The 2022 Robertson Cup playoffs began this Friday. Catch up on all the action from the opening games, a perfect prep for a full slate of games Saturday.
Past Champions
2021 : Shreveport Mudbugs
2020 : Canceled due to Covid-19
2019 : Aberdeen Wings
2018 : Shreveport Mudbugs
2017 : Lone Star Brahmas
2016 : Fairbanks Ice Dogs
2015 : Minnesota Wilderness
Central Division Semi-Finals
#1 St. Cloud Norsemen vs #4 Bismarck Bobcats
Regular Season Records
St Cloud Norsemen : 41-16-3
Bismarck Bobcats : 29-27-4
St Cloud showed its depth in game 1, defeating the Bobcats 4-1 to open the series, powered by a 2 goal performance by Northern Michigan commit ‘02 Blake Perbix. The Norsemen entered the series on a tear, going 3-2-2 since the beginning of March, and 9-1 in their last 10.
St Cloud’s ‘01 Ryan O’Neil has been a force all year, and will only continue to heat up as the playoffs move forward. The St Thomas commit finished the regular season leading all players in points with 30 goals and 50 assists in 57 games.
Do not sleep on Bismarck though. The Bobcats went 20-9-1 in their last 30 games of the regular season, and battled into the playoffs. On a dramatic final weekend against Minot, the Bobcats would force a winner-take-all final game of the season, after defeated Minot 2-1 to open the weekend. Bismarck would defeated Minot 5-1 behind captain ‘03 Patrick Johnson’s 2 goal, 1 assist performance to claim the 4th seed.
Can St Cloud take a commanding 2-0 lead at home? A win for Bismarck before going home could make this series a must watch for an upset.
Game Schedule
Game 1: 4.22 @ St. Cloud - St Cloud 4-1
Game 2: 4.23 @ St. Cloud
Game 3: 4.29 @ Bismarck
Game 4: 4.30 @ Bismarck*
Game 5: 5.2 @ St. Cloud*
*if necessary
#2 Austin Bruins vs. #3 Aberdeen Wings
Regular Season Records
Austin Bruins: 31-23-6
Aberdeen Wings : 31-24-5
A 4 goal 3rd period, started by 2 goals by Quinnipiac commit ‘02 Seamus Campbell, would lead the Wings to gain the early lead in the series. Robert Morris commit ‘01 Dominic Schimizzi would net the game winner late in the 3rd, with some patient dangles after being found alone in front.
Separated by just a point during regular season, and an average lead margin in their 6 regular season matchups of just 1.5, this series will be tight to the end.
Austin entered the 3rd up 2-0, but managed just 16 shots on net vs Aberdeen’s 28. Look for the Bruins to get their offensive game going in game 2 Saturday night.
Game Schedule
4.22 @ Austin - Aberdeen 4-2
4.23 @ Austin
4.29 @ Aberdeen
4.30 @ Aberdeen*
5.2 @ Austin*
*if necessary
East Division Semi-Finals
#1 New Jersey Titans vs. #4 Northeast Generals
Regular Season Records
New Jersey Titans : 41-16-3
Northeast Generals : 35-24-1
A great start for the #4 seed Northeast Generals, who took game 1 Friday night in New Jersey 4-1, despite going 0-8 on the powerplay.
‘02 Jared Scott opened the scoring for the Generals late in the first, and they would never trail after that. St Lawrence commit ‘02 David Andreychuk finished with 2 goals and 6 shots.
The Titans went 8-0 in March to clinch the top spot in the east, but dropped its final, regular season weekend to the Generals. Craig Doremus’ group will look to respond in game 2 Saturday night on home ice.
April 22 @ New Jersey - Generals 4-1
April 23 @ New Jersey, 7:00pm
April 29 @ Northeast, 7:00pm
April 30 @ Northeast, 7:00pm*
May 1 @ New Jersey, 7:00pm*
*if necessary
#2 Johnstown Tomahawks vs. #3 Jamestown Rebels
Regular Season Records
Johnstown Tomahawks : 34-20-6
Jamestown Rebels : 35-22-3
This series looks to be a must watch, with game 1 going to double OT before Jamestown’s ‘02 Kolby Amici played the hero, getting to middle ice on a 1-1 and beating Johnstown goaltender, ‘02 Matthew O’Donnell glove side.
Both teams entered the playoffs on the right foot, with Johnstown going 7-3, and Jamestown 9-1 in their final 10 regular season games. Jake Black finished game 1 with just 4 shots. The rookie leader in points, and league leader in goals during the regular season will be a key for Johnstown moving forward.
Black, a UConn commit, finished the season with 41 goals and 28 assists in 60 games.
Game Schedule
April 22 @ Johnstown - Jamestown 2-1 (2OT)
April 23 @ Johnstown
April 28 @ Jamestown
April 30 @ Jamestown*
May 1 @ Johnstown*
*if necessary
Midwest Division Semi-Finals
#1 Fairbanks Ice Dogs vs. #4 Minnesota Wilderness
Regular Season Records
Fairbanks Ice Dogs : 37-20-3
Minnesota Wilderness : 35-23-2
Kayden Hargraves was impressive in net for Fairbanks, as the Ice Dogs would take game 1 Friday night 3-2 in OT. The ‘02 Hargraves, a product of the NAPHL and NA3HL, faced 37 shots, making 35 saves, including 21 shots in the second period alone.
‘02 Jacob Conrad would open the scoring in the first, followed by 2 Minnesota goals late in the 2nd and 3rd. ‘01 Tyler Stewart would tie the game with under a minute left in the 3rd, before Michigan commit ‘01 Brendan Miles played the hero, scoring early into overtime on the penalty kill.
Game Schedule
4.22 @ Fairbanks - Fairbanks 3-2 (OT)
4.23 @ Fairbanks
4.29 @ Wilderness or 4.24 @ Fairbanks
4.29 or 4.30 @ Wilderness*
4.30 or 5.1 @ Wilderness*
*if necessary
#2 Springfield Jr. Blues vs. #3 Anchorage Wolverines
Regular Season Records
Springfield Jr Blues : 36-20-4
Anchorage Wolverines : 33-19-8
Ethan Roberts stood tall for Springfield in game 2, as Anchorage came out flying, totaling 61 shots, and 43 through 2 periods alone. Entering the 3rd after a late 2nd period goal to tie the game at 1-1, Springfield looked to possibly have the momentum.
But ‘02 Kory Diponio would give Anchorage the lead about halfway through the second, and they would hang on to take game 2, 2-1.
A player to keep an eye on is Talon Sigurdson, a goal scorer in game 1, and had 1 assist with 6 shots in game 2. The 6’2”, Arizona State commit finished second in rookie goals and 4th in rookie points during the regular season.
With a commanding 2-0 lead, can Anchorage finish of the Jr Blues?
Game Schedule
4.21 @ Springfield - Anchorage 2-1
4.22 @ Springfield - Anchorage 2-1
4.24 @ Springfield or 4.29 @ Anchorage
4.29 or 4.30 @ Anchorage*
4.30 or 5.1 @ Anchorage*
*if necessary
South Division Semi-Finals
#1 Lone Star Brahmas vs. #4 Shreveport Mudbugs
Regular Season Records
Lone Star Brahmas : 38-12-10
Shreveport Mudbugs : 34-21-5
Game 1 went to Lone Star, in a tight 1-0 win. ‘01 Logan Tobias scored the only goal before the halfway point of the first period on the powerplay.
Lone Star entered the post season on a 9-1 run, but this series will be tight to the end. 5 of 13 regular season matchups between the Mudbugs and Brahmas went to extra time, and 9 with lead margins of 2 goals or less.
Game Schedule
4.22 @ Lone Star - Lone Star 1-0
4.23 @ Lone Star
4.29 @ Shreveport
4.30 @ Shreveport*
5.2 @ Lone Star*
*if necessary
#2 New Mexico Ice Wolves vs. #3 Wichita Falls Warriors
Regular Season Records
New Mexico Ice Wolves : 38-17-5
Wichita Falls Warriors : 35-17-8
2-2 after the 1st, and 3-3 after the second, Game 1 was up for grabs in the third period, and Air Force commit ‘01 Carter Korea found the elusive, deciding goal about half way through the 2nd.
A tough loss for New Mexico, who threw 45 shots on net vs 25 from the Warriors. Wichita Falls entered the series outscoring New Mexico 9-3 in their final weekend, and going 8-2 in their final 10 games.
Saturday’s matchup before heading home could be a pivotal game for Wichita Falls.
Game Schedule
4.22 @ New Mexico - Wichita Falls 4-3
4.23 @ New Mexico
4.29 @ Wichita Falls
4.30 @ Wichita Falls*
5.2 @ New Mexico*
*if necessary