November 13, 2018
After three events Thunder Bay Kings 18U forward Nicholas DeGrazia is the leading scorer in the 18U Division with 19 points in 12 games played.
The third NAPHL event of the 2018-19 season concluded on Monday in North Texas with the final 16U and 18U games of the event.
All of the NAHL South Division teams, in addition to NAHL Central Scouting, NCAA, and other junior teams, were in attendance for the four-day event, which saw all of the High Performance and Elite Division teams in action.
The standings in all three age levels are very tight and once again the parity of the NAPHL is shining through as games were close throughout the event.
This shapes up for an exciting fourth event of the season, which will take place in Blaine, Minnesota from November 30-December 3 at the Super Rink.
18U Division
MINUTEMEN NOTCH UPSET; MEIJER, WENATCHEE PULL AHEAD
Just four 18U contests featured on the final day of the November showcase, but each game held plenty of relevance in the High Performance and Elite divisions.
Wenatchee picked up an impressive win over Everett in an inter-division matchup, knocking off the Silvertips 3-1 thanks to two goals by Jackson Tillinghast and 31 saves by Luke Newell. The Wolves now sit two points above Thunder Bay in the Elite division, boasting 10 wins on the year.
Meijer and Carshield continue to tussle atop the High Performance division, but the advantage has tilted towards the former after Monday's action. Meijer dropped Esmark 3-1 to close out the weekend and move to 20 points this season, but Carshield fell victim to an upset win by Valley Forge, who snagged two third-period goals to earn the 2-0 victory. Andrew Engel stopped 34 pucks for the Minutemen.
Finally, Madison and Sioux Falls went back-and-forth in a game that ultimately ended 4-3 in favor of Madison, thanks to some Jack Michels heroics. After Simon Ellingson put the Capitols ahead 2-0 early, the Power responded with a three straight strikes from Nickolas Wieben, Ethan Robbins and Zach Dornfeld. Sioux Falls seemed poised to take the win before Michels tied the game in the final frame, then provided the winner in extra time.
16U Division
POWER RUN RIOT, OILERS STUMBLE AS HIGH PERFORMANCE DIVISION TAKES SHAPE
The 16U bracket also concluded play with four games on Monday, as the tight High Performance division begins to clear up.
Alaska and Sioux Falls have set the pace thus far, with 21 and 19 points, respectively, through the young campaign. The Power did gain on the Oilers on Monday, drubbing the Madison Capitols 7-1 on the back of two-goal efforts by Jack Oleksiuk, Dawson Pasternak and Jake Vockler. Meanwhile, Alaska suffered just its second regulation loss of the year in a 5-2 defeat to Valley Forge. Jake Spina led the way for the Minutemen, notching a pair of goals in the upset victory.
Meijer picked up at least a point for the sixth straight outing, beating Everett 3-1 to draw even with the Silvertips in the standings with 14 points apiece. Elsewhere, Carshield held off a furious Esmark comeback bid to win 3-2. Carshield put up a 3-0 advantage through 40 minutes, and netminder Matt Smith withstood a barrage of shots in the third period, allowing only two goals and ultimately stopping 32 of 34 pucks to backstop his team's victory.
