Ice Chips 10/09/2026

MINNESOTA NORTHERN LIGHTS at INDIANA SENTINELS

Sentinels Come from Behind to Douse the Northern Lights

By Andy Poetzinger

Columbus, IN - There has been a lot of anticipation and excitement surrounding the Indiana Sentinels heading into the new season. More veterans on the roster, talented rookies coming aboard, and a solid core of players returning from last year. Everett Thompson put the work in over the offseason to make this team not just better, but a competitive team against any FPHL team.

In opening game of the FPHL season, the Indiana Sentinels took on the Minnesota Northern Lights for the first game in their franchise history. The Northern Lights came to town as one of many teams who were hit hard by the visa issues that are running through the FPHL, so it was difficult to get read on how they would match up against a much-improved Indiana Sentinels squad.

The Northern Lights got out to a hot start just 39 seconds into the game thanks to a shot from Declan Conway coming down the near wing that escaped the blocker side of John Werber.

Conway would get another, this time on the powerplay just under halfway through the period. He received a perfect pass from Kylow Monkman and had a wide-open tap in to give the Northern Lights a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.

The Sentinels found their game in the second period and set up shop inside the offensive zone for a good portion of the period. They were finally rewarded when a David MacDonald shot was redirected by Aaron Shahin for the Sentinels’ first goal of the season.

It would stay 2-1 for the remainder of the 2nd period and nearly halfway through the 3rd when David MacDonald received a perfect set up pass from Thomas Miller. MacDonald had space to walk in and wired a perfect shot, elbow diagonal and in to tie the game at two.

“It was a great setup,” said MacDonald. “They make it easy. We already all have great chemistry. I’m excited to see how we grow together.

Three and a half minutes later, the Sentinels took their first lead of the game after a dominating shift where they were able to get a line change inside the offensive zone. Eventually the puck found Ryan Brow who let go of a seeing eye shot that beat Matt Lenz on the glove side.

That goal was a very telling goal for the Sentinels who struggled to find ways to convert on opportunities when they dominated shifts. In their first game of the season, they were able to do just that showing this team is different.

“I think that shows the buy in from these guys. Shifts like that where you wear a team down, get a wholesale line change and score… every team strives for that to happen,” remarked Everett Thompson.

Aaron Shahin put the icing on the cake with his second of the game, an empty netter to seal the deal. Shahin had scored only one goal last season. He eclipsed that total tonight in game number one.

Although, the Sentinels pulled out an exciting victory, Everett Thompson knows there’s much to improve upon.

“We have a lot to clean up. Too many turnovers, and too many pucks thrown at nobody. I think there’s a lot of things to look at. We just needed to get that first one out of the way so we can really look at it.”

The Sentinels wrap up the weekend series against the Northern Lights tomorrow night at 7:30 pm at the Hamilton Ice Arena.

If you cannot be there, we will have all the coverage for you on the Sentinels Hockey Network on YouTube. The Body Armor Pre-Game Show starts at 7:15pm. .

MID-SOUTH MONARCHS at MONROE MOCCASINS

Moccasins Win Home Opener over Mid-South

By Karinee Bradley

Monroe, LA - Friday night, the Monroe Moccasins kicked off their 2026 season opener. The team previously had a superb season, finishing 2nd in the Continental Division and 3rd overall in the FPHL. Ending with a 35-8-10 record for the 2025 season, the Moccasins were shooting to start off strong against the Mid-South Monarchs, playing in their first game in franchise history.

With an eventful first period, the pro forward Jordan Lalor scored the first goal for the Moccasins just under two minutes into the game. Briefly afterwards, The second board was put on the board for the team by veteran forward, Andrew Bellant. Bellant’s score stemmed from a series of assists started by #27, Captain Frank Schumacher. Schumacher was shown an immense amount of appreciation during the second media timeout of the game as he enters his 11th and final professional hockey season.

A third goal was earned for Monroe’s home team by Jared Christy. Mid-South got on the board when Austin Weber scored the first goal in franchise history at 12:00 of the first period. Dominating their opponent, the Moccasins closed the first period with a 3-1 lead.

The goalies of the night, Chris Branch for the Moccasins and Thomas Nappier for the Mid-South Monarchs, kept the scoring quiet for a major part of the second period. Diving back into the momentum, Jamie Dorsey scored the 4th goal of the night for the Moccasins on a 5 on 3 power play tally. The goal was followed by 2 answered scores by Austin Weber and Darion Benchich for the Monarchs with two goals in 14 seconds, wrapping up the 2nd period for the battle of the M’s. Monroe led 4-3 after 40 minutes.

Heading into the final period with a small lead over the Monarchs, the Moccasins reignited their ambitious momentum with Paul Arnott’s goal, increasing the score to 5-3. With a final two minutes underway, the Moccasins venomous bite the Monarchs with Andrew Bellant’s second goal of the night into an empty net. Show-stopping goals, crucial goalie saves, entertaining scuffles, and a home team win gave the Monroe fans a phenomenal show. The Monroe Moccasins conquered their first game of the season 6-3.

Monarchs Drop Opening Night To Moccasins

By Cole Parenti

Monroe, LA - The Mid-South Monarchs dropped the puck on their inaugural season in Monroe against the Moccasins. It was a highly anticipated matchup to kick off the franchise’s first season in the Mid-South.

The game started with three straight Moccasins goals in under 10 minutes. The first came from Nick Michaud, who sent the Snake Pit into a frenzy for the first time this season. The Mocs doubled their lead when Andrew Bellant found the back of the net for his first goal of the season. The final Moccasins goal of the period came from Jared Christy, who put his team comfortably ahead by three. The Monarchs responded before the period ended, as Austin Webber scored the first goal in franchise history to cut the lead to 3-1. The score held through the end of the period.

The second period was slower to start, as both teams had their chances, but Tommy Nappier and Chris Branch came up big for their respective sides. The Moccasins were the first team to break through, as Jamie Dorsey scored on a two-man advantage to restore their three-goal lead. The Monarchs answered with back-to-back goals in just 14 seconds. First, Webber ripped home his second goal of the night. Then, Benchich got on the board when a bad hop beat Branch, pulling the Monarchs within one. This set up what promised to be a close and electric third period.

The third period saw the Moccasins respond, as Paul Arnott restored their multi-goal lead. Andrew Bellant put the finishing touches on the game with an empty-net goal to make it 6-3. That would be the final score, as the Moccasins claimed the opening game of the season.

Tommy Nappier stopped 39 of the 44 shots he faced, while his counterpart, Chris Branch, stopped 23 of the 26 shots the Monarchs put on goal. The Mid-South Monarchs are back in action tomorrow night as they look to claim their first win in a rematch against the Moccasins.

OCEANSIDE SHOCK at FRESNO FALCONS

FALCONS SOAR TO HISTORIC 7-2 VICTORY OVER OCEANSIDE IN RETURN TO FRESNO

By Bryan Flores

Fresno, CA - The wait is finally over.

After 17 years without professional hockey in the Central Valley, the Fresno Falcons made their long-awaited return to Selland Arena on Friday night, delivering a commanding 7-2 victory over the Oceanside Shock in their inaugural Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) contest.

The historic evening marked the beginning of a new chapter in Fresno's storied hockey tradition, celebrating 80 years since the Falcons name first took the ice in 1946. With the FPHL expanding into California for the first time in league history, the Falcons ensured their return would be one to remember.

A Scoreless Opening Frame

Despite the final score, the opening 20 minutes belonged to the goaltenders.

Oceanside controlled much of the offensive pressure early, outshooting Fresno 21-8 in the opening period. However, Falcons netminder Austyn Roudebush stood tall, turning aside all 21 shots he faced to keep the contest scoreless heading into the first intermission.

Five-Goal Second Period Ignites Fresno

It took just 58 seconds into the middle frame for the Falcons to make history.

Forward Khristian Acosta netted the first goal of the new era, with Austin Albrecht and Trey Deloury collecting assists to give Fresno its first lead of the season.

Less than two minutes later, Aaron Huffnagle doubled the advantage, finishing a play set up by Noah Finstrom and Houston Wilson at the 2:49 mark.

Oceanside answered at 3:26, with Nick Wagner cutting Fresno's lead to 2-1, but the Falcons responded emphatically.

Acosta registered his second goal of the evening at 4:48, assisted by Gavin Mears and Justin Daly, before Finstrom found the back of the net just one minute later to extend the advantage to 4-1.

Fresno wasn't finished.

At 18:19, Wilson added a shorthanded tally, assisted by Carson Vance and Josh Colten, capping off a five-goal period and sending the Falcons into the second intermission with a commanding 5-1 advantage.

Wilson Leads the Charge in the Third

The Falcons continued their offensive momentum in the final frame, with Wilson striking again at 4:41 for his second shorthanded goal of the night.

The Oceanside Shock responded with a power-play goal from Ethan Yang at 13:47, cutting the deficit to 6-2.

However, Fresno had the final word.

At 15:57, Albrecht capitalized on the power play, with assists credited to Colten and Wilson, securing the Falcons' seventh and final goal of the evening.

Wilson finished with an impressive four-point performance, recording two goals and two assists, while Acosta added two goals of his own. Huffnagle and Finstrom each contributed a goal and an assist.

Between the pipes, Roudebush delivered a remarkable 51-save performance, turning aside 51 of Oceanside's 53 shots to secure the first victory of the Falcons' new era.

Despite being outshot 53-36, Fresno capitalized on its offensive opportunities while receiving exceptional goaltending and timely special-teams contributions. The Falcons finished 1-for-8 on the power play and successfully killed 11 of Oceanside's 12 opportunities.

A New Era Begins

For Fresno, Friday night's victory represented far more than another result in the standings.

It marked the return of professional hockey to a city with generations of history, championship traditions, and a passion for the game.

From the original Falcons of 1946 to the franchise's championship years and now the beginning of a new era in the FPHL, Fresno's hockey legacy continues.

Seventeen years after professional hockey last called Selland Arena home, the Falcons have returned.

And this time, they're starting with a win.

Up Next: Falcons Head to Oceanside

The Falcons will look to carry their opening-night momentum into Saturday, October 10, as they travel to Oceanside for a rematch against the Shock at Frontwave Arena.

Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. PT, as Fresno looks to build on its historic opening-night victory and remain undefeated to begin the 2026-27 FPHL season.