It’s WEEK TWENTY-THREE of the Eagle River Hockey League, and this is the AAA recap.

Jalapenos vs. Pizza Man

On Wednesday 3-14-18, Pizza Man defeated Jalapenos 3-2 at the MAC. Pizza Man’s Jake Thompson put the first score up with Kyler Quinn and Dominic Thompson on the delivery. A slashing penalty on Quinn, set up a Jalapeno power play. Seth Kollman scored on the power play assisted by Evan Kingrea and Karl Hanson. With :09 remaining in the first, Brandon Hall put Pizza Man back up 2-1, assisted by Dominic Thompson and Quinn. In the second, Jalapenos’ Eric Jensen evened the score 2-2, assisted by Pete McEnaney.  Jake Thompson, assisted by Hall, combined for Pizza Man’s winning goal with 3:05 remaining in the third. Gary Hanson had 29 saves off 31 shots for AAA second-place Pizza Man (11-9-3). Buck Wicks recorded 17 saves off 20 shots for first-place Jalapenos (17-3-3).

Garcias vs. Homesteaders

Garcias managed to keep their sweaters on in a 5-2  win over the Homesteaders where 13 penalties were handed down amongst the two teams (Garcia’s with four and Homesteaders, nine).  In first period action, Homesteaders Ryan Frey scored at 8:20 in the gongshow, assisted by Ryan Bowdish. Garcias had a shorty when Blake Brazil scored off an assist from Matt Guerts and Jesse Frechione. Mike Viens scored off a Ben Morse assist to close out the first with Garcia’s up 2-1. Both teams traded goals in the second with Homesteaders Taylor Garner going unassisted and Garcia’s Chris Harrington taking a dish from Kenny Holmberg for the 3-2 tally.  The third period tale of the tape were two unanswered Garcia goals. Morse went unassisted at 14:15 followed by a power player score with 4:25 remaining, where, once again, Brazil teamed up with Guerts for the final 5-2 margin of victory. Joey Lindquist recorded 20 saves on 18 shots for Garcias (6-15-2). Adam Vogel had 16 stops on 21 shots for the Homesteaders (6-13-4).