NAPHL FALL League Recap: 10/13

We have officially reached the final day of the NAPHL FALL League Season. Today’s semi-final matchups were thrilling to watch and we look forward to crowning champions tomorrow at the 18U and 16U levels. To check out the full day of scores be sure to click here!

18U:

The first semi-final game at the 18U level featured the Austin Bruins taking on the Fairbanks Ice Dogs with Fairbanks coming out on top after a demanding 7-3 victory. With their three losses of the season dating back to the first FALL event, the Ice Dogs have turned things around since September and have been on an absolute tear ever since. Looking at their four games so far during the final weekend, Fairbanks has averaged 9.5 goals per game and are looking to continue their powerhouse offense as they head into the Championship game. Keep an eye out for leading scorer Matthew Volkman who has already tallied 10 points this weekend and is hungry for a Championship title. 

Meeting up with Fairbanks in the Championship game will be the Kenai River Brown Bears after their upset victory over the Odessa Jackalopes. Entering the semi-final match with only one loss, the Jackalopes were favorites to win the game but the Brown Bears had other plans. The contest was an absolute nail biter as they entered the third and final frame scoreless, neither team being able to get one past the respective netminders. It was at the 14:44 mark that Garrett Fischer opened up the scoring for Kenai and would go on to net the final goal for the Brown Bears as well, his seventh and eighth goals of the year. 

The 18U Championship game will take place at 12:00 PM.

16U:

The Fairbanks Ice Dogs will have not one, but two teams competing for a Championship title as their 16U team defeated the Janesville Jets 5-2 to punch their ticket to Monday’s game. After a scoreless first period, the flood gates opened up during the second frame as five total goals were scored, four of which coming off of the sticks of Fairbanks. With five different players finding the back of the net, it was a complete team effort as everyone played their part and contributed to the victory. During a post game interview, Keegan Davis stated, “We’ve felt great all tournament. We have been rolling through teams and we’re trying to keep the positive energy up.” 

Defenseman Jake Lien was the hero for the Chippewa Steel as the ‘08 blueliner scored his first goal of the season, the one and only goal scored during the semi-final tilt with the Austin Bruins. Both goaltenders were tested throughout the game as Austin’s Evan Loftus stopped 20 of 21 shots while Chippewa’s Hayden Van Gilder stopped all 25 shots for the shutout. Steel Head Coach Cory Hunt has been eyeing the Championship game since the first event and is excited to face off with the tough Fairbanks squad in the morning. 

The 16U Championship game will take place at 10:00 AM.