Playoff Game Round 1: 5-2 Steelheds; Final 2013-2014 Maulers Recapped Post

Well, unfortunately I have some very heart breaking news for you all. The Missoula Maulers have been eliminated from the WSHL playoffs by the Idaho Jr Steelheads with a score of 5-2 after 60 minutes of hardcore hockey. I haven't been so incredibly thrilled and saddened at the same time for quite some time. I am so proud of the boys for all the hard work they put into this season and how much they grew as players over the 8 months that I was able to know them. The game they played today was amazing and they went out with one final blow and made sure that if this was going to be their final game of the 2013-2014 collective season then they were going to make it one of the best they have ever played. The boys played with their hearts on the ice and they played as brothers, not team mates, brothers. I am saddened by the fact that all of a sudden everything has come to a halt and this was the final time I will see most of these boys. I have grown to love all of them as the season progressed and it will be very difficult to watch them leave one by one as they return home, return to Europe, and move on to college hockey. I have loved writing for the Maulers and all of you and I am going to miss every minute of it until the puck drops for the first time at the Glacier Ice Rink signaling the return of hockey for the 2014-2015 season. Best of luck boys wherever you are going to head off in your next adventure in life and I hope to keep in contact with you guys! Phenomenal job in the inaugural year of the WSHL and congrats on an amazing performance this season. I am going to miss you guys terribly!! ( :( )

Victor Carlsson started things off at 19:00 in the first for the Steelheads on a power play assisted by Ben Hull and Oskar Af Bjur.

Hunter Lester made it 2-0 at 0:00 for Idaho with assists for Af Bjur and Ian Patrican, Jesper Jensen made it 3-0 at 7:23 with a short handed and unassisted geno, and Ben Hull made it 4-0 at 15:14 on a power play with help from Randy Patzner. Max Rebholz scored half of Missoula's goals to end the 2nd period at 18:13 on a power play with assists for Matt Chamberlain and Tanner Todd.

Dimitris Jones recorded Idaho's 5th point of the game at 11:07 on yet another power play. Assists came from Randy Patzner and Victor Carlsson. Missoula ended the game and their season on their terms with a power play goal from the stick of Billy Bigham at 16:38. This final goal was assisted by Nikita Sheptytskyy and John Andersson.

This is Sophia Rauvola (Etier) signing off for the last time of the 2013-2014 season. Thank you very much for following my posts and we will see if I am back next year! Again thank you very much! Here is a video I made with photos of this season I took!

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Period 1:
Missoula Maulers - Josh Rehm (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 7:05
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Kyle TenEyck (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 7:05
Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 9:38
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Kyle TenEyck (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 9:38
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Bryan Hodges (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 10:21
Missoula Maulers - Jordan Wheatly (Holding) 2 Minutes, 10:21
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Jesper Jensen (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 10:21
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Jesper Jensen (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 18:55
Missoula Maulers - Corey Schafer (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 18:55
Missoula Maulers - Henrik Ekestahl (Holding) 2 Minutes, 18:55
Period 2:
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Randy Patzner (Roughing Double Minor) 4 Minutes, 4:20
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Luc Gensler (Interference) 2 Minutes, 10:15
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Kyle TenEyck (Roughing Double Minor) 4 Minutes, 15:04
Missoula Maulers - Erich Jaeger (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 15:04
Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Roughing Double Minor)
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Zach Walden (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 15:42
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Zach Walden (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 15:42
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Victor Ivarsson (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 19:17
Missoula Maulers - Corey Schafer (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 19:17
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Kyle Williams (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 19:47
Missoula Maulers - Erich Jaeger (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 19:47
Period 3:
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Oskar Af Bjur (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 6:02
Missoula Maulers - Erich Jaeger (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 6:24
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Dak Dice (Interference) 2 Minutes, 6:35
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Dak Dice (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 10:51
Missoula Maulers - Corey Schafer (Roughing Double Minor) 4 Minutes, 10:51
Missoula Maulers - Corey Schafer (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 10:51
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Jesper Jensen (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 14:41
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Jesper Jensen (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 14:41
Idaho Jr Steelheads - Randy Patzner (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 16:38

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 20 total
Idaho Jr Steelheads - 28 total

POWER PLAYS:

Missoula Maulers - 2 for 11
Idaho Jr Steelheads - 3 for 3

GOALTENDERS:

#31 Cody Janzen for Missoula Maulers: 60 Minutes played, 28 shots on goal 23 saves

#1 Sean Healy for Idaho Jr Steelheads: 60 Minutes played, 20 shots on goal 18 saves

Playoff Game Round 1 Results: 3-2 Maulers

Welcome back Maulers nation, the reason I am reporting to you is because the boys have fought to live another day! That's right they crushed Idaho with a 3-2 win and are looking to regain some momentum as they force a third and final game which decides who will face off against the Ogden Mustangs, who recently upset the Salt Lake City Moose by advancing on to the second round with a 2 game sweep, in the second round to determine who will be the Northwest divisional champions. I knew the boys had the fighting spirit inside of them, and now, they do as well. The lines were definitely improved from game 1's performance and the level of play was stepped up without a doubt. The team met Idaho's strength and pinpointed their weaknesses to which they used against them. I am predicting that the third game will be one of the toughest the Maulers have faced yet. The Jr. Steelheads are already aggravated and tomorrow it will be an all out slug-fest to see who will claim that last spot. I believe that Idaho is going to bring their most physically demanding and harshest game to the ice because they have a title to defend and they will do anything to protect it.

Erich Jaeger, who has proven to be skilled beyond his years this season, started the scoring off the game as well as the Maulers at 3:34 on a power play in the first. Azzinnaro and Wheatly nabbed assists.

Gritty veteran Corey Schafer scored an unassisted goal at 7:16 in the middle frame to make it 2-0 Missoula. At 10:26, Ben Hull of Idaho netted one past Janzen to make it 2-1 with a little help from team mate Anton Virtanen. Defenseman Henrik Ekestahl responded 3 minutes and 31 second later with an unassisted geno of his own to once again make it a 2 point Missoula lead. Victor Carlsson scored the last goal of the game at 15:16, also unassisted, to make it 3-2 for the Steelheads but unfortunately that wasn't enough to tie it.

The third and final game will be at 1pm MST in McCall, Idaho. Victor moves on to the next round versus the Ogden Mustangs.

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Period 1: 

Idaho Jr Steelheads - Randy Patzner (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 2:26

Missoula Maulers - Tyler Zandhuisen (Kneeing) 2 Minutes, 7:14

Idaho Jr Steelheads - Randy Patzner (High Sticking) (Double Minor) 4 Minutes, 13:59

Period 2:

Missoula Maulers - Erich Jaeger (Interference) 2 Minutes, 8:04

Period 3:

Idaho Jr Steelheads - Randy Patzner (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 4:23

Missoula Maulers - Henrik Ekestahl (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 14:16

Idaho Jr Steelheads - Victor Carlsson (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 14:16

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 16 total

Idaho Jr Steelheads - 40 total

POWER PLAYS:

Missoula Maulers - 1 for 4

Idaho Jr Steelheads - 0 for 3

GOALTENDERS:

#31 Cody Janzen for Missoula Maulers: 60 Minutes played, 40 shots on goal 38 saves

#30 Danny Kowalski for Idaho Jr Steelheads: 33:57 Minutes played, 11 shots on goal 8 saves

#1 Sean Healy for Idaho Jr Steelheads: 26:03 Minutes played, 5 shots on goal 5 saves

Playoff Game Round 1 Results: 3-0 Jr Steelheads

The playoffs are upon us, hair has been treated with copious amounts of peroxide, and the battle for the Thorne Cup has commenced in McCall, Idaho against the Jr. Steelheads. Well unfortunately the boys did not get the ball rolling as they had hoped and are down 1 game. After losing a crucial game 1, the Zoo Town boys have to be on their absolute tip top, best game tomorrow if they want to force a third game and try to knock the 3 time defending Thorne Cup champions out of the post season. I know deep down they have the skills to accomplish this task but it's whether or not they are up to the challenge of playing harder than they ever have this season. First of all, the defenseman HAVE to play mean, they have to play aggressive, and they have to play the grittiest hockey of their career. The Jr. Steelheads are known as having probably the top driving forwards in the league and they will bowl over anyone, and I mean anyone, to get the biscuit into the back of the net. Next off the forwards have to maintain puck control if they ever want a shot on Idaho's goalie because this game is not only mentally it's how much skill you have. I know these boys and I know their individual talents and right now it's time to bring them out. The coaches, in my opinion, need to have extremely strong and brutal defenseman on the blue line at all times for example Austin Azzinnaro, Henrik Ekestahl, and Joseph Porco. They need to bring out their most skilled forwards who will play gritty and push through the lines of the Steelheads and zero in on the net like Corey Schafer, Joey Sundgren, and Erich Jaeger. And last of all the goaltenders. You need someone who can flourish under pressure, keep calm, and maintain a 100% solid game. That my friends would be Sebastian Gronborg. Mcdaniel and Janzen are great goaltenders don't get me wrong but Gronborg thrives under pressures. I have loved working with this team but I am going to say this right here and now, if we don't see a game change tomorrow it could be all over. I don't meant to criticize the coaches' decisions but, in my opinion, if they don't pin Idaho's weaknesses on them I have no idea what they are thinking. I have complete faith in the boys all they need to do is step up to the plate and roll with the punches. Get mean and get nasty because once the season ended it's Eat or Be Eaten; Survival of the Fittest. Best of luck boys I believe in you. Go for Glory!

There were no goals scored in the first period.

Swedish Steelhead Victor Carlsson started the scoring game off by lighting the net at 10:55 in the second period on a power play goal with an assist for Dak Dice.

Macky Power, with the help of Kyle Williams and Randy Patzner, made it a 2-0 game at 14:42 in the third. Beast player Jesper Jensen made it 3-0 at 17:11 and ended the night in Idaho's favor. He had assists from Victor Carlsson and Ben Hull.

Play your heart out boys like I know you can. Game 2 is at 7:30 pm MST on March 15th.

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Period 1:

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Kyle TenEyck (Hooking) 2 Minutes, 1:26

Period 2:

Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 10:05

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Bryan Hodges (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 10:05

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Bryan Hodges (Interference) 2 Minutes, 19:18

Period 3:

Missoula Maulers - Henrik Ekestahl (Hooking) 2 Minutes, 0:34

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Victor Carlsson (High Sticking) 2 Minutes, 4:05

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Jesper Jensen (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 9:29

Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 12:20

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Luc Gensler (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 19:58

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 17 total

Idaho Junior Steelheads - 37 total

POWER PLAYS:

Missoula Maulers - 0 for 6

Idaho Junior Steelheads - 1 for 3

GOALTENDERS:

#31 Cody Janzen for Missoula Maulers: 60 Minutes played, 37 shots on goal 34 saves

#1 Sean Healy for Idaho Junior Steelheads: 60 Minutes played, 17 shots on goal 17 saves

Maulers Kick Totems out of Missoula with a 6-2 Win

I cannot describe how proud of the boys I am! When the Seattle Totems came into town everyone knew there would be trouble, but your Missoula Maulers took the right road and played clean hockey. Yes there were a few fights here and there (we will get to that in a second) but overall the boys played incredibly well. They are finally working and trusting each other on shifts and are working as a unit instead of relying on individual skill. I honestly think that they are playoff ready and will give the Steelheads a run for their money. The Missoula boys are much stronger than they were only a few months ago and they have so much drive in them. I have to be quite honest right now, I can't think of any words that could express my pride, my excitement, or my support for this team. They have my full support going into the playoffs and I think they will surprise a lot of other people as well. This is their year and they are taking in as much as they can. Now I mentioned a fight before and this is the guy I really think you should look at for a professional hockey career; Austin "Auzzie" Azzinnaro. This beauty was a total machine last night and he was the one who really gave Seattle the final blow. In his first fight, Auzzie destroyed Piers LaFrance and sent him out the doors with his tail between his legs. It was an absolute garage sale of twigs, helmets, and mitts on the ice but it was probably one of the best junior fights I have ever seen. Just goes to show that if you mess with anyone watch your back because Azzinnaro will toss you out of the rink bloodied, broken, and bruised. You should have seen the other guy, he was not looking good. Definitely remember the name Austin Auzzinnaro because this gem is going places!

Craig Buford got things rolling for the Maulers when he put up the first geno at 12:05 in the first period. He had a little help from Tanner Todd and Joey Porco. Rookie sniper Erich Jaeger scored the next point on a power play at 18:25 with assissts for Tyler Zandhuisen and Nikita Sheptytskyy.

Veteran and major beauty Corey Schafer scored the first goal of the second period when he found the back of the net at 11:38. Apples went to Tyler Zandhuisen and Anders Nord. Jordan Wheatly added a point in his name at 13:20 with assists for Azzinnaro and Sheptytskyy.  The Totems got the first half of their 2 points on the scoreboard at 18:10 from the stick of Marek Nemec. Nikolay Mamadzhanov and Sergey Kuznetsov had the assists. At 18:53 Josh Chamberlain made it 5-1 when he found the back of the net with help from Josh Ingram-Rehm and Austin Azzinnaro.

Tyler Zandhuisen rounded things up at 4:22 into the third on a power play with assists for, you guessed it, Auzzie and Josh Chamberlain. Marek Nemec scored the last goal of the game in Seattle's favor on a power play at 13:10. Frank Flight and Robin Bjoernstad had the assists.

The playoff schedule in McCall/Boise for the first round goes as follows: Jr. Steelheads vs. Maulers 3/14/14 7:30 pm MST Game 1, Jr. Steelheads vs, Maulers 3/15/14 7:30 pm MST Game 2, Jr. Steelheads vs. Maulers 2:30 pm MST 3/16/14 MST (IF NECESSARY) Best of luck boys!!!! Here are some photos I took yesterday! There are more at the bottom as well, quite a few actually!

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Seattle Totems - Doug Stultz (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 3:52
Missoula Maulers - Nikita Sheptytskyy (High Sticking) 2 Minutes, 3:55
Missoula Maulers - Craig Buford (Too Many Men) (Bench Minor) 2 Minutes, 8:47
Seattle Totems - Pavel Jon (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 16:49
Seattle Totems - Doug Stultz (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 17:24
Missoula Maulers - Corey Schafer (Head Contact) 2 Minutes, 18:40
Period 2:
Missoula Maulers - Edward Pollon (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 2:28
Seattle Totems - Piers LaFrance (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 2:28
Seattle Totems - Frank Flight (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 3:43
Missoula Maulers - Nikita Sheptytskyy (Delay of Game) 2 Minutes, 3:43
Seattle Totems - Connor Smith (Head Contact) 2 Minutes, 4:21
Seattle Totems - Doug Stultz (Boarding) (Major) 5 Minutes, 6:36
Seattle Totems - Doug Stultz (Boarding) (Game Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 6:36
Seattle Totems - Marek Nemec (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 8:15
Seattle Totems - Nick Peters (Holding) 2 Minutes, 14:02
Seattle Totems - Marek Nemec (Head Contact) 2 Minutes, 15:36
Seattle Totems - Nick Peters (Third Man In) (Game Ejection) 10 Minutes, 19:18
Seattle Totems - Trent Lloyd (Fighting) (Major) 5 Minutes, 19:18
Seattle Totems - Trent Lloyd (Fighting) (Game Ejection) 10 Minutes, 19:18
Seattle Totems - Connor Smith (Fighting) (Major) 5 Minutes, 19:18
Missoula Maulers - Anders Nord (Fighting) (Major) 5 Minutes, 19:18
Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Fighting) (Major) 5 Minutes, 19:18
Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Fighting) (Game Ejection) 10 Minutes, 19:18
Missoula Maulers - Corey Schafer (Roughing) (Double Minor) 4 Minutes, 19:18
Period 3:
Seattle Totems - Eric Dana (Holding) 2 Minutes, 2:12
Seattle Totems - Eric Dana (Head Contact) 2 Minutes, 2:12
Missoula Maulers - Josh Chamberlain (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 6:59
Missoula Maulers - Austin Azzinnaro (Checking from Behind) 2 Minutes, 9:03
Missoula Maulers - Austin Azzinnaro (Fighting) (Instigator) 2 Minutes, 12:00
Missoula Maulers - Austin Azzinnaro (Fighting) (Major) 5 Minutes, 12:00
Missoula Maulers - Austin Azzinnaro (Removing Opponents Helmet) (Game Ejection) 10 Minutes, 12:00
Seattle Totems - Piers LaFrance (Fighting) (Major) 5 Minutes, 12:00
Seattle Totems - Marek Nemec (Facemask) 2 Minutes, 16:52
Seattle Totems - Marek Nemec (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 16:52

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 49 total
Seattle Totems - 23 total

POWER PLAYS:

Missoula Maulers - 2 for 13
Seattle Totems - 1 for 8

GOALTENDERS:

#1 Sebastian Gronborg for Missoula Maulers: 55:49 Minutes played, 22 shots on goal 20 saves

#31 Cody Janzen for Missoula Maulers: 4:11 Minutes played, 1 shot on goal 1 save

#30 Eli Alyakin for Seattle Totems: 60 Minutes played, 49 shots on goal 43 saves

ATTENDANCE:

1,969 Hockey Fans!!!

Missoula Crushes Seattle with a 5-1 Win, Pollon Records Hat Trick

What a game! Your Missoula boys blew the Totems out of the GIR last night with a final score of 5-1 and are on an absolute hot streak going into the playoffs. These boys are playing hard, they are playing strong, and they are playing at the top of their game. Instead of letting the the Seattle players get to them while they were out chirping and throwing around dirty hits, the Zoo Town boys stayed focused and alert to the more important things on the ice; where the puck was and how many times it was finding the back of the net. I am unbelievably proud of these boys and is it fantastic to see them playing at their absolute best. The Maulers were out there knowing that they were the best team and confident enough to know that they were taking home the win. Compared to earlier in the season, the boys had a goal, knew what they had to do to reach that goal, and took destiny into their own hands. They out-skated the Totems and they showed everyone in that rink that they are ready to take on the Junior Steelheads. Also huge congratulations to rookie Edward Pollon who recorded a hat trick. Way to go!! This season is not about ending an era, this season is about looking at the bright future ahead of them, proving to everyone that they are serious contenders, and that they are willing to fight until the very last minute to show everyone what logo will rule them. I am very proud of you boys, keep up the phenomenal work.

Edward started things off at 7:05 for your Zoo Town boys and an assist was given to Josh Chamberlain. Max Rebholz had the next geno on the scoreboard at 8:33 in the first with assists for Tyler Zandhuisen and Tanner Todd. Pollon put his second point on the board at 9:32. Josh Chamberlain and Josh Ingram-Rehm were credited with the apples. Seattle's Nikolay Mamadzhanov ended the first period  in favor of the Totems with their only goal of the night. Frank Flight and Eric Danna assisted this goal at 17:51

Edward Pollon capped things off for his hat trick at 3:20 into the second period on a power play I might add. Austin Azzinnaro and Josh Chamberlain recorded assists. Nikita Sheptytskyy scored the last goal of the game at 8:19 with apples for Erich Jaeger and Jordan Wheatly on this power play geno.

There were no goals scored in the third.

It deeply saddens me to say that tomorrow is the last regular season home game of the 2013-2014 season. Make sure not to miss the game because it is the last time to see the boys play before September! 7:30 pm MST! Most of these boys have become like family to me and I am going to miss them extremely. Here are some pictures I took of the game!

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Period 1:
Seattle Totems - Connor Smith (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 1:30
Missoula Maulers - Josh Ingram Rehm (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 4:02
Seattle Totems - Matous Jelinek (Kicking Player) (Major) 5 Minutes, 20:00
Seattle Totems - Matous Jelinek (Kicking Player) (Game Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 20:00
Period 2:
Seattle Totems - Connor Smith (Interference) 2 Minutes, 7:18
Seattle Totems - Sergey Kuznetsov (Delay of Game) (Bench Minor) 2 Minutes, 10:56
Seattle Totems - Marcus Triezenberg (Spearing) (Major) 5 Minutes, 10:56
Seattle Totems - Marcus Triezenberg (Spearing) (Game Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 10:56
Missoula Maulers - Max Rebholz (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 14:56
Seattle Totems - Nikolay Mamadzhanov (Holding) 2 Minutes, 14:56
Missoula Maulers - Henrik Ekestahl (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 18:56
Missoula Maulers - Corey Schafer (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 19:49
Period 3:
Missoula Maulers - Cody Janzen (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 4:44
Seattle Totems - Nikolay Mamadzhanov (High Sticking) 2 Minutes, 6:09
Seattle Totems - Frank Flight (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 8:38
Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 8:38
Missoula Maulers - Joey Porco (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 9:33
Seattle Totems - Lucas Walsh (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 9:33
Seattle Totems - Doug Stultz (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 10:14
Missoula Maulers - Joey Porco (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 14:39
Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 16:17
Missoula Maulers - Austin Azzinnaro (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 16:17
Seattle Totems - Doug Stultz (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 16:17
Seattle Totems - Marek Nemec (Roughing) (Double Minor) 4 Minutes, 16:17
Seattle Totems - Marek Nemec (Removing Opponents Helmet) (Game Ejection) 10 Minutes, 16:17
Seattle Totems - Connor Smith (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 19:10
Seattle Totems - Sergey Kuznetsov (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 19:46
Seattle Totems - Piers LaFrance (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 19:46

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 52 total
Seattle Totems - 27 total

POWER PLAYS:

Missoula Maulers - 2 for 10
Seattle Totems - 0 for 5

GOALTENDERS:

#30 Michael Mcdaniel for Missoula Maulers: 23:54 Minutes played, 7 shots on goal 6 saves

#31 Cody Janzen for Missoula Maulers: 36:06 Minutes played, 20 shots on goal 20 saves

#35 Cody Stien for Seattle Totems: 9:32 Minutes played, 14 shots on goal 11 saves

#30 Eli Alyakin for Seattle Totems: 50:28 Minutes played, 38 shots on goal 36 saves

Maulers Bring out Brooms with a 4-1 Win Over Spartans

Bring out your brooms Maulers nation because your hometown team has officially swept the Spartans! They have avenged themselves from being swept in Medford a couple of months ago and now are in full playoff mode as they set to play the team that brought them into the league; the Seattle Totems. I am so thrilled that they won each game and absolutely excited that the playoff horizon is finally visible. There was some time where the forecast was cloudy but the sun is back and the team is feeling good. As we wind down into the frenzy that is junior hockey playoffs, I just want to take a minute and appreciate how strong the boys have been this season. They weathered criticism, doubts, tough opponents, losses, and droughts but they also have climbed higher than anyone originally thought they would, they are going into the post season on a hot streak, and they have become an incredibly strong group of guys in the process. I am most definitely going to miss them when the new roster is announced next season and I have to remember that junior hockey is like a conveyor belt. As each new team is pulled  in front of you, you have to know that they will just get pulled out again and another fresh batch of new faces is here to stay for 8 months. This series was about proving that these boys should be remembered, maybe not for pulling ahead at the start line, but for coming from behind to win it all (Thank you Herb Brooks and Miracle!)  Fantastic performance boys, let's knock Seattle out of the park and stun everyone in McCall!

This game was all about the power plays and lets just call it even because 4 out of the 5 goals were indeed PP genos. Rookie Edward Pollon started everything off for Missoula at 7:05 in the first when Derek Griffin and Joey Porco assisted him on the initial power play goal. At 9:04, Joey Sundgren found the back of the net on a power play with a little help from Anders Nord and Derek Griffin. Nick Beaune of Southern Oregon scored the first and last Spartan goal at 13:48 of the first period. He had assists from Cy Jenson and Ben Henry.

Max Rebholz scored the lone goal in the second period on a power play at 7:34. Josh Chamberlain and Joey Porco recorded the assists.

Jordan Wheatly scored an unassisted goal to end the game in the Maulers' favor at 6:22 in the third.

Congratulations on the win boys now let's go get the Totems! This 2 part series will take place on March 7th and 8th at 7:30 pm MST in the one and only GIR! Bundle up and don't miss the 2 last home games of the season! Here are some pictures I took during the game!

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Period 1:

Southern Oregon Spartans - Cy Jenson (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 3:57

Southern Oregon Spartans - Zachary Lovelace (High Sticking) (Major) 5 Minutes, 5:49

Southern Oregon Spartans - Tyler Lazarek (Head Contact) 2 Minutes, 6:47

Southern Oregon Spartans - John Keyser (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Bench Minor) 2 Minutes, 6:47

Missoula Maulers - John Andersson (Boarding) (Major) 5 Minutes, 13:05

Missoula Maulers - Max Rebholz (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 19:31

Period 2:

Missoula Maulers - Erich Jaeger (High Sticking) 2 Minutes, 1:41

Southern Oregon Spartans - Tyler Spencer (Hooking) 2 Minutes, 6:10

Missoula Maulers - Nikita Sheptytskyy (Interference) 2 Minutes, 11:06

Southern Oregon Spartans - Arturs Buss (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 17:48

Southern Oregon Spartans - Arturs Buss (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 17:48

Missoula Maulers - John Andersson (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 19:35

Period 3:

Missoula Maulers - Max Rebholz (Too Many Men) 2 Minutes, 4:52

Missoula Maulers - Matt Chamberlain (Interference) 2 Minutes, 9:36

Missoula Maulers - John Andersson (Holding) 2 Minutes, 13:08

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 52 total

Southern Oregon Spartans - 32 total

POWER PLAYS: 

Missoula Maulers - 3 for 6

Southern Oregon Spartans - 1 for 8

GOALTENDERS:

#30 Michael Mcdaniel for Missoula Maulers: 60 Minutes played, 32 shots on goal 31 saves

#30 Ian Dvorak for Southern Oregon Spartans: 60 Minutes played, 52 shots on goal 48 saves

Missoula Tops Southern Oregon 5-3, Looks for Sweep

After the second game of the Spartans series, the Missoula Maulers have gained game two in their favor and are looking to sweep Southern Oregon just as the Spartans had several months earlier when Missoula was hosted in Medford. Playing with aggression and strategy, the Zoo Town players are quickly heading up the playing field and are making a name for themselves in an ever changing league. It almost seems that the boys are building up their game in order to create a very strong force, both offensively and defensively, in preparation for their anticipated battle against the Idaho Jr. Steelheads. Missoula is highly benefiting from the last roster additions Joey Sundgren and Jordan Wheatly. The top pairs of Sundgren-Schafer, Andersson-Ekestahl, and Sheptytskyy-Jaeger will be the most effective in the post season due to team chemistry and will be the ones to watch out for seeing as that they almost always record multiple points per game. Gronborg was in the cage last night during the 5-3 win and it is in no doubt that he was a huge asset in the victory. In my opinion, the beginning of the season was rough for the team because they are so comparatively young and had yet to find their footing. This post season will be for making up lost time and gaining some of the respect they have yet to receive. I do honestly believe that if these boys put their minds and their hearts out on the ice every night for their team, they will go places even they didn't think were possible.

Ukrainian rookie Nikita Sheptytskyy was the first to pick up a point in this match for the Maulers at 4:36 on a power play. He had help from Wheatly and Jaeger. The Spartans decided to play a game of catch up when they put 2 points on the board in the middle of the first. Carl Edstrom recorded the first for Southern Oregon at 9:39 on a power play with an assist from Trevor Hillman. Drew Hill had the next Spartan goal at 14:53 with apples for Cy Jenson and Tyler Spencer.

Joey Sundgren scored a geno at exactly 0:55 in the start of the second to produce a 3-2 lead for the Maulers with assists for Henrik Ekestahl and John Andersson. Grizzled veteran Corey Schafer made it 4-2 at 7:47 with help from Austin Azzinnaro and Joey Sundgren.

Trevor Hillman picked up his 2nd personal point of the night for Southern Oregon at 4:54 in the third. Arturs Buss gained the last S.O. assist. Sudgren picked up his 3rd point of the night with the last recorded goal at 18:27. Assists went to Schafer and Andersson.

 This was a great game for Missoula seeing that many of the players received 2 or more points and it bumps up their credibility going into the playoffs. Phenomenal job boys and make sure you don't miss Game #3 on March 1st at 7:30 pm MST. Be safe in these blizzard conditions though if you are in the Missoula area!

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Period 1:
Missoula Maulers - Erik Harzell (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 1:50
Southern Oregon Spartans - Zachary Lovelace (Elbowing) 2 Minutes, 4:24
Southern Oregon Spartans - Zachary Lovelace (Unsportsmanlike Conduct)(Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 4:24
Missoula Maulers - Josh Chamberlain (Hooking) 2 Minutes, 8:19
Southern Oregon Spartans - Arturs Buss (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 12:29
Southern Oregon Spartans - Doug Gutierrez (Elbowing) 2 Minutes, 15:41
Period 2:
Southern Oregon Spartans - Tyler Spencer (Elbowing) 2 Minutes, 16:17
Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 16:17
Missoula Maulers - Matt Chamberlain (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 19:41
Period 3:
Missoula Maulers - Derek Griffin (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 1:49
Southern Oregon Spartans - Tyler Spencer (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 1:49
Southern Oregon Spartans - Doug Gutierrez (Hooking) 2 Minutes, 2:26
Missoula Maulers - Erich Jaeger (Interference) 2 Minutes, 4:14
Southern Oregon Spartans - Nick Beaune (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 4:38
Southern Oregon Spartans - Justus Saldeen (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 13:38

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 37
Southern Oregon Spartans - 27

POWER PLAYS:

Missoula Maulers - 1 for 6
Southern Oregon Spartans - 1 for 4

GOALTENDERS:

#1 Sebastian Gronborg for Missoula Maulers: 60 Minutes played, 27 shots on goal 24 saves

#31 Marco Medina Jr. for Southern Oregon Spartans: 60 Minutes played, 37 shots on goal 32 saves