NAPHL thrills on Day 2 of event in Blaine
The fourth NAPHL event of the 2020-21 season continued on Saturday at the Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota. Saturday's action saw games in the Tier 1 West Division, the Showcase Division and also the NAPHL Fall League Playoffs.
Now in its 12th season, no other USA Hockey youth league does more for its players than the NAPHL. Operated by the full-time staff of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), who make it their mission to outperform others both on and off the ice in promoting its players. The NAPHL has proved over the years that the league is a great stepping-stone for development and training for young hockey players looking to gain experience and knowledge to work their way up to the National level.
If you are attending the event this weekend at the Super Rink, there are several reminders and policies that are designed to keep everyone safe and on the ice:
- There is no admission fee for this event
- Only two spectators per player per game
- Masks are required (except on the ice)
- Maintain social distancing
- Players are to come dressed and may enter 15 minutes prior to game time
- Players must take hockey bags to bench and take skates off on bench post game. (No Locker Room Access)
- Spectators allowed to enter facility only at the posted game time
- Merchandise will be on sale in upstairs lobby outside of Rink 4
- No lingering and please leave the facility at the end of the game
- Wash and sanitize hands
For those who will not be attending, all NAPHL games will be broadcast live on HockeyTV by selecting the Elite Package.
Download the NAHL App to keep up to date with NAPHL scores (iOS - Google Play)
Day 2 Recaps
18U Tier 1 West Division: In the opening day of play for the 18U Tier 1 West, the Arizona Bobcats picked up their second NAPHL win of the season with a 3-2 win over the West Coast Renegades as Stephen Gilson made 22 saves. The Ontario Jr. Reign also won their second PHL game by beating the Northwest Stars, 3-1 as Sam Peterson made 36 saves. Bennett Turley scored twice as the Colorado Springs Tigers took down Shattuck St. Mary’s, 4-3 in a shootout. Shattuck got their revenge in the evening by taking down Arizona, 5-2.
16U Tier 1 West Division: The Arizona Bobcats got two goals from Daniel O’Reilly as they picked up their first PHL win of the season as they beat Ontario, 5-3. The Northwest Stars moved into 1st place in the West with a 4-3 win over Madison as Brendan Johnson netted the game-winner. Drew Elwell had a hat-trick as the Colorado Springs Tigers beat the West Coast Renegades, 3-2. In the nightcaps, the Renegades got revenge with a 2-1 shootout win over Madison. The Northwest Stars got back to winning thanks to a 4-1 win over Arizona as Noah Norton made 13 saves. The Tigers kept their winning ways going as Elwell again had a big game with two goals and two assists in a 7-2 win over Ontario.
16U Fall League: It was a busy second day for the 16U Fall League Playoffs. In Division 1, the Janesville Jets and Minnesota Magicians advanced to the Semi-Finals on Sunday. The Jets finished with a 2-0-1 record in the round-robin thanks to an OT loss to the Wilderness and a 3-1 win over the Magicians. The Magicians secured their spot in the Semi’s with a 6-2 win over the Wilderness in the morning, then fell to the Jets in the evening. In the other half of the bracket, the Chippewa Steel dominated Division 2 with a 3-0 record, outscoring their opponents 21-4. Luke McCarthy led the way with eight points in three games. The MHA Mudbugs finished in 2nd place and advanced to the Semi-Finals thanks to a 4-1 win in the morning over Kenai River. The Southern Minnesota Bears with face Fairbanks in the 4th place match-up, while Kenai River and the Wilderness will play in the 3rd place match-up.
18U Fall League: The MHA Mudbugs cruised to a 3-0 round-robin record, securing the top spot in Division 1 and moving onto the Semi-Finals. Bret Beale led the way with six points and Seth Ferguson had five. The Janesville Jets secured the second Semi-Final spot with a 2-1 record. The Minnesota Magicians finished with a 1-2 record and will play in the 3rd place game, while the Southern Minnesota Bears finished in 4th place with a 0-2-1 record. In Division 2, the Minnesota Wilderness finished in the top spot and moved onto the Semi-Finals thanks to a win over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Saturday night. With the loss, the Ice Dogs still moved into the Semi-Finals, finishing in 2nd place with a 2-1 record. Chippewa Falls finished in 3rd place and the Magicians Elite finished in 4th place.
14U Showcase Division: The Anaheim Jr. Ducks and Houston Wild kept their perfect event going, each with a win on Saturday. William Lloyd leads the Ducks with 8 points in three games. The Wild have gotten four goals from Nikita Ilichev. The Rose City Pats won the night cap over the previously unbeaten Ontario Jr. Reign to move their record to 3-1. The Dallas Penguins and Park City Ice Miners each have five points, while the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights and Arizona Bobcats are still looking for their first wins.
16U Showcase Division: in the 16U Showcase Division, the Affton Americans and Chesterfield Falcons remained dominant in the CSDHL Conference, both with 3-0 records. Affton has outscored their opponents 25-3 in three games. Chesterfield has outscored their opponents 17-2 as Connor Williamson has led the way with eight points. In the National Conference, the Dallas Penguins and Park City Ice Miners are both 3-0 after two days. Miles McGarvey had four goals for the Penguins, while Park City has been led by the goaltending duo of Leonardo Dries and Sally Sweeney. The Littleton Hawks, Clearwater Ice Storm and Anaheim Jr. Ducks all sit a game back at 2-1.
18U Showcase Division: Parker Fromin led the Littleton Hawks to another win on Saturday as he posted a shutout in a 3-0 win. The Tri Valley Blue Devils and Texas Tigers also moved their record to 3-0 with wins on Saturday. Ryan Coultrip and Matt Ivanov are leading the Blue Devils, while Seth Dragojevic is leading the way for Texas with six points. The Clearwater Ice Storm, Affton Americans and Cherry Creek all are within striking distance with just one regulation loss to date.
