Alexandria Blizzard Hockey

 Tied 2-2 after the second period, Alexandria fell on Aaron Gens' powerplay goal along with an empty-net score in the final minute of the game, losing 4-2 to the Topeka (Kansas) Roadrunners.

As a result, the Blizzard must now defeat Mahoning Valley (Ohio) at 3 pm Friday to advance. The Phantoms tied St. Louis 3-3 Thursday night to earn their first point of the tournament.

Mikael Lickteig and Larry Kincaid scored for the Blizzard while Jerry Freismuth contributed two assists. Ryan Leets made 28 saves as Alex dropped to 6-6-0 in post-season play.

The winner of the Friday night game between St. Louis (1-0-1) and Topeka (2-0-0) will advance directly to Sunday's championship game while the loser will face either Alexandria or Mahoning Valley on Saturday. The winner of that game will advance to Sunday's championship, as well.

“We have had our backs up against the wall since January,” said Blizzard assistant general manager Grant McGinnis. “This is no different. We're due for some bounces.”

Alexandria has faced a must-win situation in each of their two playoff series this spring. They knocked off Southern Minnesota in game five of the opening round before defeating Springfield in overtime last Sunday to clinch the Central Division title.