North and Central Win Tight Games on Day 1

Day 1 of the 2010 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament featured 2 very close and tight games as the North Division and Central Division took 1 goal victories against the South and West Divisions as Nick Shkreli of the Traverse City North Stars, while Owatonna Express teammates Cory Thorson and Dan Cecka each had 2 point nights to help their divisions have the early advantage in this year's tournament.

Press Release from the North American Hockey League Website. www.nahl.com

North Division VS. South Division

The North and Central Divisions skated to day 1 wins on the opening day of the Sherwood/NAHL Top Prospects Tournament on Monday at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In the early game, Nick Shkreli (Traverse City North Stars) put home a goal and assisted on RJ Kleiman (Motor City Metal Jackets) game winner as the North Division beat the South Division 3-2. Scott Henegar (Marquette Rangers) tallied the other North Division Goal and Marquette Rangers goalie Kevin Kissaw turned aside 22 shots.

For the South Division, Rock Einersen and Chris Ciotti scored goals just 18 seconds apart from each other late in the 2nd period which at the time gave the South Division a 2-1 lead.

Game Summary

North Division 3 South Division 2 (1-0, 0-2, 2-0)
1-0: Nick Shkreli (Brancheau, Gibson) 0:25 1st
1-1: Rock Einersen (Bourgonje, Schaber) 18:19 2nd
1-2: Chris Ciotti (Kitto, Bertsch) 18:37 2nd
2-2: Scott Hengar (Fritsche, Saint-Onge) 15:03 3rd
3-2: RJ Kleiman (Shkreli, Clifford) 16:12

PIM: North 2 Min on 1 PEN/South 2 Min on 1 PEN
SOG: North 28 South 24

Goalies:
North Kevin Kissaw 22 SVS on 24 Shots
South Dan Sullivan 12 SVS on 13 Shots Evan Karambelas 13 SVS on 15 Shots

Att: 413


West Division VS. Central Division

Cory Thorson (Owatonna Express) rang up a goal and assisted on Dan Cecka's (Owatonna Express) game winner in the Central Division 4-3 triumph over the West late in the game. Zach Vierling (Alexandria Blizzard) chipped in with two assists in this one, one on Cecka's goal and Bismarck Goalie Ryan Faragher made 37 saves between the pipe to clinch the win for the Central.


Game Summary

West Division 3 Central Division 4 (1-0, 0-2, 2-2)

1-0: Jon Schreiner (Politz) 1:12 1st
1-1: Cory Throson (Vierling) 2:19 2nd
1-2: Brian Nehring (Klein, Bohrer) 11:44 2nd
2-2: Christian Hilbrich (Beck, Mingo) 5:49 3rd
2-3: Derek Docken (SH) (Unassisted) 14:37 3rd
3-3: Michael Di Puma (Smith) 15:27 3rd
3-4: Dan Cecka (Thorson, Vierling) 17:46 3rd


PIM: West 2 Min on 1 PEN/Central 2 Min on 1 PEN
SOG: West 40 Central 26

Goalies:
West Kyle Robertson 22 SVS on 26 Shots
Central: Ryan Faragher 37 SVS on 40 Shots

ATT: N/A

Tournament Standings After Day 1

1. North Division 1-0-0 2 PTS 3-2

2. Central Division 1-0-0 2 PTS 4-3

3. South Division 0-0-1 0 PTS 2-3

4. West Division 0-0-1 0 PTS 3-4

Day 2 Schedule

North Division VS. West Division 4:30 PM EST

South Division VS. Central Division 7:30 PM EST