Mile High Blizzard Sweeps Des Moines Leaf Ray 7 to Clinch PIHA Finals Berth

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

Game 1 Recap: Blizzard’s Defense Shuts Down Des Moines

🔢 Final Score: Mile High Blizzard 5, Des Moines Leaf Ray 0

The Mile High Blizzard set the tone early in Game 1 with a dominant defensive performance, holding the Leaf Ray scoreless for the entire game. Despite a strong start from Des Moines, Blizzard goaltender Ryan Wass-Tursick was impenetrable, stopping all 16 shots he faced to record the shutout.

The Blizzard methodically built their lead, scoring one goal in the first period before breaking the game wide open with four more in the second. Logan Baker (2G, 1A) and Austin Resseguie (1G, 1A) led the offense, while Anthony Lerette contributed three assists.

Game 1 Highlights

✅ 1st Period:

• 09:41 – Blizzard Goal (1-0): Logan Baker struck first with an even-strength goal off a feed from Greg Brick.

✅ 2nd Period:

• 11:34 – Blizzard Goal (2-0): Baker netted his second of the night, finishing a setup from Colton Davis.
• 07:25 – Blizzard Goal (3-0):Austin Resseguie extended the lead after a strong shift from Lerette.
• 06:41 – Blizzard Goal (4-0): Baker added another off a feed from Lerette.
• 00:47 – Blizzard Goal (5-0):Collin Fitzgerald capped off the rout with a late goal.

⛔ Defensive Domination: The Blizzard held the Leaf Ray scoreless, while Des Moines struggled to generate high-quality chances.

📌 Final Shots on Goal: Mile High 20 – Des Moines 16

Game 2 Recap: Blizzard Close Out the Series

🔢 Final Score: Mile High Blizzard 5, Des Moines Leaf Ray 7 2

Des Moines pushed back hard in Game 2, but the Blizzard proved to be too strong, using their high-powered offense to secure the series sweep.

Despite an early 2-0 lead for the Leaf Ray, the Blizzard answered quickly, scoring three consecutive goals before the first period ended. They carried the momentum into the second, adding two more goals to finish off the series.

Ryan Wass-Tursick (20 saves) once again stood tall, while Shaun Linger (2G, 1A) and Anthony Lerette (2A) led the Blizzard attack.

Game 2 Highlights

✅ 1st Period:

• 09:39 – Des Moines Goal (1-0):Hunter Shepherd opened the scoring off a pass from Spencer Coltrain.
• 07:53 – Des Moines Goal (2-0):Gary Denton doubled the lead with an unassisted goal.
• 10:50 – Blizzard Goal (2-1):Austin Resseguie responded quickly to shift the momentum.
• 10:11 – Blizzard Goal (2-2):Logan Baker tied it up with assists from Lerette and Colton Davis.
• 09:28 – Blizzard Goal (3-2):Jason Reiger gave Mile High the lead before the break.

✅ 2nd Period:

• 03:43 – Blizzard Goal (4-2, SH):Reiger struck again, this time shorthanded to further extend the lead.
• 01:04 – Blizzard Goal (5-2):Shaun Linger sealed the series with an insurance goal.

⛔ Goaltending Battle: Wass-Tursick was outstanding again, making 20 saves on 22 shots, while Des Moines' Blaine Barker faced heavy pressure throughout.

📌 Final Shots on Goal: Mile High 25 – Des Moines 15

🏆 What’s Next?

With the sweep, the Mile High Blizzard officially punch their ticket to the PIHA Finals, where they will compete for a national championship.

🔥 Can they continue their dominant run and bring home the title? Stay tuned! 🏒