJHL, scored the game-winning goal with his first goal of the year. Matthew MacArthur (’04/Barrington, Ill.) made 33 saves on 34 shots for the victory.
Idaho Falls Spud Kings 4, Ogden Mustangs 1
Sammy Grimaldi (’05/Elk Grove Village, Ill.) scored the game-winning goal, while Andrew Schmidt (’05/Chicago, Ill.) made two assists. Charlie Durkin (’06/Glencoe, Ill.) made 21 saves on 22 shots. The Spud Kings have earned points in 11 straight games at 9-0-2-0, with the ninth win in that series coming on Friday, 4-1, over the Ogden Mustangs. With the win, the Spud Kings and Mustangs tied for the top spot in the Mountain Division.
Summaries by Joshua Boyd
