Toros Punch Playoff Ticket with Shootout Win
Willmar 4 @ Mason City 5: A wild game in Mason City saw the Toros come away with a 5-4 victory in the shootout and clinch a spot in the Fraser Cup playoffs. David Loahr and Nolan Christy scored in the first six minutes for the Toros to give them a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Miles Berg and Loahr added to lead to make it 4-0 in favor of the Toros not even halfway into the contest. Then things started to turn. Luke McCarthy and Tootoo Fotheringham scored in the final minutes of the middle frame to bring the score to 4-2. Then McCarthy and Gavin Simon found the back of the net to tie the game at four and force overtime. After a scoreless fourth period, we went to a shootout where Luke Robertson scored the only goal of the skills competition to put Mason City into the win column and the playoffs. Drew Blake stopped 23 shots en route to getting the win in goal for the Toros. Josh Mack started the game for Willmar and made 14 saves while Kai Girard stopped all 23 shots he faced in relief and was dealt the tough loss.
Great Falls 4 @ Badlands 2: Dmitri Kuleshov and Sebe Perez each scored twice as the Great Falls Americans doubled up the Badlands Sabres by a score of 4-2. Cal Laggis also had two points in the victory for the Americans. Zach Vockler and Brooks Roaldson each tallied goals for the Sabres. Kaden Ryhder was the winner in goal as he made 35 saves while Eaton Eriksmoen denied 28 of the 31 shots he faced.