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Flyers are moving on

Allen's goal in final seconds lifts Alpena past Ironwood

News Photo by Jonny Zawacki Alpena’s Conner Allen (17) skates around Ironwood defender Graeme Scott (98) and scores on a backhander over the shoulder of Ironwood Yoopers goalie Ryall Pull (30) with 35 seconds left to help the Flyers eliminate Ironwood in the first round of the USPHL playoffs on Saturday at Northern Lights Arena.

The Alpena Flyers did not disappoint in hosting their first playoff series in team history.

After a wild and high scoring game one victory on Friday, the Flyers put together a thrilling 4-3 comeback win on Saturday at Northern Lights Arena to defeat the Ironwood Yoopers and advance to the second round of the USPHL playoffs.

Conner Allen sealed the win for Alpena with a goal scored with just 35 seconds left in regulation. Allen stepped in front of a pass and went to his backhand to lift the puck over Ironwood goaltender Ryall Purdy’s shoulder to send the home crowd into a frenzy and help the Flyers sweep Ironwood.

Alpena advances to play the Midwest division regular season champion Traverse City North Stars in another best of three series on Friday in Traverse City.

“We put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this season and this game. To be able to come back the way we did was awesome and we are going to enjoy this victory,” Alpena coach Russ Anderson said.

The Flyers came out a little flat early in the game and Ironwood took advantage by grabbing a lead midway through the first period on a breakaway goal from Neal Benson.

The Yoopers extended their lead to two when Braidon White found the back of the net with exactly four minutes to play in the opening period.

“I thought we came out a little too overconfident. Ironwood is a good team and they took advantage of our slow start,” Anderson said.

Alpena was able to cut into the lead before the period ended when Dean Schmanski lit the lamp with under two minutes left on assists from Allen and Mike Thompson .

Both teams battled in a back and forth second period, but Ironwood was able to score the lone goal in the period when White scored his second goal after collecting a loose puck in the corner and shot the puck off the back of Alpena goalie Matthew Brunton that ended up in the net to give the Yoopers a 3-1 lead after two periods.

Trailing by two goals, Alpena came out and dominated the third period in front of its home crowd.

The Flyers cut the lead back to one when captain Nic Baranyai scored a power play goal when he fired a shot from just inside the blue line that ended up in the back of the net five minutes into the period.

Ironwood was able to hold onto its lead throughout much of the period, but Baranyai came through again tying the game at three with 2:32 remaining and blasting another shot from the blue line to beat Purdy.

“It was huge to have two games like this in front of the home crowd,” Anderson said. “The support we had over the last two games from the community and fans was awesome and I’m glad we were able to give them two exciting victories.”

Alpena went 1-6 against Traverse City during the regular season and Anderson is hopeful the Flyers can keep their momentum going this weekend.

“We played Traverse City tough at times during the regular season, but they have had our number,” Anderson said. “I think we are playing good hockey right now and we just need to stay loose and play with confidence.”

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.

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