Nordiques Split in Rochester, Lock up first round bye
The Maine Nordiques headed to Rochester, New York to take on the Americans for a two game set. With a win, the Nordiques would lock up at least second place and a first round best of 3 bye.
Friday:
Both teams got out to a 0-0 deadlock after the first period thanks to some key saves from Tommy Heaney. In the second period Jake Bernadet would open the scoring. The Americans would respond to tie the game up at 1. The Nordiques would respond with a goal from Nils Forselius to take the lead before the Amerks would tie it up again at 2 after the second.
In the third period it was the Amerks setting the tone early with a goal 52 seconds in. The Americans would add another with 7 minutes left before Nils added his second of the game but it was too little too late in a 4-3 win for the Americans.
Saturday:
The Nordiques looking for a key victory got off to a back and forth battle with the Americans as Carter Richardson made some key saves early. 13 minutes into the first frame Laurent Trepanier got the Nordiques on the board with seventh of the season to make it 1-0 Nordiques. In the second period the Americans got on the board to tie it up midway into the period. After a tie through two periods, the third period started with an Americans goal to give them the lead. After ten minutes of play, Zion Green found the twine quickly followed by Tomek Haula to give the Nordiques a one goal lead. With their goalie pulled however, the Americans found the back of the net and tied up the game with 14 seconds left to force overtime. In the overtime frame it was a chaotic extra five minutes of hockey as Carter Richardson had to make a save on a penalty shot in OT before Luke Chappelle got a great pass from Jake Bernadet on his stomach to put it home to give the Nordiques a overtime victory!
The Nordiques have 3 games left on their regular season ledger as they will take on the New Jersey Titans Friday April 5th, Saturday the 6th and will then Head to Sewell NJ to take on the Rebels on Sunday at 2pm to conclude their regular season