In a contest that featured eight goals, spirited special teams play, and a standout performance from a young forward, the JR Savages overpowered Ballers FC 5-3 in a Minor League clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats. From the opening puck drop, both teams traded blows in a fast-paced first period, setting the tone for a game that would ultimately be decided by timely scoring and disciplined penalty killing.
The Savages struck first at the 15:23 mark of the first period, when #39 Cooper Hohman, assisted by #98 Jaxen Bradley, buried an even-strength chance to give the home side an early lead. Ballers FC responded quickly, with #11 Wilder van Ravenswaay knotting the game just 85 seconds later. The see-saw battle continued as #44 Braylynn Woloszyn, with helpers from Hohman and Bradley, restored the Savages' advantage at 7:47. Ballers FC refused to back down, and #3 Ottli Kulcsar, set up by #18 River Bourne, tied the game again at 3:12 of the first, sending both teams into the intermission deadlocked at 2-2.
The second period saw the Savages seize control. At 14:51, #19 Jacob Van Wieren netted an even-strength goal with assists from #34 Presley Percy and #87 Macklin Vigneau, giving the home team a lead they would not relinquish. However, the period was not without controversy—a slew of penalties began to pile up. At 13:08, the Savages' #95 Bodhi Moledina was sent off for tripping, but it was the flurry at the 1:39 mark that proved chaotic: Ballers FC's #98 Jaxen Bradley was assessed two separate slashing minors, giving the visitors a lengthy power play. They capitalized immediately, as #13 Johan Glass, assisted by #5 Brett Stankowski, scored a power-play goal at 1:29 to cut the Savages' lead to 3-3. But the momentum was short-lived; the Savages' penalty kill held firm after Bradley's infractions, and the game remained tied heading into the third period.
The final frame belonged to the Savages and their relentless attack. At 7:43, #98 Jaxen Bradley—who had been involved in the earlier penalty drama—redeemed himself in style, scoring an even-strength goal with help from Hohman to regain the lead. Just over three minutes later, at 4:21, Bradley struck again, this time off a feed from Presley Percy, to complete his two-goal night and stretch the lead to 5-3. Ballers FC pulled their goalie in desperation, but the Savages' defense, anchored by netminder #61 Dawson Grassick, held firm. Grassick, who made enough key saves to earn the win despite facing seven shots, kept the visitors at bay as the clock wound down.
In the end, the JR Savages' depth and ability to strike in clutch moments proved too much for Ballers FC. Cooper Hohman's three-point night (one goal, two assists) and Jaxen Bradley's two goals were the difference-makers, while Grassick's poise in net sealed the victory. For Ballers FC, the loss was a tough pill to swallow despite spirited efforts from Ottli Kulcsar and Johan Glass. With the win, the Savages continue to build momentum, while Ballers FC will look to tighten up defensively as they regroup for their next contest.
Raptors
