Another great season of WCHL hockey has come to a conclusion.
The Chargers are champions once again. Behind a dominant first period, timely scoring throughout the game, and another stellar performance from Ian Zurawski, the Chargers defeated the Thunderbirds 8–6 in Game 3 of the Finals to capture their second straight Jason Drapinski Memorial Cup.

The Chargers wasted no time taking control. Zeljko Sreckovic opened the scoring before Brent Severance struck twice, including a hat trick goal later in the period. Kevin Konfara added one of his own from Sreckovic, helping the Chargers build a 5–2 lead after twenty minutes. The Thunderbirds stayed within striking distance thanks to goals from Jeff Fleshner and Tristan Parent, but the Chargers carried the momentum into the first intermission.

The pace slowed in the second period, but the Chargers continued to capitalize on their opportunities. Konfara found the net again before Parent answered for the Thunderbirds. Sreckovic then scored his second of the night to restore the Chargers' cushion. While the Thunderbirds generated chances throughout the middle frame, Zurawski stood tall in goal, turning away several quality opportunities to preserve the lead.

The Thunderbirds made one final push in the third. Sreckovic completed his hat trick early in the period, but Parent answered with two goals of his own, eventually completing a hat trick as well. Eric Peterson added a goal to pull the Thunderbirds closer, but the comeback would fall short. Zurawski finished the night with 26 saves on 32 shots, making several key stops during the Thunderbirds' late surge as the Chargers held on for the 8–6 victory and another championship banner.

The win capped off another impressive playoff run for the Chargers, with Zurawski's postseason performance earning him Playoff MVP honors.

 Zeljko Sreckovic (Chargers) — 3 goals, 2 assists
 Andrew Calvin (Thunderbirds) — Kept the Thunderbirds within reach with several big saves despite the loss
 Brent Severance (Chargers) — Hat trick and a strong two-way performance

 Playoff MVP: Ian Zurawski (Chargers) — Victor in both game 2 and 3. 26 saves in Game 3 and a championship-clinching performance when it mattered most.

The Chargers kept their championship hopes alive with a 10–9 victory over the Thunderbirds in a thrilling Finals showdown, setting up a winner-take-all Game 3 this Saturday, June 13th. In a game filled with momentum swings and clutch performances, the Chargers leaned on timely scoring, strong defense, and a stellar effort from goaltender Ian Zurawski to force a decisive final game.

The Chargers came out firing in the first period. Kevin Konfara opened the scoring before the Thunderbirds answered with goals from Jeff Fleshner and Tristan Parent. Zeljko Sreckovic struck from Konfara to tie things up, and Konfara added another late in the frame to give the Chargers a slim edge after one. Despite trailing, the Thunderbirds showed they were far from out of it, generating chances throughout the period.

The second period featured more back-and-forth action. Sreckovic added another for the Chargers before Fleshner answered twice for the Thunderbirds, completing his hat trick. Konfara matched him with a hat trick of his own, while Alex Ernsberger and Dean Olivas also found the scoresheet to keep the Chargers in front. Every time one team threatened to pull away, the other answered, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

The Thunderbirds pushed hard in the third behind Fleshner and Parent, who each continued their strong nights and helped erase multiple deficits. Konfara and Sreckovic responded for the Chargers with critical goals of their own, while Parent completed his hat trick late to make things tense down the stretch. But when the Thunderbirds pressed for the equalizer, Zurawski came up with several key saves, preserving the one-goal victory and sending the Finals to a deciding Game 3.

 Ian Zurawski (Chargers) — 24 saves, including several clutch stops in key moments to secure the win.
 Tristan Parent (Thunderbirds) — 3 goals and 5 assists, involved in nearly every Thunderbirds scoring chance.
 Drew Canada (Chargers) — Limited minutes, but made his presence felt with strong defensive play and key stops in the defensive zone.
Game 3 is set for Saturday, June 13th. Winner takes the championship and the Jason Drapinski Memorial Cup.

The Thunderbirds stormed back in dramatic fashion to take Game 1 of the Jason Drapinski Memorial Cup Final, defeating the Chargers 7–6 in a thriller powered by a clutch third-period takeover from Jeff Fleshner. The win gives the Thunderbirds an early edge in the championship series after erasing a late Chargers lead.

The Thunderbirds struck first in the opening period behind goals from Alex Ernsberger and Fleshner, but the Chargers answered with strong offensive pressure of their own. Dean Olivas got the Chargers on the board before setting up Anthony Nowak later in the frame to keep the game tight heading into the second.

Momentum swung toward the Chargers in the middle period. Nowak buried his second goal of the night off a feed from Zeljko Sreckovic, and Sreckovic later finished one from Olivas to give the Chargers their first lead of the game. With the Chargers carrying momentum into the third, it looked like they were in control after another Olivas tally extended the advantage.

Then came the comeback. Fleshner completely flipped the game in the third period, scoring three straight goals for the Thunderbirds to erase the deficit and secure the win. Each goal felt bigger than the last as the Thunderbirds rallied late and stunned the Chargers with a 7–6 victory to open the Finals.

 Jeff Fleshner (Thunderbirds) — 5 goals, including the game-winning third-period surge
 Dean Olivas (Chargers) — 2 goals, 2 assists
 Kevin Richer (Thunderbirds)

The Chargers punched their ticket to the finals with a 13–10 win over the Knights in a high-scoring Game 3, taking the best-of-three series 2–1 and earning a spot in the Jason Drapinski Memorial Cup Final. In a game that featured nonstop momentum swings, the Chargers leaned on a monster performance from Kevin Konfara to outlast a relentless Knights attack.

The first period was an offensive explosion. Anthony Theuer opened the scoring and went on a tear, piling up goals for the Knights, but the Chargers answered every push. Konfara got rolling early with multiple tallies, while Zeljko Sreckovic added one from Konfara and Brent Severance chipped in helpers. The teams traded goals throughout the frame, with Theuer and Konfara going head-to-head in a back-and-forth battle that left the game tight after one.

The second period continued the trend, with both teams exchanging momentum. Theuer stayed hot for the Knights, connecting with Marty Witberg and Trei Cools, while the Chargers countered behind Konfara’s finishing touch and strong support from Sreckovic and Severance. Key goals from Severance and another Konfara strike helped the Chargers build a slight edge heading into the third.

In the final period, the Knights made one last push behind Theuer, but the Chargers had the answers. Konfara added another, and Sreckovic capped things off late to help seal the win. Despite a massive night from Theuer, the Chargers’ depth and ability to respond in key moments proved to be the difference, as they closed out the 13–10 victory and advanced to the championship.

 Kevin Konfara (Chargers)
 Zeljko Sreckovic (Chargers)
 Trei Cools (Knights)

The Knights responded in a big way in Game 2, rolling to a 13–4 win over the Chargers to even the best-of-three series at 1–1. With the Chargers missing top scorers Kevin Konfara and Zeljko Sreckovic, the Knights took full advantage early and never looked back, setting up a decisive Game 3 with a trip to the Jason Drapinski Memorial Cup Final on the line.

The opening period was all Knights, as Anthony Theuer set the tone right away and never slowed down. He struck three times in the frame, while Marty Witberg added a pair of his own to cap a dominant 5–0 start. The Chargers struggled to generate offense early, despite strong efforts from fill-in Jeff Fleshner, who stepped in from the Thunderbirds.

The second period saw a bit more push from the Chargers. Brent Severance got them on the board off a feed from Fleshner, and Fleshner added one himself from Dean Olivas. Later, Anthony Nowak converted another from Olivas to give the Chargers three in the frame. However, the Knights continued to control the pace, with goals from Theuer, Witberg, and Jonathan Bowie, including a late connection between Witberg and Theuer to keep the gap wide.

The third period sealed it. Theuer added three more goals, including one from Witberg, while Witberg picked up another himself to cap a dominant night for the duo. The Knights closed out the 13–4 victory, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 on April 18th, where the victor will advance to compete for the Jason Drapinski Memorial Cup.

 Anthony Theuer (Knights)
 Marty Witberg (Knights)
 Kenny Haran (Chargers

The Chargers took Game 1 of the best-of-three playoff series with a 7–5 win over the Knights, setting the tone early in what looks to be a tightly contested matchup.

The opening period was a back-and-forth battle, with Kevin Konfara getting the Chargers on the board first before Anthony Theuer answered for the Knights. The Chargers grabbed momentum midway through the frame with goals from Brent Severance and Zeljko Sreckovic (from Konfara), but Theuer continued to respond, completing a first-period hat trick to keep the Knights within striking distance. Konfara added another late in the period off a feed from Severance to give the Chargers a narrow edge after one.

The Knights pushed early in the second, as Marty Witberg converted from Trei Cools to tie things up, but Konfara answered once again with his third of the game to restore the Chargers’ lead. In the third, the Chargers finally created separation — Dean Olivas finished a setup from Konfara, and Sreckovic added his second of the night to extend the lead.

Theuer completed a four-goal performance late for the Knights, but the Chargers held firm down the stretch to secure the 7–5 victory and a 1–0 series lead.

Game 2 will take place on April 11th as the Knights will look to stave off elimination.

 Zeljko Sreckovic (Chargers)
 Anthony Theuer (Knights)
 Dean Olivas (Chargers

The Chargers pulled off the victory this past weekend which makes our makeup game huge this Saturday for standing purposes. If the Knights win, all 3 teams will be tied in the standings. The standing tie breaker in the event of a 3-team tie is season goal differential (total goals scored - total goals allowed). As of right now here is the current spread:

1. Thunderbirds (71 goals - 68 goals allowed) = +3
2. Chargers (68 goals - 69 goals allowed) = -1
3. Knights (58 goals - 60 goals allowed) = -2

A lot will hinge on this final game. Of course, if the Thunderbirds win the point is irrelevant. Should make for an exciting game! 

Eric Peterson opened the scoring off a feed from Jeff Fleshner, but Kevin Konfara answered with three straight goals to give the Chargers early control. Anthony Theuer, subbing in from the Knights, stopped the run for the Thunderbirds, and Peterson struck again late in the period to keep things even after one.

Konfara stayed hot in the second, adding two more while setting up Anthony Nowak, but Fleshner responded and Peterson completed his hat trick to keep the Thunderbirds right there in a tight, back-and-forth game heading into the third.

The final frame was a sprint. Konfara added four more, including a late goal assisted by Brent Severance, but the Thunderbirds answered every surge behind Peterson, Fleshner, and Theuer. Two late Thunderbirds goals sealed the 13–10 win in a high-scoring battle.

⭐ Eric Peterson — 5 goals
⭐⭐ Kevin Konfara — 9 goals, 1 assist
⭐⭐⭐ Jeff Fleshner — 4 goals, 2 assists

The Chargers and Knights traded punches early in a fast-paced opening frame. Kevin Konfara opened the scoring for the Chargers, but Anthony Theuer answered back for the Knights as the teams went back and forth. Brent Severance found the scoresheet for the Chargers, while Theuer struck again to keep things tight. After a busy first period with chances both ways, the game remained deadlocked as both goaltenders settled in.

The middle frame belonged to the Chargers’ attack. Konfara completed his hat trick and continued to pressure the Knights defense, while Zeljko Sreckovic added a key goal to push the Chargers ahead. Marty Witberg and Theuer responded for the Knights to keep them within reach, but the Chargers carried momentum late in the period. Despite the surge, both goalies stayed busy, each facing a steady stream of shots as the game remained within striking distance.

The Knights pushed hard in the third, with Theuer and Michael Crider generating offense to close the gap, but the Chargers answered every challenge. Konfara added more insurance, and Sreckovic chipped in again as the Chargers held firm down the stretch. Both Josh Cueter and Brendan Nienhaus finished the night facing 32 shots apiece, but it was the Chargers who closed out the final minutes to secure the 10–8 win.

 Stars of the Game
 Zeljko Sreckovic (Chargers)
 Marty Witberg (Knights)
 Brent Severance (Chargers)

Each team will head into the final 3 games with a record of 3-3. It should be an exciting race to see who can finish the regular season in first place!

Last weekend the Knights were able to defeat the Thunderbirds, tying them in the standings for our last game of 2025. Stats were unfortunately not recorded due to attendance. However, we do have the game recorded and stats and stars will be logged at a later date.

We return to action in January, have a great holiday time off everybody!

The Chargers and Thunderbirds lit up the scoreboard in Week 7, combining for a wild 25-goal showcase that stayed tight far longer than the final score suggests. Both teams came out firing in the first, trading blows all period long. The Chargers with Kevin Konfara assist on an Anthony Nowak goal, starting what would become another monster night. Jeff Fleshner and Eric Peterson matched the pace for the Thunderbirds, while Zeljko Sreckovic and Kevin Konfara added key tallies to keep the Chargers stride for stride. By the time the first period expired, it was already 5–5 an early sign of the track meet ahead.

The second period kept the goal horn busy. Tristan Parent hit full stride for the Thunderbirds, completing a hat trick in the middle frame and driving their offense as the period wore on. Konfara continued to match him, punching in two more for his own hat trick. We would head to the third tied 8-8.

The third period belonged to the Thunderbirds’ top shooters. Parent added two more to finish with a massive six-goal performance. Konfara kept the Chargers in the fight burying his fourth, fifth, and sixth of the game but every push was countered. Peterson secured a hat trick of his own, and the Thunderbirds pulled away for good in the final minutes, closing out a 14–11 win in one of the highest-octane games of the season.

 Stars of the Game  
 Tristan Parent (Thunderbirds) – A dominant six-goal performance
 Kenny Haran (Chargers) – A steady, impactful two-way 
 Eric Peterson (Thunderbirds) – Four goals, including the crucial early and late third-period marker that sparked the T-Birds’ late surge.

Week 6 was a grinder from the start, with the Chargers finally pulling away late in the second to top the Knights in a hard-fought win. The first period was a tight one - Kevin Konfara opened the scoring for the Chargers, but Trei Cools answered for the Knights to make it 1–1 before Zeljko Sreckovic put the Chargers back ahead 2–1. That score held deep into the second, as both goalies - Dean Olivas for the Chargers and Brendan Nienhaus for the Knights  -traded big saves.

Konfara broke things open late in the middle frame with back-to-back goals, then completed the hat trick in the third as the Chargers found their rhythm. Olivas stood tall in net to keep the Knights from mounting a comeback, while Ronnie Woodring continued to impress defensively with steady shot blocks and smart plays under pressure.

⭐ 1st Star – Kevin Konfara (Chargers)
⭐⭐ 2nd Star – Dean Olivas (Chargers)
⭐⭐⭐ 3rd Star – Ronnie Woodring (Knights)

Week 5 was a wild one — the Knights outlasted the Thunderbirds in a 12–11 shootout that had both benches gasping by the final buzzer. The Knights jumped out early behind a flurry from Anthony Theuer, who buried five goals and added a couple assists. Marty Witberg chipped in a hat trick and rookie Michael Crider grabbed one too, while Jeff Fleshner and Tei Cools rounded out the attack.

The Thunderbirds answered right back though — Tristan Parent went absolutely nuclear in the third, scoring six of his nine goals in a late surge that nearly flipped the script. Jeff Fleshner added a pair and goalie Kevin Richter kept them close with several strong saves, but Brendan Nienhaus stood tall down the stretch while Ron Woodring’s gritty shot blocks and defensive effort sealed the Knights’ second win of the season.

Stars of the Game
⭐ Brendan Nienhaus (Knights)
⭐⭐ Tristan Parent (Thunderbirds)
⭐⭐⭐ Ron Woodring (Knights)

The Thunderbirds defended home court with a 9–7 win over the Chargers in Game 4 action. Jeff Flesher led the way with a hat trick, including a late power play goal to seal the victory. Tristan Parent notched three goals, and Eric Peterson added a pair for the Thunderbirds’ balanced attack. For the Chargers, Anthony Theuer had a standout performance filling in for Kevin Konfara with six goals while Zeljko Sreckovic picked up one goal and one assist.

In goal, Andrew Calvin earned the win with 16 saves on 23 shots (.696 SV%), while Josh Cueter stopped 16 of 25 shots (.640 SV%) for the Chargers.

Stars of the Game:
 Jeff Flesher (Thunderbirds)
 Christine Ode-DuBois (Chargers)
 Tristan Parent (Thunderbirds)

The Thunderbirds improve to 2–1, while the Chargers drop to 1–2. The Thunderbirds will be back in action this weekend against the Knights.

The Thunderbirds picked up their first win of the season with a 10–5 victory over the short-handed Chargers on Saturday afternoon!

With several key Chargers out of the lineup, rookie sub Mike Crider stepped in — but the Thunderbirds’ offense came alive early and often. Eric Peterson and Jeff Fleshner each netted hat tricks, while Alex Ernsberger added a pair and Tristan Parent rounded out the scoring with a goal and an assist. Tyler French also found the back of the net — his first tally in several years — sparking the Thunderbirds’ bench in the second period.

On the other end, Dean Olivas scored twice for the Chargers and Crider added three goal and assist, but they couldn’t match the Thunderbirds’ depth. Goaltender Andrew Calvin was steady between the pipes, turning aside 16 of 21 shots to earn the win. The Chargers rotated goalies throughout the game — Ian Zurawski, Kenny Haran, and Christine Ode-DuBois — who combined for 16 saves on 26 shots.

Stars of the Game:
 1st Star – Tyler French (Thunderbirds) – First goal in years, big energy boost
 2nd Star – Kenny Haran (Chargers) – Stood tall in relief, .667 save percentage
 3rd Star – Dean Olivas (Chargers) – Two goals, one assist

 Game 2 Recap – 30th Anniversary Season

What. A. Battle. The Chargers made their season debut against the Knights and it turned into an absolute fireworks show, with both teams trading blows until the final buzzer!
For the Knights, Anthony Theuer and Trei Cools were unstoppable, each recording a hat trick to keep their offense rolling. Twenty-year league veteran Marty Wittberg showed his experience in a big way, dishing out key assists that kept the Knights’ attack humming.

The Chargers answered back with a huge performance from Kevin Konfara, who lit the lamp five times including a power-play marker, while Zeljko Sreckovic chipped in two of his own and Dean Olivas added an assist to fuel the comeback push.

But this one was all about the goaltending down the stretch — both netminders stood tall as the game tightened up. A highlight-reel goal line stick save from Josh Cueter with just a minute to play sealed the Chargers’ momentum and kept things close until the buzzer.

 3 Stars of the Game

 Josh Cueter (Chargers) – 17 saves, including a game-saving stick stop in the final minute
 Brendan Nienhaus (Knights) – 19 saves in a busy night between the pipes
 Zeljko Sreckovic (Chargers) – Two clutch goals to power the offense

The WCHL’s 30th Anniversary season kicked off with an absolute GOAL FEST as the Knights stormed past the Thunderbirds in a 13–7 shootout!

The Knights’ attack was rolling all afternoon with Anthony Theuer leading the charge, while rookie Michael Crider stole the spotlight in his debut — not only grabbing his first career point, but also burying his first career goal  (and adding a few more for good measure).

Big plays from Trei Cools kept the scoreboard lighting up as the Knights pulled away late.
The Thunderbirds didn’t go quietly, though. Tristan Parent was on  with a monster afternoon of goals and helpers, while Alex Ernsberger and Jeff Fleshner chipped in to keep the pressure on.

What a way to start Year 30 — goals everywhere, new faces making history, and the Knights snagging the first W of the season!

 3 Stars of the Game
 1st Star – Michael Crider (Knights) – First career game + first career goal/point
 2nd Star – Alex Ernsberger (Thunderbirds)
 3rd Star – Anthony Theuer (Knights)

CHARGERS:

#23 - Kevin Konfara (A)
#4 - Brent Severance
#90 - Kenny Haran
#30 - Anthony Nowak
#15 - Christine Ode-DuBois
#89 - Dean Olivas (C)
#43 - Drew Canada
#71 - Josh Cueter
#7 - Ian Zurawski
#20 - Zeljko Sreckovic (A)

KNIGHTS:

#94 - Trei Cools
#8 - Ronnie Woodring
#31 - Jonathan Bowie
#17 - Brian Smith
#25 - Marty Witberg (A)
#11 - Shayn Greer-Abbott
#98 - Brendan Nienhaus
#57 - Michael Crider (ROOKIE)
#39 - Anthony Theuer (C)
#21 - Katie Frayer (A)

THUNDERBIRDS:

#27 - Tristan Parent (A)
#69 - Alex Ernsberger (C)
#60 - Mary Stack
#99 - Andrew Calvin
#5 - Tim DeLore
#76 - Kevin Richter
#72 - Tyler French (A)
#55 - Jeff Fleshner
#52 - Terrance Beebe
#09 - Mefi Barrera (ROOKIE)
#42 - Eric Peterson

SCORING TITLES:
POINTS (56) - KEVIN KONFATA
GOALS (37) - KEVIN KONFARA
ASSISTS (19) - KEVIN KONFARA
GAA (7.71) - BRENDAN NIENHAUS
SAVES (157) - ANDREW CALVIN
BLOCKED SHOTS (30) - KEVIN RICHTER

JEFF MAY UNSUNG HERO:
CHRISTINE ODE-DUBOIS

BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER:
TRISTAN PARENT

MOST DYNAMIC DUO:
KEVIN KONFARA AND BRENT SEVERANCE

GOALIE OF THE YEAR:
BRENDAN NIENHAUS

DAVE ROSEN BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER:
RONNIE WOODRING

BEST ALL-AROUND PLAYER:
ERIC PETERSON

JEFF MAY GAMESMANSHIP:
TREI COOLS

TOM MARTIN SPORTSMANSHIP:
ANTHONY NOWAK

PRESIDENTS TROPHY PLAYOFF MVP:
KEVIN KONFARA

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
CHRISTINE ODE-DUBOIS

2025 POWERHOCKEY CUP BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER:
KEVIN KONFARA

2025 POWERHOCKEY CUP GOALIE OF THE TOURNAMENT:
DEAN OLIVAS

MUSTANGS COACHES CHOICE MVP:
TRISTAN PARENT

ANTHONY NELSON REGULAR SEASON MVP:
RONNIE WOODRING

The Michigan Mustangs made an impressive run at the 2025 PowerHockey Cup, finishing with the silver medal for the fourth time in team history.

In round-robin play, the Mustangs battled hard, dropping their opener 10-3 to Philadelphia PowerPlay Black before bouncing back in dominant fashion—defeating Philadelphia PowerPlay Orange 10-1, PowerHockey Ottawa 11-0, and the Toronto Toros 11-1.

Carrying that momentum into the semifinals, Michigan once again overpowered Toronto with a 10-3 victory to advance to the championship.

In a dramatic final against Philadelphia Black, the Mustangs held a 4-2 lead with just seven minutes remaining, but ultimately fell 6-4 in a heartbreaking finish.

Despite the tough loss, the Mustangs earned major recognition: Captain and goaltender Dean Olivas was named Goaltender of the Tournament, while forward Kevin Konfara received Offensive Player of the Tournament honors.

**WE HAVE A WINNER!**

The Chargers are your 2025 Jason Drapinski Memorial Cup Champions! In Game Two of the best-of-three Finals, the number one seed Chargers closed out the series with a 7-4 victory over the second seed Knights, sweeping the series 2-0 and capturing their first ever JD Cup title in franchise history.

From the opening faceoff, Kevin Konfara took control, scoring twice in the first period to set the tone. He stayed red hot in the second, burying two more goals while the Knights tried to keep pace with goals from Marty Witberg and Trei Cools, who tallied twice to make it a game. But the Chargers answered every push, with Konfara scoring his fifth of the night before the end of the second. In the third, Brent Severance extended the lead off a perfect feed from Konfara, and although Cools completed his hat trick for the Knights, Konfara sealed the deal with his sixth and final goal to put the game out of reach.

Three Stars of the Game:
 1st Star: Drew Canada – Dominant defensive play, neutralizing the Knights’ top threats and creating space all game long.
 2nd Star: Trei Cools – Hat trick performance with strong offensive leadership for the Knights.
 3rd Star: Dean Olivas – 21 saves for the Chargers, stonewalling the Knights when it mattered most.

Kevin Konfara earned the Presidents Trophy Playoff MVP, tallying the most goals in the tournament at 16 and putting up the second most points at 21. Konfara was able to do this despite only playing two games in the final round.
Congratulations to the Chargers on a championship well-earned!

This concludes our 2024-25 WCHL season, but the action doesn't stop! Keep an eye out for more information as the Michigan Mustangs get ready to compete this summer in the 2025 Powerhockey Cup.

The top-seeded Chargers edged out the No. 2 Knights in a thrilling, high-scoring Game One of the Jason Drapinski Memorial Cup Finals, securing an 11-9 victory and taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three elimination series.

The game opened with the Chargers setting the tone early, as Kevin Konfara notched the first of his eight goals on the night. Christine Ode-DuBois then made history, scoring her first career goal, assisted by Anthony Nowak. The Knights responded with two goals from Zeljko Sreckovic, but Konfara’s hat trick in the first period gave the Chargers a 4-2 edge.

The second period turned into a shootout, with the Knights charging back thanks to excellent playmaking by Marty Witberg, who was involved in four of their five goals during the frame. Sreckovic added two more goals to his tally, while Jonathan Bowie and Witberg also found the back of the net. The Knights dominated the period until the Chargers called a timeout with the score tied. Following the regroup, Konfara continued his offensive onslaught and regaining the lead late in the period.

The third period saw both teams trading goals, with Trei Cools and Witberg scoring for the Knights, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Konfara’s relentless pressure—he scored three more goals to seal the deal for the Chargers.
Despite the loss, Sreckovic earned Second Star honors with an impressive four-goal performance, and Witberg contributed to six of the Knights’ nine goals.

The Chargers now sit one win away from claiming the Cup, while the Knights face a do-or-die situation in Game Two, set for June 7th.

Three Stars of the Game
 1st Star: Christine Ode-DuBois – First career goal, strong all-around play
 2nd Star: Zeljko Sreckovic – 4 goals, dynamic offensive presence
 3rd Star: Kevin Konfara – 10 goals, dominant performance

The Knights bounced back in a must-win situation, defeating the Thunderbirds 6–3 in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. With the win, the second-seeded Knights evened the best-of-three series at one game apiece, forcing a decisive Game 3. The Knights set the tone early in the first period when Marty Witberg opened the scoring with a powerplay goal following a roughing penalty to Jeff Fleshner. The Thunderbirds responded through Anthony Theuer, who tied it up off a setup from Fleshner, but Witberg quickly reclaimed the lead for the Knights with his second of the period. The Knights were also tested on the penalty kill after a delay of game call on Brian Smith, but they held strong to close out the opening frame with a 2–1 lead.

In the second period, the Thunderbirds turned up the pressure, outshooting the Knights 10–6, but it was the Knights who made the most of their chances. Trei Cools scored twice—first from Witberg and later from Zeljko Sreckovic—to extend the Knights’ lead. Witberg completed his hat trick midway through the period on another Sreckovic assist, capping off a dominant stretch of offense. Theuer stopped the bleeding temporarily with his second goal of the night for the Thunderbirds, but Brendan Nienhaus was the story of the period, making several huge saves to preserve the lead. Fleshner added a charging penalty to his record, but the Thunderbirds managed to kill it off without further damage.
T
he third period was a battle of wills, as the Thunderbirds came out aggressive and once again outshot the Knights, this time 8–3. Theuer completed his hat trick to bring the Thunderbirds within two, but Witberg answered right back with his fourth goal of the game, putting the final nail in the coffin. Despite a 30–22 shot advantage over the course of the game, the Thunderbirds couldn’t solve Nienhaus when it counted most. Fleshner took his third penalty of the night with just 20 seconds remaining, ending a tough outing for the Thunderbirds' veteran forward.

With the series tied 1–1, everything comes down to Game 3 on April 12th, where the Knights will host the Thunderbirds in a winner-take-all showdown. The victor will move on to face the top-seeded Chargers in the finals. It’s sure to be an intense and emotional finish to a hard-fought series.

Three Stars of the Game:
 1st Star: Brendan Nienhaus (27 saves, standout performance in net)
 2nd Star: Tyler French (strong defensive presence, key shot blocks, and on-ice leadership)
 3rd Star: Trei Cools (2 goals, 1 assist)

The Thunderbirds took a commanding step forward in the first round of the playoffs, defeating the Knights 7-3 in Game One of their best-of-three series. With the win, the third-seeded Thunderbirds are now one victory away from the finals, where the top-seeded Chargers await.  

The game opened with Thunderbirds’ forward Anthony Theuer setting the tone early, scoring the first goal of the night. The Knights responded quickly, as Trei Cools buried a setup from Marty Witberg to tie the game. However, Theuer struck again before the first intermission, giving the Thunderbirds a 2-1 lead after one.  

The second period saw the Knights momentarily take control. Witberg tied the game with an assist from Zeljko Sreckovic, and just minutes later, Cools notched his second of the night off another feed from Witberg, putting the Knights ahead 3-2. However, the Thunderbirds had a quick response of their own. Jeff Fleshner, assisted by Theuer, scored twice in a span of just ten seconds to give the Thunderbirds a 4-3 lead heading right before the final period.  

Both teams battled through adversity in the second period. Witberg and Fleshner each served separate delay-of-game penalties, but both penalty-killing units held strong, preventing any power-play goals.  

The Thunderbirds took complete control in the third period, adding three more unanswered goals. Alex Ernsberger scored twice, first from Fleshner and then from Theuer, extending the lead to 6-3. Theuer capped off his stellar performance with his third goal of the night, securing the 7-3 victory.  

Knights’ goaltender Brendan Nienhaus faced 27 shots and, despite the scoreline, made several key saves to keep his team in contention. The Knights also had to battle through some adversity, as Sreckovic suffered a minor injury and Cools dealt with chair troubles throughout the game.  

With the Thunderbirds leading the series 1-0, the teams will meet again on April 5, with the Thunderbirds hosting. A win for the Thunderbirds would send them to the championship round against the Chargers, while the Knights will fight to force a decisive Game Three.  

Three Stars of the Game:
 1st Star: Alex Ernsberger (2 goals)  
 2nd Star: Trei Cools (2 goals, 1 assist)  
 3rd Star: Anthony Theuer (3 goals, 2 assists)