Pre-Fall Classic Recap

Des Moines - 3 vs Cedar Rapids - 4 SHOOTOUT (at Coralville Mall)

Cedar Rapids started off the scoring in the first with Bryce Aneloski netting the goal. Garrett Vermeersch and Gustav Bengston added regulation goals for the Riders. Taylor Matson, Derek Elliot, and Nate Dewhurst notched goals for the Bucs. In the shootout, Brady Hjelle shined. He allowed one goal on six shots, while Mike Mosher allowed two on six shots. From what I was told, the ice was extremely sloppy from the get go.

My Three Stars:
1. Garrett Vermeersch (CR) - G, A, game winner in the shootout.
2. Taylor Matson (DM) - G, A.
3. Ryan McKiernan (DM) - 2 A.


Waterloo - 4 vs Cedar Rapids - 3 (at Cedar Rapids)

I believe they played two 30 minute halves in this game. Cedar Rapids started off strong, and notched 2 goals to get the early lead. Waterloo came out and dominated, scoring 4 goals and putting 22 shots on Brady Hjelle. Matt DiGiralamo and Joe Howe combined to stop 15 of 18 shots. Scoring for the Hawks were Anthony Schooley, Bret Beebe (2), and Andrew Hamburg. Scoring for the Riders were Ian Slater (2) and Stefan Salituro.

My Three Stars:
1. Andrew Hamburg (WAT) - notched the GWG.
2. Bret Beebe (WAT) - 2 G on the night.
3. Ian Slater (CR) - 2 G on 2 shots.


Chicago - 4 vs Green Bay - 3 (at Green Bay)

Chicago started off scoring a pair, but can't seem to hold onto a lead. They eventually won, but not before giving up a couple of leads to the Gamblers. This game got off to a rocky start from the get go when Chicago's Dan Otto was whistled for checking from behind and a misconduct. Things were relatively calm until the 5:13 mark of the 3rd when the flood gates opened. Ryan Little and Barron Smith decided to drop the mitts and both were removed from the playing surface. Two seconds later, Mark Anthoine and Taylor McReynolds engaged in some fisticuffs. At 6:27, Brian Dowd received a Fighting Misconduct and Barron Smith received a Grabbing Facemask Major. I'm not sure who Smith fought and was kicked out, then received a major a little over a minute later. The fun wasn't over yet, as Chicago's Brian O'Neill received a Cross Checking Major at 9:16. Scoring for the Steel were Andy Miele (2), Timothy Buttery, and Eric Alexander. Scoring for the Gamblers were Taylor McReynolds, Chris Saracino, and Jacob Youso.

My Three Stars:
1. Andy Miele (CHI) - 2 G, A, including the game winner.
2. Aaron Crandall (GB) - 14 saves on 15 shots.
3. Max Nicastro (CHI) - 2 A.


Des Moines - 1 vs Waterloo - 3 (at Waterloo)

Waterloo scored three goals in the first to propel them to a 3-1 victory over Des Moines at Young Arena. Waterloo had goals by Blake Kessel, Chris Forfar, and Chad Billins. Des Moines had a goal from Kyle Bailey. This game was fairly calm, except for the fight between Waterloo's Nick Larson and Des Moines' Andrew Panzarella. Panzarella accounted for 232 PIM last season in the AtlJHL in 41 games as a 16 year old. He will be someone to keep an eye on because he's going to play physical and won't shy away from trading fists. Matt DiGiralamo didn't face many shots in the game, but was pretty good allowing only one goal on 13 shots.

My Three Stars:
1. Matt DiGiralamo (WAT) - Winning goalie, stopped 12 of 13 shots.
2. Chris Forfar (WAT) - notched the GWG.
3. Kyle Bailey (DM) - Scored DM's lone G.


Lincoln - 3 vs Tri-City - 4 SHOOTOUT (at Tranquility Ice Plex)

Lincoln got the scoring started in the 1st, but Tri-City tied it back up in the 2nd. Lincoln put two more on the board to go up two, but the Storm cut that lead in half heading into the 3rd. Tri-City recorded the only goal in the 3rd, forcing the shootout. Lincoln received goals from Ross Henry, Michael Sdao, and Jeff Ceccacci. Tri-City had goals by Alex Hudson (2) and Diederick Hagemeijer. In the shootout, Tri-City's Ian O'Brien was stellar, only allowing a shootout goal to Jared Fester. Kevin Murdock, however, allowed three Storm players out of three to score. Those three were Troy Mattila, Mario Lamoureux, and Mike Cichy. From what I have read, Cichy was one of the best players on the ice.

My Three Stars:
1. Alex Hudson (TC) - 2 G.
2. Ian O'Brien (TC) - 14 saves on 14 shots and 3/4 in the shootout.
3. Mike Henderson (LIN) - 2 A.


Green Bay - 3 vs Chicago - 6 (at Chicago)

After two periods of play, the score was tied at 2 apiece. Chicago came out and owned the 3rd period, scoring four goals. This game was really calm compared to their encounter just a few days prior. Too bad the Chicago pointstreak person was unable to put in the correct SOG for the 1st and 2nd periods. Green Bay had goals by Reed Rushing, Christian Morissette, and first round pick Joe Schiller. Chicago had goals from Drew LeBlanc, Mike Walsh, Brian O'Neill, Corey Chakeen, Dominic Morrone, and Aaron Schmit.

My Three Stars:
1. Mike Walsh (CHI) - 1 G 2 A.
2. Corey Chakeen (CHI) - 1 G 1 A, including the game winner.
3. Drew LeBlanc (CHI) - 1G 1 A.


Waterloo - 2 vs Des Moines - 4 (at Des Moines)

Des Moines got revenge for their previous loss to the Hawks. Waterloo opened the scoring in the 2nd, and jumped out to a 2-0 lead. After that though, it was all Des Moines. The Bucs scored four unanswered en route to the victory. Waterloo and Des Moines both received quality games from both of their goalies. Matt DiGiralamo let in just one goal on 13 shots, while Joe Howe let in two on 14 shots. Joe Rodwell for Des Moines stopped nine of 11 shots and Fredrik Bergman stopped all 20 of the shots he faced. Waterloo had goals by Brett Olson and Jordan Samuels-Thomas. Des Moines received goals from Andrew Blazek, Rody Selk, Ryan Walters, and Chris Knowlton. The Knowlton goal came on a penalty shot.

My Three Stars:
1. Fredrik Bergman (DM) - 20 saves, 0 GA, and the victory.
2. Ryan Walters (DM) - Scored GWG.
3. Jordan Samuels-Thomas (WAT) - G.


Sioux Falls - 3 vs Sioux City - 4 (at Sioux City)

The score doesn't reflect how the game really was. Sioux City had the upper hand in just about every aspect of the game. They made mistakes, but overall they played well for a pre-season contest. Sioux City opened up the scoring in the 1st period, but Sioux Falls tied it up right away to start the 2nd. Stephane Da Costa responded by scoring a pair of goals himself, coming 14 seconds apart. Josh Robinson only faced nine shots, but stopped eight, while Steve Thompson faced 16 shots and stopped 14. Max Strang saw 24 shots and stopped 21, while Eric Hartzell was stellar in net, allowing just one goal on 21 shots.

My Three Stars:
1. Stephane Da Costa (SC) - 2 G.
2. Eric Hartzell (SF) - 20 saves, 1 goal allowed.
3. Alex Tuckerman (SC) - GWG while shorthanded.


Indiana - 3 vs Ohio - 1 (at Newark Ice Arena)

Ohio started off the scoring in the 1st, but that's all they would be able to put behind Indiana's Chris Paliafito. Indiana went on to score three unanswered to secure the victory. Corson Cramer only let in one goal on 11 shots, while Pasquale Terrazano stopped 17 shots. Scoring for Indiana were Gregory Squires, Joe Beaudette, and T.J. Syner. Ohio's lone goal was scored by Dan Hobbs.

My Three Stars:
1. Chris Paliafito (IND) - 33 saves in the victory.
2. Gregory Squires (IND) - G, A. Had the game winner.
3. Joe Beaudette (IND) - G, A.


Lincoln - 2 vs Omaha - 6 (at Omaha)

Omaha scored first and never looked back en route to a 6-2 victory. Kevin Murdock and Nick Hopper each allowed three goals. Shane Madolora stopped 25 for the win. Scoring for Lincoln were Mike Henderson and Brandon Bollig. Scoring for Omaha were Matt Thurber (2), Joe Diamond, Aaron Lewadniuk, Chris Connolly, and Ben Arnt.

My Three Stars:
1. Matt Thurber (OMA) - 2 G, 2 A.
2. Shane Madolora (OMA) - 25 saves in the win.
3. Joe Diamond (OMA) - G, A including the game winner.


Cedar Rapids - 2 vs Waterloo - 1 (at Waterloo)

This game still hasn't gone final on pointstreak, so I'm not sure what's up with that. Waterloo started the scoring in the 1st, but Cedar Rapids secured the victory with two in the final frame. Joe Howe stopped 15 of the 17 shots he faced, while Brady Hjelle was absolutely outstanding in the net, stopping 45 shots. Waterloo scorer was Paul Weisgarber. Cedar Rapids scorers were Ben Lynch and Scott Mathis.

My Three Stars:
1. Brady Hjelle (CR) - 45 saves in the victory.
2. Scott Mathis (CR) - GWG.
3. Joe Howe (WAT) - 7 saves and 0 goals allowed.