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BNIT Day 3 Recap: Minnesota and Wisconsin squads step up, Michigan takes a step back on Saturday

By By Drew Herron, Special to Minnesota Hockey, 04/27/19, 11:15AM CDT

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Wisconsin forward Caden Carlson knocks home a goal from the doorstep late in the second period in Saturday evening's game against North Dakota at Plymouth Ice Center. Photo by Drew Herron

Steady effort pushes Wisconsin Juniors past North Dakota 5-3

The Wisconsin Juniors hung three goals on the board in the first period, then played from ahead the rest of the way in disposing of North Dakota 5-3 in Saturday evening's final game in NIT action.

Barrett Brooks (Stevens Point) scored twice and tallied an assist to lead the way, while pushing his weekend goal total to four. 

Wisconsin also got scoring from Alexander Thundercloud (University School of Milwaukee), Caden Carlson (Fond Du Lac), and Mack Keryluk (Verona). 

After falling behind in the first period, North Dakota put together two quick goals by Peter Loyland (Grand Forks Central) and Joe Heinert (Bismarck) sparked the Green team for a while, but they were not able to catch up with Wisconsin.

In net, Bo Buckley (Notre Dame Academy) stopped 14 of 15 shots during his period-and-a-half of action, and Jacob Mork (Neenah Hortonville Menasha) made 21 saves on 23 shots in the other. 

- Drew Herron

Box Score - Wisconsin 18 vs North Dakota


North Dakota goalie Mathew Schmidt deflects a shot and stops a scoring chance by Wisconsin's CJ Lass.


(ABOVE) The Wisconsin Juniors scored three goals in the first period and never trailed en route to a 5-3 win over North Dakota Saturday night. Photos by Drew Herron


Peter Loyland fires a wrist shot into an open net as North Dakota finds the backdoor wide open in the second period.


Wisconsin Seniors wrap up 3-0 shutout over Michigan Juniors 


Michigan Juniors' forward Seth Lause reaches to hit the airborne puck at the edge of the crease. Photos by Drew Herron

The Wisconsin Seniors battled through early doldrums before taking a late lead while the goaltending tandem of Gavin Abric (Hayward) and Garrett Larsen (Waukesha) combined for the shutout as the Grey squad skated past the Michigan Juniors Saturday afternoon at Plymouth Ice Center.

Following a scoreless opening period, Wisconsin's Dillon Fox (Neenah Hortonville Menasha) opened the scoring midway through the second when he raced in on a breakaway and buried a forehand wrist shot that found the back of the net. 

Wisconsin added another just 33 seconds into the third period when Cole Danielson (Hudson) scored to make it a two-goal game, and provide a bit of breathing room against the hard-charging Michigan Juniors.

The Greys added a third goal with 5:42 left when Cole Danielson converted to make it 3-0.

- Drew Herron

Box Score- Michigan18 vs Wisconsin SRs


Michigan JRs defenseman Lucas Doran plays the body as Wisconsin's Hunter Stracka carries the puck through the neutral zone during the first period. Photo by Drew Herron



Minnesota Juniors goalie Evan Melville stops a scoring chance by Michigan Seniors forward Rylan Clemons during the first period Saturday. Photo by Drew Herron

Gritty goaltending lifts Minnesota Juniors past Michigan Seniors 2-1

The Minnesota Juniors made the most of their offensive opportunities, and goaltenders Hudson Hodges (Moorhead) and Evan Melville (Apple Valley) put up a wall behind them to lift the White squad to a stunning 2-1 victory over the Michigan Seniors Saturday afternoon at Plymouth Ice Center.

Melville made 17 saves on 18 shots through the first period-and-a-half before yielding to Hodges to close out the game. Hodges stopped all 21 shots he faced, including a pair of clutch saves late, to secure the win for Minnesota.

Michigan took an early lead when Austin Adamic (Livonia Stephenson) opened the scoring with 5:49 left in the first period.

Minnesota, however, would answer with a pair of goals in the second when Kyle Heffron (Totino-Grace) and Luc Laylin (St. Michael-Albertville) converted to pull even, then claim the lead for their own. 

Neither side would light the lamp in the third, as Minnesota clamped down to earn its first victory in three tries during pool play. 

- Drew Herron

Box Score - Michigan SRs vs Minnesota 18s


The Minnesota Juniors mob goaltender Hudson Hodges after Hodges' 21 saves helped push the White squad past Michigan Seniors 2-1. Photo by Drew Herron


Minnesota Seniors blank Massachusetts 7-0

The Minnesota Seniors picked up its first victory on the final day of pool play by dispatching Massachusetts 7-0 Saturday morning at Plymouth Ice Center.

Up by a pair of goals after one period, Minnesota skated through the second period before tearing the game open with a five-goal third period. 

Mason Plante (Marshall) led the way for the Gold team, collecting a goal and two assists, while Tanner Mack (East Grand Forks) and Shane Griffin (Lakeville North) each added a pair of points. Griffin scored twice, the game’s first goal at midway through the opening period, then again to start the third.

Also scoring for Minnesota in the victory was; Nico Vega (St. Thomas Academy), Gavin Rasmussen (Cloquet-Esko-Carlton) and Josh Hermes (Centennial). 

In net, Brennan Boynton (Champlin Park) played the whole game and earned the shutout by stopping 18 shots. 

-Drew Herron

Boxscore - Minnesota SRs vs Massachusetts


The Gold team consisting of Minnesota Seniors celebrates a first period goal by Gavin Rasmussen. Minnesota defeated Massachusetts 7-0 to finish pool play with a 2-1 record. Photo by Drew Herron


Minnesota Seniors forward Nico Vega is denied a scoring chance by Massachusetts goaltender Jack Gatie late in the second period. Photo by Drew Herron