Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Springfield Jr. Blues defeated the Michigan Warriors in a shootout 2-1 (1-0 SO).
The two teams needed 18 turns to complete the shootout.
Springfield's Stefanos Lekkas was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 38 saves and let only one puck past him. The solid play of Lekkas will be reflected in his goals against average, which pre-game was 2.24.
The Jr. Blues' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three Michigan power plays. Springfield relied on a core group of players for most of its offense, as Nick Belger, Joshua Lammon and Patrick Curry took 11 of the team's 19 shots.
The Jr. Blues were led by Oliver Takacsi-Nagy, who had one goal. Takacsi-Nagy scored on the power play 16:19 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Springfield. Springfield had gained a power play chance when Mitchell Wedding was whistled for high sticking. Brendan Jacques provided the assist. Other players who recorded assists for Springfield were Mike Severson, who had one.
Michigan forced the Jr. Blues goalie Lekkas to work between the pipes, taking 39 shots.
The Warriors were led by Jon Farkas, who scored the team's only goal. Farkas scored 1:34 into the third period to make the score 1-1. Scott Cuthrellpicked up the assist.
Springfield incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Michigan's Dillion Kelley stopped 17 shots out of the 18 that he faced. The Warriors incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors.
