NAPHL Rewind, Day 2 in Blaine
September 22, 2018
NAPHL Day 2 Recap
The NAPHL continued its 10th anniversary season with games at the 18U, 16U and 15U levels during the 2018 NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN. The teams begin their push for the Dixon Cup with four days of games at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine in front of more than 300+ scouts attending the Showcase.
The action continues on Saturday, September 22nd on Day 3 of the event. All games will be broadcast live through HockeyTV, the official broadcast provider of the NAPHL.
Helpful Showcase Links:
Arenas (Super Rink - Fogerty)
18U
FLEISHER THE FLASH: After stealing the show with a hat-trick in his team’s opening game yesterday, Lake Tahoe forward Jonah Fleisher starred again with a pair of tallies in the win over the Wenatchee Wolves, including the game-winner. Fleisher now boasts five goals in two games, which leads all 18U skaters and ties him for first in points.
LIGHT IT UP: There was not exactly a shortage of goals on Friday, but the game between the TPH Thunder and Esmark Stars featured a pair of highly potent offenses netting at least five goals apiece. Esmark led 3-1 after the first 20 minutes before TPH stormed back to level scores at three apiece heading into the third period. The teams then erupted for a combined six goals in that frame, with TPH’s Brig Neuhold completing a hat-trick to lead his team to a 7-5 win in the high-scoring affair.
BOUNCING BACK: After dropping their opening contests, four 18U NAPHL teams found their way back into the “W” column with victories in day two. The Sioux Falls Power, Valley Forge Minutemen, Madison Capitols and Everett Silvertips each climbed back to .500, notching a combined 13 goals after lighting the lamp just six times collectively across their day one defeats.
16U
TOP OF THE CLASS: Seven 16U NAPHL kept a perfect record through two games. The Alaska Oilers, Sioux Falls Power, Everett Silvertips, Esmark Stars, Arizona Bobcats, Nashville Jr. Predators and Colorado Springs Tigers each boast a pair of victories, outscoring their opponents a combined 69-21 in that span. Esmark’s defense has starred, shutting out its opponents in both games, while Alaska’s 18 goals set the pace for the rest of the attacking groups.
TEAM EFFORT: The aforementioned Oilers have earned their success not on the back of a superstar, but with contributions coming from throughout the lineup. Sixteen of Alaska’s 18 skaters (not including goalies) have registered at least a point through two games, and 14 have found the scoresheet two or more times.
15U
CAN’T TOUCH THIS: Gentry Academy have been nothing short of dominant in two games thus far, netting 27 goals for and a lone tally against in that span, and boast the top five league-wide point-getters on their roster. Led by Chaz (8g-8a-16pts) and Cruz Lucius (2g-9a-11pts), Gentry has owned the competition with help from Bennett Schimek (5g-5a-10pts), Jack Harvey (3g-4a-7pts) and Nick Sajevic (2g-3a-5pts).
ALUMNI ON DISPLAY: The leading scorer in the NAPHL's 15U division last season, Daniyal Dzhaniyev, was back at the event in Blaine, only this time he was with the NTDP 17-Team, who are playing NAHL teams in the event. Dzhaniyev and Team USA, who compete full-time in the USHL, edged the NAHL's Northeast Generals, 4-3 on Friday night.
