T1ER/T1EHL Invitational: Day 1 Sees the Return of the Top 40 18U Teams to Blaine, Minnesota

18U:

Carshield AAA 4 @ Anaheim Jr. Ducks 2 - Carshield rallied past Anaheim in the third period for a 4-2 win. After being tied 2-2 early on in the third period, Carshield managed to score two unanswered goals to seal the win. Hayden Vangilder showed strength in net with 20 saves. In the first period Anaheim led shots on goal 6-5, yet forward Cole Willcoxson ripped a power-play shot just above the faceoff dot from a pass by Connor Kaiman to give Carshield control early on. After a scoring drought for Anaheim, they snapped back with a goal at the end of the second period, and another as soon as play resumed in the third. The game was tied, and key performer Willcoxson found himself with the puck once again. He skated down the left side of the goal with speed, and got through one player, then two, and found the back of the net to give Carshield the lead once again. Vangilder stayed strong in net, turning away all of Anaheim’s attempts to bounce back. Anaheim struggled to regain its momentum, and Carshield continued to pressure them and ultimately close out the game. This 4-2 victory gives Carshield a strong starting point heading into more matchups this weekend. Anaheim however, will be looking to restructure their game heading into Saturday play. 

Indiana Elite 5 @ Carshield AAA 3 - Indiana Elite outscored Biggby Coffee in the third for the 5-3 win. The Elite truly lived up to their name, finding the back of the net three times in the third period of the game. Biggby Coffee put up a tough fight in the start, but wasn’t able to keep the pressure up. Max Adams opened the scoring for the game, with a breakaway short-handed goal. Indiana Elite had a scoreless first period, but showed up in the second with a rebound goal put away by Nicklas Mitchell. The teams battled it out throughout the second, returning goals to each other, before Indiana Elite dominated the third period scoring three goals within ten minutes of play. Kaesen Graff tied the game for the Elite, tipping the puck into the net on the power-play with just 1:03 on the clock in the second. Graff was not finished there, putting Indiana up 3-2 by burying the puck for his second goal of the day. The Indiana Elite saw an opportunity to capitalize and took it. They didn’t stop there, and managed two more goals in the third to put the game away. Despite a close matchup in the beginning, Biggby Coffee could not find a solution to the Elite’s final offensive push.

Omaha Master 3 @ Philadelphia Little Flyers 0 - The Omaha Mastery had a huge win against the Philadelphia Little Flyers, finishing 3-0 on the board. Will Therrien was stellar in net, recording a 16-save shutout. This was an extremely competitive matchup, and penalties plagued the Little Flyers almost immediately into the game. Blake Kubesa was the first to put the Mastery on the board, scoring with just a few seconds left in the power-play. The Mastery continued to find the back of the net again in both the second and third, building on their early momentum. While their offensive power may have been successful, their defensive and goaltending efforts were just as impressive. Will Therrien remained composed under pressure and stood tall between the pipes. Omaha proved they were a force to be reckoned with, capitalizing on their scoring chances, all while shutting down the Little Flyers attempts. The Mastery were able to secure a well-deserved 3-0 victory, and look to keep this momentum going into Saturday play. 

Lincoln Stars 3 @ Madison Capitals 0 - The Lincoln Stars shut out the Madison Capitols 3-0. The Capitols were outshot by their opponent for the entire 60 minutes, only getting seven shots on goal while the Stars managed 24. The Lincoln Stars set the tone from the beginning, with Ryan Aulin getting the rebound between two defenders and slapping the puck straight into the net just a few minutes into the game. A cross-checking penalty followed, setting the Stars up for a power-play goal giving them a 2-0 lead early on. Penalties continued to be a problem for the Capitols, who logged 22 minutes in the box, in comparison to the Stars’ four. Despite the lack of scoring in the third, the Stars were able to limit the Capitols’ offensive pressure and refused any momentum they tried to create. Even with all of the penalties throughout the matchup, the Stars kept their composure and were able to maintain their lead for the entirety of the game. The Capitols struggled to find an answer to the Stars’ scoring and defensive dominance. The Stars were able to keep control of the game to secure the 3-0 shutout victory and look forward to continuing their efforts moving into their Saturday matchup. 

16U: 

Philadelphia Little Flyers 7 @ Pittsburgh Stars 1 - The Pittsburgh Stars (5-1-0) crushed the Philadelphia Little Flyers (4-2-0) in a 7-1 victory, winning their iteration of the Battle of Pennsylvania and giving the Flyers their second consecutive loss. Both teams played hard, but it was the Stars who outshined their opponent with 26 shots on goal, while the Flyers only managed eight. The Stars' starting goaltender #48 Cole Ruffaner put on a spectacular performance, only allowing one goal to slip past him. The first period belonged completely to Pittsburgh. At 14:07, the first goal of the game was scored by the home team at the hands of #9 Garrett Myers, assisted by #7 Crosby Wukotich and #16 Parker Ferra. With 0:19 left in the first, #85 Reid Fowler and #7 Wukotich scored a second goal for the Stars, ending the period 2-0. The second period was incredibly physical. At 15:52, the Flyers were forced to go on the powerkill when #95 Ryan Orourke was assessed with a two minute minor for hooking. At 7:36, things got heated when Pittsburgh's #9 Garrett Myers, and Philadelphia's #95 Orourke, were both assessed with two minute minors for roughing. Pittsburgh capitalized on the 4-on-4, when #24 Dmitri Bondar and #79 Caleb Krynicky scored the Stars' third goal at 6:09. At 5:36, the dam fully broke when #9 Myers and #95 Orourke were both assessed with 10 minute game misconduct penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct. At 2:00, Flyers' #6 Shane Grubbs was assessed a two minute minor for cross-checking. Despite the physicality and brutality of the second period, Pittsburgh gave the third period their all. At 11:25, #26 Connor Keelan and #47 Asan Abdygulov scored a fourth goal for Pittsburgh. The fifth goal for the Stars was scored by #9 Myers and #7 Wukotich at 8:19. Just 11 seconds later, #79 Krynicky and #45 Liam McKerrnan scored Pittsburgh's sixth goal of the game. However, at 5:56, Philadelphia's #71 Colton Dreyfus put their sole goal on the board, declaring the Flyers still had some fight left in them. At 4:46, The Stars sealed the game at the hand of #85 Reid Fowler, assisted by #7 Wukotich, ending the game with a statement win. On Saturday, October 31st, the Philadelphia Little Flyers will play against the Sylvania North Stars at 3:00 PM CST, and the Pittsburgh Stars will battle the Omaha Mastery at 3:00 PM CST.

New Jersey Jr. Titans 6 @ Wasatch Renegades 2 - While the Little Battle of Pennsylvania was one to remember for its historic rivalry, the battle between the Titans (5-1-0) and the Renegades (0-10-0) was not one to take for granted. The visiting Titans defeated the defending Renegades and added a tenth game to Wasatch's losing streak. The starting goaltenders of both clubs performed exceedingly well. While Wasatch's #29 Nico Scott defended the net to the best of his ability, it was Jersey's #33 Michael Canning who only allowed two goals past the blue crease. The first period was riddled with penalties, both minor and major. At 14:54, all all broke loose when Wasatch's #3 Che Arguello, and Jersey's #8 Owen Hauztinger, were assessed two minute minors for roughing. The roughing immediately sparked a fight. Jersey's #96 Max Hosang, and Wasatch's #22 Moses Macias, were both assessed 10 minute game misconducts for fighting. The physicality did not end here. At 10:50, Jersey's #17 Collin Kindig was assessed a two minute minor for tripping, followed by a two minute minor penalty given to fellow teammate #63 Pershing Lawson for cross-checking. Kindig was given a second minor penalty for roughing at 7:35. At 4:05, Jersey lit the goal lights at the hands of #28 Alejandro Monagas, assisted by #22 Brayden Wilson. With five seconds remaining in the period, #22 Wilson was given another assist when he helped #21 Maddox Rogers score, giving the Titans a two goal lead. The second period began with New Jersey-style domination. At 13:27, #28 Monagas scored his second goal of the game with the help of #47 Sergey Mirolantis. At 8:10, #39 Nick Lombardi and #21 Rogers scored a fourth goal for the Titans. The Titans were forced to go on the powerkill when Lombardi was assessed a two minute minor for tripping at 2:30. Just 20 seconds into the powerplay, #11 Jacob Findley scored the first goal for the Renegades, assisted by #12 Ryker Connors and #34 Mateo Martinez. The third period was a battle. At 14:54, #17 Kindig was assessed his third penalty of the night for a bench minor, forcing the Titans to be short-handed once again. The Renegades capitalized on this opportunity, and #32 Evan Zupo scored at 13:04, assisted by #19 Zane Matthews and #3 Arguello. This would not stop the Titans, however. At 6:06, #22 Wilson scored alongside #39 Lombardi, giving the Titans a three goal lead once again. At 5:38, Wasatch's #9 Richard Stark was assessed a two minute minor for interference. With 45 seconds remaining in the game, Jersey's #47 Mirolantis scored the sixth and final goal with the help of #86 Frankie Berardi and #28 Monagas, ending the battle with a 6-2 win. On Saturday, October 31st, the New Jersey Junior Titans will take on New Hampshire Mountain Kings Academy at 1:15 PM CST, and the Wasatch Renegades will face off against Biggby Coffee at 3:00 PM CST.

15U:

Tri-State Spartans 7 @ Vegas Jr. Golden Knights 3 - The Vegas Junior Golden Knights continue their losing streak as the Tri-State Spartans secure their fourth victory this season in a 7-3 win. Both teams played hard, with the Spartans ending the game with 29 shots on goal, and the Junior Golden Knights coming in close behind with 23 shots on goal. Both of their starting goaltenders put on a spectacular performance, but it was Tri-State's #79 Lucas Raimondo (G) who shielded the net from 26 goal attempts. The first period began as a raucous stalemate between both clubs until at 5:28, #37 Charlie Graham, assisted by #90 Tyler Balee, scored the first goal of the game and gave the visiting Spartans a one goal lead. Vegas was forced to play one man short when #88 William Kerr was assessed a slashing minor at 2:31. This did not stop Vegas, however, as #21 Tristen Bounds scored for the Knights at 1:30. Tri-State answered the short-handed goal with one of their own from #53 Easton Hatcher, assisted by #11 Harrison Welsch and #24 Benjamin LaMontagne, with only 0:56 left on the clock. The second period proved to be more explosive. At 16:48, #91 Rockney Ricafrente, assisted by #88 Kerr, scored Vegas' second goal of the night. This only motivated Tri-State to power forward. At 15:47, #37 Graham scored his second goal of the game for the Spartans, Assisted by #95 Liam Whitecotton, and #55 Mason Schnell. At 13:09, Graham scored his third goal for the visitors, assisted by #90 Balee, and achieved his first hat trick of the season. At 10:21, however, the momentum for Tri-State would slow as #22 Jameson Marchaud would be assessed a minor penalty for interference. Though not being able to capitalize on the powerplay, Vegas would answer with a third goal at 2:12, when #9 Brodie Davila and #71 Ethan Lee would score, placing the Knights at a one goal deficit. With 1:01 left on the clock, #8 Kerr was given his second penalty of the game for interference. If the second period was nothing but trades, the third period would belong completely to Tri-State. At 16:32, Vegas went on the powerkill when #9 Davila was assessed with a two minute minor for tripping. Luckily for Vegas, no goals were scored during the powerplay. At 7:54, however, Tri-State's momentum would climb higher as #8 Aiden Ortiz scored the Spartans' fifth goal of the game. Chose would ensue as Knights were penalized with a two minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct. #19 Rainen Roces would be chosen to be in the box as Vegas was forced to go on yet another powerkill. The Spartans achieved a powerplay goal when #24 LaMontagne, assisted by #37 Graham and #19 Dylan Koring, scored at 6:54. At 6:22, Tri-State's #13 Harrison Weber was assessed a two minute minor for slashing. Though they were short-handed, the Spartans would score their seventh of the night at 6:13 at the hands of #19 Koring, assisted by #90 Balee. The seventh goal ended up being the final nail in the coffin for the Spartans' dominant performance against the Junior Golden Knights.  On Saturday, October 31st, Tri-State plays again at 11:00 AM CST against the Philadelphia Hockey Club, and the Vegas Junior Golden Knights will face off against the New Jersey Junior Titans at 1:00 pm CST.