Arizona Yotes Sweep Front Range Thunder to Advance to PIHA Finals

📅 Date: March 9, 2025
📍 Venue: Pepsi Roller Sports Arena
🔢 Final Series Score: Arizona Yotes Wins 2-0
🎥 Video:  Roller_Planet

Game 1 Recap: Yotes Grind Out a Hard-Fought Victory

🔢 Final Score: Arizona Yotes 3, Front Range Thunder 2

The Arizona Yotes took Game 1 of the Rocky Mountain South Semi-Pro Finals in a tight defensive battle, edging the Front Range Thunder 3-2.

Aydin Schwetz opened the scoring early for Arizona, but the Thunder responded with a goal from Dawson Minder to keep things even. The game remained close until Jeremy VanBuskirk took over in the second period, scoring twice to push the Yotes ahead.

Despite a late goal from Derek Pellett, the Yotes’ defensive stand and strong goaltending from Eric Hernandez (21 saves) helped them hold on for the Game 1 victory.

Game 1 Highlights

✅ 1st Period:

• 07:50 – Thunder Goal (1-0): Dawson Minder put the Thunder ahead with an even-strength goal.
• 02:27 – Yotes Goal (1-1): Aydin Schwetz responded quickly, tying the game with an unassisted goal.

✅ 2nd Period:

• 07:32 – Yotes Goal (2-1):Jeremy VanBuskirk scored his first of the night off a pass from Cooper Bennett.
• 03:50 – Yotes Goal (3-1): VanBuskirk struck again, this time assisted by Brydon Frisk.
• 02:33 – Thunder Goal (3-2): Derek Pellett made things interesting with a late tally.

⛔ Goaltending Battle:

• Eric Hernandez stopped 21 of 23 shots, making key saves in the final minutes.
• Chris Mollica kept the Thunder in the game with 17 saves on 20 shots.

📌 Final Shots on Goal: Arizona 20 – Front Range 23

Game 2 Recap: Yotes Dominate to Secure the Sweep

🔢 Final Score: Arizona Yotes 7, Front Range Thunder 1

After a close battle in Game 1, the Yotes came out firing in Game 2, dominating the Thunder with a 7-1 blowout win to clinch the series sweep.

Arizona jumped out to a commanding 3-0 lead in the first period and never looked back. Aydin Schwetz and Jeremy VanBuskirk continued their offensive brilliance, each contributing multiple points, while the Yotes' defense suffocated the Thunder all game long.

Goaltender Eric Hernandez was sensational again, stopping 22 of 23 shots, while Arizona’s offense outshot Front Range 28-23.

Game 2 Highlights

✅ 1st Period:

• 09:50 – Yotes Goal (1-0): Schwetz started the scoring, assisted by VanBuskirk and Frisk.
• 08:07 – Yotes Goal (2-0): Frisk doubled the lead just a minute later.
• 01:54 – Yotes Goal (3-0): VanBuskirk found the back of the net to put Arizona in full control.

✅ 2nd Period:

• 11:06 – Yotes Goal (4-0): Schwetz struck again off a pass from VanBuskirk.
• 10:11 – Yotes Goal (5-0): Schwetz completed his hat trick with another goal.
• 09:12 – Yotes Goal (6-0): Cooper Bennett got in on the scoring with a slick finish.
• 05:09 – Thunder Goal (6-1): The Thunder finally broke through with a goal from Mark Ottenberg, but it was too little, too late.
• 02:38 – Yotes Goal (7-1):Jacob Kraime put the final stamp on the series, sealing the Yotes’ win.

⛔ Goaltending Battle:

• Eric Hernandez (Arizona):22 saves on 23 shots – another standout performance.
• Chris Mollica (Front Range):21 saves on 28 shots – overwhelmed by Arizona’s relentless attack.

📌 Final Shots on Goal: Arizona 28 – Front Range 23

🏆 What’s Next?

With the series sweep, the Arizona Yotes advance to the PIHA Finals, where they will represent the Rocky Mountain South Division in the quest for a national championship.

🔥 Can the Yotes complete their championship run? Stay tuned for the PIHA Finals! 🏒