Blaine Minnesota| 5/20/22 | Isaac Smoldon
Raythan Robbins would have to make 48 saves in game one of the Robertson Cup semifinal round, before the overtime game winner would be scored. But when Jackson Reineke’s shot went into the back of the St. Cloud Norsemen’s net, his team would celebrate a 2-1-win, despite being outshot 49-21. Anchorage now sits just one win away from advancing to the winner-take-all Robertson Cup Championship game.
The Wolverines were able to score the first of the contest, with Colton Friesen potting his fifth of the playoffs 10:17 into the opening frame. A bad bounce of Robbins tied the game a minute later however, with Blake Perbix scoring the equalizer for the Norsemen. Perbix’s goal would be the last goal scored in regulation.
Anchorage was grossly outshot throughout the remainder of regulation, with the shots standing at 47-19 after 60 minutes. Robbins made two game saving stops in the third period, coming across the net twice to deny two tap-in St. Cloud goals. The Anchorage netminder ended regulation with 46 saves, and both teams ended the 3rd with one goal apiece.
In overtime, the Norsemen would have two powerplays, but the Wolverines’ penalty kill held them scoreless in extra time. Then, 8:53 into the frame, Hunter Schmitz found himself on a 2-1 with Reineke, who tapped home a one-timer to end the game. Reineke’s shot was just Anchorage’s 21st of the game.
The Wolverines now need just one more win to advance to the Robertson Cup Championship, with game two of the series taking place Saturday at 1:30 PM AKST. Should the series go to a third game, both teams will play Sunday at 12 PM AKST. All games are available to stream live on HockeyTV.com.
