First Two Playoff Rounds Finish With Close Battles

Friday, February 3rd

Steinbrenner 4, Palmetto 2

Recap: A three-goal third period helped guide Steinbrenner to a 4-2 comeback win over Palmetto in the first round of the LHSHL playoffs on Friday. Paul Johnson opened the scoring in the first period for the Warriors, and added an empty net tally in the third. James Gelvin scored twice for Palmetto, who held a 2-1 lead going into the final frame. Ari Blatt tied it for the Warriors before Ben Grossman scored the game-wining goal with just 1:24 left in the third period. Marcus Benzrihem made 18 saves in net for Steinbrenner for the win, while Ethan Fischer made 32 saves for Palmetto.

Steinbrenner advances to quarterfinals vs Plant.

Mitchell 4, Palm Harbor 2

Recap: A second period goal from Kane Eanes held up as the game-winning goal as Mitchell advanced past Palm Harbor on Friday. The Mustangs scored the game’s first two goals, as Diego Juan and Yiorgios Bikakis each picked up a tally in the first period. Avery Altieri and Gabe Dollmont would respond for Palm Harbor in the opening frame to tie the game at two. Eanes would collect the game-winner in the second period before Carter Trussler finished the game for Mitchell with an empty net goal, his third point of the game. Edward Kotula stopped 20 shots in the win for Mitchell, while Luca Petrulli made 20 saves for Palm Harbor.

Mitchell advances to quarterfinals vs East Lake.

Durant 6, Wiregrass 3

Recap: A big night from Ethan Carstens led Durant to a 6-3 win over Wiregrass and into the quarterfinal round. Carstens had a hat trick and five total points, assisting two goals from Nathan Hargest. Both teams traded goals early in the game, with Durant scoring before a Wiregrass response three times. With the game tied 3-3, Andrew Burnside scored the game-winning goal with just under five minutes left for Durant. Carstens finished off the game with two goals in 28 seconds late in the period. Ryan Putnam made 28 saves for Durant in the win, while Erik Williams stopped 32 shots for Wiregrass.

Durant advances to quarterfinals against Newsome.

Land O’ Lakes 1, Riverview 0

Recap: A late goal from Ethan Curran ended a goaltending duel with a win for Land O’ Lakes, 1-0 on Friday night. Curran scored the game’s lone goal with just under five minutes left in the third period. Mikhail Dumenko made 21 saves for Land O’ Lakes in the shutout win, including nine saves in the third period alone. Patrick Boyle finished with 18 saves on 19 shots for Riverview.

Land O’ Lakes advances to quarterfinals vs Jesuit.

Sunday, February 7th

Plant 5, Steinbrenner 2

Recap: Plant scored the game’s first three goals on their way to a 5-2 win over Steinbrenner on Sunday. Nicholas Girsch scored the eventual game-winning goal just 18 seconds into the second period to give Plant a 3-0 lead, part of a two point night for Girsch. Sean Murphy, Trey Rodriguez and Brenden Sickles each had two asissts for the Panthers in the win. Charles Abel made 22 saves for Plant in the win. Paul Johnson had a goal and an assist for Steinbrenner.

Plant advances to semifinals vs East Lake.

East Lake 5, Mitchell 1

Recap: A dominant performance from East Lake on Sunday propelled them through to the semifinal round after a 5-1 win over Mitchell. Kyran Stahlke had three points, including two goals, to lead the Eagles. Benjamin Gentry had a goal and an assist for East Lake, while Connor Sheridan made nine saves on ten shots. Carter Trussler scored the lone goal for Mitchell, while Edward Kotula made 26 saves.

East Lake advances to semifinals vs Plant.

Newsome Wolves 2, Durant 0

Recap: Dylan Dykstra helped lead Newsome to a big win in a tightly contested 2-0 win against Durant on Sunday. Dykstra stopped all 15 shots he faced for the shutout, while Zachary Borukhin and Colin Jackson each scored for the Wolves. Ryan Putnam made 35 saves for Durant.

Newsome advances to semifinals vs Jesuit.

Jesuit 3, Land O’ Lakes 1

Recap: A strong performance in net from Justin Brisebois helped lead Jesuit to a 3-1 win over Land O’ Lakes on Sunday. Brisebois made 38 saves on 39 shots to keep Land O’ Lakes at bay, while Ashton Stavish, Patrick Hyde and Robert Sheets Jr each scored for the Tigers. Mikhail Dumenko made 21 saves for Land O’ Lakes, while Sean Murrey scored.

Jesuit advances to semifinals vs Newsome.