The Soo Eagles and Jamestown Ironmen will be fighting for the North Division’s spot in next month’s Robertson Cup. The winners of the Central, South and West Divisions will also secure a spot. All games are best-of-five series.

The Central Division final is set as the 1-seed Austin Bruins will take on the 2-seed Bismark Bobcats starting on Friday night. In the South Division Final, the 1-seed Amarillo Bulls will face defending Robertson Cup Champions, and 3-seed Texas Tornado, starting on Thursday. In the West Division Final, the top seeded Wenatchee Wild will face the 2-seeded Fairbanks Icedogs.

The four division winners will face off in the 2013 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament will be held from May 10-13, 2013 at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas, and for the first time in 10 years, will be hosted by the NAHL and not a member team.  The Robertson Cup crowns the NAHL’s playoff champion and also represents USA Hockey’s Tier II Junior National Champion. 

Follow the 2013 Robertson Cup Playoffs at the official site of the Robertson Cup at: http://www.robertsoncup.com

A stellar performance between the pipes by Tyler Marble helped the Soo Eagles defeat the Port Huron Fighting Falcons, 4-1.

After the loss made the series score 2-0 in the best of five series, Port Huron faces elimination next time out.

Soo was paced by Eric Rivard, who racked up one goal. Rivard scored on the power play 11:24 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Soo. The Eagles had gained a power play chance when Ian Miller was whistled for roughing. Robin Hoglund picked up the assist.

The Fighting Falcons were unable to stop Soo from sending pucks towards the net, and the Eagles eventually piled up 37 shots on goal.

Soo additionally got points from Kyle Loridon, who also registered one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Sean Murphy also scored for Soo. In addition, Soo received assists from Cody Von Reuden and Alex Robert, who contributed one a piece.

Port Huron forced Soo goalie Marble to work between the pipes, taking 34 shots.

Other players who recorded assists for Port Huron were Bobby Brown and Rick DeRosa, who each chipped in one.

The Eagles' Marble stopped 33 shots out of the 34 that he faced. Soo totaled 13 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major and went 1-for-6 on the power play. Alex Blankenburg rejected 33 shots on goal for the Fighting Falcons. Port Huron totaled 21 minutes in penalty time with eight minors and one major and went 0-for-2 on the power play.

The Soo Eagles gutted out a close 4-2 win against the Port Huron Fighting Falcons.

No lead was more than two goals during the contest, and the winning goal was scored by Pat Thompson at 6:28 of the second period.

The win gave Soo a 1-0 lead in the best of five series.

Chris Waterstreet was all over the ice for the Eagles, as he grabbed two goals in the win. Waterstreet found the back of the net 7:04 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Soo and again while 14:50 into the second to make the score 4-2 Soo.

Soo forced Port Huron goalie Max Milosek to work between the pipes, taking 36 shots.

Alexander Taulien also scored for Soo. Other players who recorded assists for Soo were Pat Gazzillo, Brandon Adams, and Kyle Loridon, who contributed one a piece.

The Fighting Falcons did not rack up many penalties in the contest, totaling just one minor for two minutes in penalty time.

Port Huron was led by Rick DeRosa, who racked up one goal and one assist. DeRosa scored 16:15 into the first period to make the score 2-2. Jonathan Kopacka assisted on the tally. Port Huron also got a goal from Brett DAndrea as well. More assists for Port Huron came via Bobby Brown, who had one.

Tyler Marble made 28 saves for the Eagles on 30 shots. Soo totaled 17 minutes in penalty time with one minor and one major and went 0-for-1 on the power play. Milosek rejected 32 shots on goal for the Fighting Falcons. Port Huron registered zero goals on two power play opportunities.

The winner of the Eagles vs. Fighting Falcons North Division semifinal will face the winner of the other series, between the Jamestown Ironmen and the Kalamazoo Fighting Falcons. That series begins on Thursday and Friday, in Jamestown, N.Y. The Jr. K-Wings were victorious in their North Play-In series against Springfield, 2-0, outscoring the Jr. Blues, 13-1 in the process.  Dates of the best-of-five North Division Finals will be determined at a later date.

In the Central Division, 1-seed Austin will face 4-seed Minot, and 2-seed Bismark will take on 3-seed Brookings, starting on Friday. Both are best-of-five semifinal series.

In the West Division, 1-seed Wenatchee will face 4-seed Fresno, and 2-seed Fairbanks will take on 3- seed Kenai River, starting on Friday. Both are best-of five semifinal series.

In the South Division, 1-seed Amarillo and 4-seed Corpus Christie are knotted at 1-1 in their best-of-five semifinal series. Defending Robertson Cup Champion and 3-seed Texas is up 2-0 in their best-of-five semifinal series against 2-seed Topeka.

The four division winners will face off in the 2013 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament will be held from May 10-13, 2013 at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas, and for the first time in 10 years, will be hosted by the NAHL and not a member team.  The Robertson Cup crowns the NAHL’s playoff champion and also represents USA Hockey’s Tier II Junior National Champion. 

The 37th regular season of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) comes to a close this weekend. With playoff spots, and in one case, a division title still at stake, it should make for an exciting an entertaining weekend.  As always, all games across the NAHL can be viewed live on FASTHockey.

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By Randy Russon – Miki Media

Goaltending is a passion for good guy Bill Vanderleest.

The 61-year old Sault Ste. Marie resident crosses the International Bridge several times a week for practices and games in his role as volunteer goaltender coach for the Soo Eagles of the North American Hockey League.

Vanderleest, who works full time in the real estate industry as a representative for Castle Realty and in property management for Fleming and Smith, has been a goaltender at heart since he was a youngster growing up in the Fort William section of Thunder Bay.

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