South Shore Kings 5, Connecticut Jr. Rangers 2
The Kings extended their winning streak to nine, claiming W’s in every game since falling in their first game exactly one month ago on Sept. 19. They stand in second place overall, three points behind the Jersey Hitmen. Hunter Bruce (’05/Dartmouth, N.S.) scored two goals, while both Tyler Maxner (’04/Bayfield, Ont.) and Jason Zaccari (’05/Santa Ana, Calif.) each had two assists. Former Mount St. Charles Academy goalie and 2024 NCDC Entry Draft Phase II selection Justin Bayers (’06/Kamas, Utah) registered 27 saves on 29 shots in his junior debut for his first win.
Mercer Chiefs 4, Worcester Railers JHC 1
The Mercer Chiefs got a goal and an assist apiece from Samuel Ciappa (’05/Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and Gregory Diamond (’04/West Chester, Pa.) en route to their fifth straight victory. In net, Ben Skowroneck (’05/Arlington, Va.) stopped 21 of 22 shots for his first junior victory.
Jersey Hitmen 4, Islanders Hockey Club 3
In a back-and-forth game, the Hitmen came back from being down 3-2 entering the third period. Derek Tremblay (’05/Quebec City, Que.) scored the regulation game-winning goal, while Patrick Walsh (’05/Bernardsville, N.J.) posted two assists. Nick Bunch (’05/Canton, Mich.) stopped 24 of 27 shots for the win. For the Islanders, Samuel Larrson (’04/Stockholm, Sweden) had a 1-2-3 line.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 3, Seacoast Spartans 2
The Knights got two goals – including the overtime winner – and an assist from second-year Knight Teito Ishigaki (’05/Tokyo, Japan), and Emmanuel Pepin (’05/St-Jean-sur-Richelieu) made 15 saves on 17 shots for the win. For Seacoast, Nick Golub (’04/North Brunswick, N.J.) put in a strong performance with 38 saves on 41 shots.
Rockets Hockey Club 4, Thunder Hockey Club 1
The Rockets swept their way through the Hitmen Classic, going 3-0 and pulling even on the season at 5-5-1-0. Jakub Kristek (’07/Mlada Boleslav, Czechia) scored a goal and added two assists, while Xavier Delisle (’07/La Sarre, Que.) made 21 saves on 22 shots for the win.
Boston Jr. Rangers 3, West Chester Wolves 1
Stephen Chen (’05/Beijing, China) stopped 49 of the 50 shots he faced to help lead the Jr. Rangers to a 3-1 victory, the first in his junior career. Tyler Dale (’04/Pewaukee, Wis.) for a goal and an assist, and Andrew Toomey (’05/Medford, Mas.) added in two assists.
Utica Jr. Comets 3, P.A.L. Jr. Islanders 2 (OT)
The Jr. Comets left the Hitmen Classic with a 2-1 record, with former USPHL Premier Jr. Comets standout Tighe Frazee (’05/Stevensville, Ont.) scored the overtime winner after Duncan Stewart (’05/Shorthills, N.J.) scored to tie the game with 58 seconds remaining. Michael Valenta (’05/Sumperk, Czechia) made 31 saves on 33 shots for the win.
Rock Springs Grizzlies 3, Utah Outliers 2 (OT)
The Grizzlies were forced into OT after the Outliers tied the game 2-2 in the third period. Kristof Molnar (’05/Kolmar, Slovakia), a former USPHL Premier All-Star, scored the overtime game-winning goal. Greyson Settipane (’05/Buffalo, N.Y.) scored a goal and an assist. Thomas Samborski (’05/Okotoks, Alberta) stopped 34 of 36 shots for the victory, his first in the NCDC.
Pueblo Bulls 4, Idaho Falls Spud Kings 2
The Bulls got a game-winning goal and an assist from Carsen Gause (’05/Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.), and also got 24 saves on 26 shots from Devin Peck (’05/Colorado Springs, Colo.) This was the Bulls’ fifth straight victory, putting them at second in the Mountain Division.
Ogden Mustangs 3, Casper Warbirds 0
Dilans Birkans (’06/Ikskile, Latvia) stopped all 25 shots he faced from the Casper Warbirds in a home victory for the Mustangs. Ogden also got a goal and an assist from A.J. Iwinski (’05/Batavia, Ill.) and Brody Simko (’04/Butler, Pa.) The Mustangs are unbeaten in regulation over their last eight games (7-0-1-0).
