The final four teams are set for Blaine, MN, with games beginning Friday at 4:30. Check out notes on top skaters and each projected starting goaltender.
Austin Bruins vs Maryland Black Bears
How they got here
Maryland has looked very strong as the #1 seed out of the East, defeating Northeast in 3 games and Maine in 4. The Bruins were also their top seed, out of the Central Division, and defeated #4 Minot in 3 games before closing out the #3 seed St Cloud in 4 games.
Austin
RD 1 - Austin Defeated Minot 3-0
RD 2 - Austin Defeated St. Cloud 3-1
Maryland
RD 1 - Maryland Defeated Northeast 3-0
RD 2 - Maryland Defeated Maine 3-1
Players to watch
Branden Piku - ‘02 Forward - Maryland Black Bears
The Lake Superior commit is having an unbelievable Robertson Cup playoff accumulating 12 points in 7 games. Piku has been a threat 5 on 5 and on the power play really driving the Maryland offensive attack. Pucks are gravitating towards him and his offensive awareness is putting him in percentage scoring areas regularly.
Gunnar VanDamme - ‘02 Defensemen - Maryland Black Bears
VanDamme has found an offensive spark this post season as he has netted four goals, surpassing his regular season total of 3. VanDamme has been a pivotal part of the Maryland's defensive core providing depth to a deep blue line. The Anchorage commit has the ability to match up against his opponents' top forward groups.
Austin Salani - ‘03 Forward - Austin Bruins
Salani has been consistent all playoff season and has shown the ability to take over games offensively. He has three multi point games, including a hat trick in game 3 vs Minot. Salani, a Dartmouth commit has the size and awareness that will make him a hard match up for the Blackbear defensive core.
James Goffredo - ‘03 Defensemen - Austin Bruins
A vital piece to the Bruins blueline, Goffredo brings an offensive spark that the Bruins will need vs the Blackbears. The UMass-Lowell commit is one of the most dangerous players in the NAHL and has the ability to drive the play. His ability to find the shooting lanes and get pucks to the net are very high end.
Goaltenders
Trent Wiemken - ‘04 Goaltender - Austin Bruins
The young netminder has played this postseason like a three-year vet in the league posting a 93.2 save percentage with 1.65 GAA. Wiemken has shown the ability to make timely saves and control the game with ease. He has been eliminating second and third chances very well. When the play has broken down this season in front of him, he has shown the athleticism to battle for pucks.
William Hakansson - ‘03 Goaltender - Maryland Black Bears
Hakansson has struggled at times this post season but has done enough to win games for Maryland. The Lake Superior Commit has posted a 90.7 save percentage and a 2.34 GAA this post season. Hakansson will be tested by a high powered offensive attack and he will have to be more consistent for Maryland to advance.
Prediction
Maryland will pose some difficulties for the Austin Bruins as the Black Bears are a physical team up front with firepower. Austin has the speed and high-end skill that will push the Black Bears defensive core to their limits. The real difference in the two teams is in the net, if Wiemken keeps playing at this high-level Maryland will have a hard time finding the back of the net. Wiemken will be the difference maker in a very tight series.
Austin wins series 2-1
Oklahoma Warriors vs Minnesota Wilderness
How they got here
The Warriors reach Blaine as the #1 seed out of the South, sweeping Amarillo before taking down #2 Shreveport in another clean sweep. Minnesota, the #2 seed out of the Midwest, also swept their opening round vs Kenai River before defeating the #1 seed Wisconsin in 4 games.
Oklahoma
RD 1 - Oklahoma Defeated Amarillo 3-0
RD 2 - Oklahoma Defeated Shreveport 3-0
Minnesota Wilderness
RD1 - Minnesota Defeated Kenai River 3-0
RD2 - Minnesota Defeated Wisconsin 3-1
Players to watch
Drew Sutton - ‘03 Forward - Oklahoma Warriors
Scoring in every game this post season, the Union Commit has accumulated 11 points in 6 games this post season. Sutton is playing with a ton of confidence off the rush as he has been able to not only find the back of the net with ease but has shown the play making ability that the Union coaching staff is so excited about.
Cole Teleki - ‘02 Defensemen - Oklahoma Warriors
Heading to Lindenwood next fall, Teleki has really rounded out his game this season. Throughout the post season he has shown the ability to contribute offensively from the back end, specifically with his first pass that sparks the transition game. As a forward he is the type of defensemen you do not want to be matched up against.
Kevin Marx Noren - ‘02 Forward - Minnesota Wilderness
The 20-year-old has been a consistent scorer this post season netting 5 goals in 7 games. He has been relied upon heavily up front and has shown the willingness to fire the puck on net. He will most likely face a difficult defensive match up vs Oklahoma and will have to find creative ways to produce offense in the semifinal series.
Gustav Ozolins - ‘03 Defensemen - Minnesota Wilderness
A Bemidji State commit, Ozolins has been a reliable defender for the Wilderness all year and will be tasked with defending Oklahoma's top offensive units. Ozolins is a mature defender who plays an efficient game that is typically mistake free. One of the most reliable defenders in the NAHL, he will be a big part of the Wilderness success if they advance.
Goaltenders
Isak Posch - ‘02 Goaltender - Minnesota Wilderness
The St. Cloud commit has been close to perfect this post season for the Wilderness. Through 7 games played he has posted a 1.42 GAA and a 95.2 save percentage turning away 198 shots on 208 shots. At 6'3 he is the prototype size and his technique makes him hard to beat. Oklahoma will have to get to the net front regularly to affect his sight lines and reading of the play if they plan on having success offensively in the series.
Daniel Duris - ‘03 Goaltender - Oklahoma Warriors
Since stepping in game 3 vs Amarillo, Duris has only given up 3 goals in 4 games. Duris has been helped by some impressive defensive play from the Oklahoma defenders, but has stayed focus during long stretches of inactivity. His ability to make the big save at least once a game has been a huge part of the Oklahoma success. In Game 3 vs Shreveport, Duris turned away 44 of 45 shots to seal the series victory.
Prediction
Oklahoma will be hard match up for the Wilderness as the Warriors are a deep group that protects their own end very well. In order for Minnesota to have success they will have to use their team speed to open Oklahoma up in the transition game. Posch will need to keep playing at the same level and not wear down in a short 3 game series. In the end Oklahoma's depth and heaviness will be too much for the Wilderness.
Oklahoma wins series 2-1
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