NAHA 2025 Dunlap Cup Playoffs West QF G1 – Kansas City Spirit @ San Diego Riptide
[Applause] And we are about set to drop the puck on this one. A critical game for both sides here. And we are underway off the post. Huge opportunity both in this game, James, but it hit the pipe and out. Now they’re chasing. Jones makes the save and hangs on for a stoppage of play. Lots of hockey left to be played in this period. We’re still [Music] scoreless. Gany has gained possession and is great work inside the faceoff circle pays off again. Excellent stick work on the play. San Diego’s got a hold of it against the wall and the puck’s booted away [Applause] and now it’s grabbed by L. Stoked up along the wall by Pure looking to make something happen in the offensive zone. Huge play in his own end to come up with the puck. Fires it. Comes up with the stop. Oh, what a hit. He sacrificed his body to make the play. He knew exactly what he was doing with that hit this early in the game. He’s trying to send a message and dictate the pace. On the attack into the offensive and right up the gut, fires it on net. Stopped by the goender getting a piece of that one. Chris Coro stick handling in his own zone. Steps across the line and on the attack down the right side. Rib time. got a hold of it along the wall. Kansas City’s got possession at center. Puck grabbed by Scantella. Dished on over to Gardella. Kansas City’s got the puck against the boards. Great heads up play in the defensive zone. Quick shot. Oh, gets a little piece of it and keeps it out of the net. inching closer to the midway mark of this period. Still looking for our first goal. Play results as they win the draw here inside the offensive zone. Hammers the shot. Oh, and he just cuts it wide to the net. Work too hard to have a puck on their stick and to get to scoring areas to not hit the net. Even if they don’t score, they’ll get a rebound if they at least hit the tender. handles the puck. Digging in for that buckle on the wall. Seuss takes the puck. Tries to get it over to Han. Oh, great move to sideep the check. Oh, smart heads off play to put that one away. Kansas City’s got it behind the net. Knocked away. Fishoff’s taking it from his own end. Steps across the blue line. And he lays out to block that one. Quick cross ice pass to Neolin and he can’t hang on after that hit. Loses possession after he takes a little hit. Kansas City’s got him along the wall. Oh, how did that stay out? Oh, I don’t even know how he made that save, James. That was all but in the net and complete desperation and compete level to make that one. Jones wins this one-on-one battle, and that’s exactly what it is. You got to challenge. You got to compete. And he makes the save. And now he moves it quickly to angle. San Diego’s got the puck in their own end. Moette. Oh, and just like that, steals the puck and goes the other way. Denies them. The goalenders are the last line of defense for a reason. This time he bails his team out. It over and that goes off a player. Kansas City’s got the puck along the boards. Jeff Martell into the offensive zone now on the attack and they’ll battle for that loose puck along the boards. The Spirit have taken possession along the wall. Puts it on net. Tried to put it in the side and missed. Well, there’s a recognition that he didn’t have much room. Gets a little bit fine and just misses wide. And the home side is nervous. Look at this pressure here in the offensive end. Puck is frozen and will get a faceoff. [Applause] More than half the period has expired. Still scoreless in this one. Off the draw. They take possession. Here’s a short pass to White looking to make something happen along the boards. Takes a shot. Oh, what a denial by Cross and they continue to apply pressure here from center. They get into the attacking area and that goes off a body. Feeds the puck to Kanye. Kansas City’s caught it from behind the net. There’s the whistle as the puck stopper elects to hang [Applause] on. Centers glide into the dot as a face off ready to resume play. Kansas City’s won the draw and he flies it to Peters. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Gay has won the draw in his own end. Now, let’s see if they can clear it. San Diego’s counted in their own zone and he hangs on to the puck, turns that one away and the puck stopper jumps on top of it to get a stoppage in play. Getting into the later stages of this period. Still no score in this one. Angles quick stick off the draw wins possession up along the wing. Solid check to slow him down. and he’s written off the puck. Misses over the net sometimes. Wait a second, James. I believe there’s going to be a call right there. An infraction happens. There’s the whistle. Let’s see what the referee saw. Jacobs being served. Two for boarding. [Applause] and their first chance to use the man advantage. First power play opportunity of the game and to set the tempo, the trend on the specialty team unit. Good job tangling up his opponent here. Oh, he might call that friendly fire as it goes off one of his teammates. Scores and they put their power in power play. [Music] We all know that goals in the playoff series are so difficult to come by, James, as the ice closes up and everyone’s playing urgent and physical. They got the first one here. That’s a good way to start. The coach’s reaction is rewarding the team for their efforts on the power play there. The execution. Listen, they work on this in practice. It’s a different thing to get it done in game. Well, they got it done. Rip Tide’s got to be feeling good about getting that goal here late in the first, Cheryl. Yeah, I like the energy that they created for their bench even before the goal, James. They started to pressure and that’s something that I noticed. There was a change late in the first. The Spirit have the puck against the boards. Directs it on over to Ellson. Gets the puck in deep. San Diego’s got control of it now from their own end. Denies him in close. Well, these are the saves when you know that your goalender is dialed in, James. The ability to get to the top of the tree and be square to the shooter. That’s a great save. here in the later stages of this period. One- nothing the score takes possession off the draw across the line. Kansas City’s got the puck and he takes the feed. Loses the coverage there. Good possession along the wall. Nice poke check. Sher’s lugging the puck. Nearing the final 60 seconds here this first period. Puff picked up by Cooking. Quick pass to L with authority. He drives to the sweet spot. Oh, how did he get up? He’s the fantastic save from a high danger scoring area, James. And I mean, he’s bailing his team out. They have to do a better job of protecting the middle of the ice. Here’s a shot. No one misses and will play on. Well, you spend so much time trying to create scoring chances and when you do, you got to find the back of the net at the very least. Hit it, James. There’s the horn for period number one as it comes to an end. We’ve got lots more action. Two more thirds of this one to go. Stay with us. Two more periods to go and they’re about to the second frame here. Batteries are charged up and here we go with period number two. Well, Cheryl, we got 20 minutes under our belts in this one. How do you sum up the performance, James? There’s been a ton of open-ended action and a lot of pace to this game. It’s been real fast and entertaining. I’m surprised there’s only one goal in this one. Got to expect that it’s going to get blown open soon if this pace continues. Here they come on the attack. shot off the glove. Hangs on to the puck after taking a hit. San Diego’s looking to break out of their own end. Knocks the puck loose after a solid hit. A little crashing and banging. Forces the turnover. York got him to the side. Dishes it off. Slides it back to the blue line. Passes it over. Denise him. He got all of it. moves the puck, goes around along the half wall, stows him in front, and the goalie covers up for the whistle. Still plenty of time left in this frame. San Diego’s ahead one- nothing. And they take possession after the defensive zone faceoff. Kansas City’s in now. Slides it across. San Diego’s got the puck inside the defensive zone from the point. They take control of it. Oh, what a stick save. It’s amazing to me how he always looks like he’s in the right position because he tracks and reads the play so well. And this time he gets in front of the puck that’s right in the middle of the ice as the shooter’s got a dangerous opportunity. Streaking through center. They go on the attack. Good heads up play in the defensive zone. Big time hit along the boards and there’s no give there. Well, there isn’t. And you can just feel the rumble of the board from up here. Just bone crushing, separating body from P. Like a rubber band, James. I thought he was out of the net, but he finds his way back in to make that save. Picked up along the wall by We got a penalty coming up here. Seuss looks around. Oh, puts it wide. And oh no, he’ll want that one back. Well, you can see the frustration right there. I think there was a sense of urgency, but he had more time than he thought. And the power play unit takes to the ice. their first chance to try to make something happen in this game. A power play that can even the score here, James. It is massively important that they create some kind of momentum in their favor on this one. Kansas City’s gained possession along the boards. Demise him on the one-time and another stop. San Diego’s penalty killers get a hold of it and a successful attempt. Puck move back to the neutral zone. pushes it across to Deigo. Here’s a shot. Oh, what a save with a glove. And he takes the pass. Almost ready to get back on the ice. Their teammate jumps out of the box. We are back to even strength and the penalty killing unit gets it done with that onegoal lead intact. Well, often in hockey we say timing is everything. And when you’re down by a goal and you have an opportunity on the power play, you have to cash in. And the whole bench knows that that was a missed opportunity. Takes a shot. Oh, he got a little sliver of it and it stays out. Rocksome on the play and now he tries to get it across to Jacobs. Strong defensive effort and he maintains possession of the puck here. stops him with the [Music] [Applause] [Music] blood. Well past the midway mark of this period. We got a one- nothing game to this point. Angles won the draw here and they’ll go on the attack. San Diego’s got the pop. They gain the offensive zone from the middle. Looks to set up at the front now. His reflex is on display tonight. Slides the puck to angle. Can’t keep holding it after that hit. Oh, look at this. Here they come. They’ve got numbers. And that cars off one of his teammates in front. Mayo’s got the puck. Here’s a chance. Puck scooped up by Pettis. can’t maintain possession. San Diego’s got control of it now here in the offensive end. Goalender covers it up. We get a whistle to slow things down. Puck possession so critical in today’s game and the official ready to drop the puck right here. [Music] Delots won the draw here in their own zone. Peters works the puck in his own zone. taken by McGrath. Cuffs into the paint. Decides to think about it. Sends it into the offensive zone. Quick pass over to McGrath and he takes the feed. San Diego’s got a hold of the puck now. The Spirit have gained possession. Carries it into the offensive end up the middle. fires it. Oh, that’s off the blocker. What a stop by. Poked away in the offensive end. Takes it across the blue line. Grabbed along the board by Seuss. Kansas City’s got the puck along the boards. And now it’s grabbed by Bork. Sends a pass over. Moves the puck along the half wall. feeds it over, dishes it off, stops that one, covers it up, and we’ll get a stoppage in [Applause] play here in the late goings of the period. Rib Tides up one [Applause] zip. San Diego’s won the draw and they’ll go to work. Cuckins moving the puck through his own zone. on the attack along the boards. Rip Tides in transition. Here they come on the attack. Fires it on net and a great save. Rosin’s been dominant in the crease area. He’s turned away a lot of high danger shots and he’s really found way to build some momentum for his team. Give him a real opportunity to win. [Applause] San Diego’s have one song in their mind all night long. Shot, shot, shot, shot. They continually wait the second rib time in the offensive zone. And the L blocking that quick feeds it to Scroll. Per the offensive zone to the right side. Moves it quickly over to Deigo. Quick shot. Oh, and it stays out. He got a piece of that [Applause] one. And there’s the buzzer, bringing the second period to an end. You don’t want to go home yet, do you? Third period action still to come. Drop your plastic, bottles, and clean paper products in the clean recycling bins located throughout the arena. Thank you for joining us in a campaign to save energy and keep our city clean. Opening face off for period number three is ready to go. All right, the puck is dropped from the third and final frame. Oh, a stopage. That pain of glass got cracked after that heavy heavy shot. Well, it’s all about safety first here, James. And they’re going to make sure that they replace that pain. You know, if it’s fired, if it’s cracked and another shot comes or a big hit, that’ll send it through to the fans. RIP’s going to start with the quick scores. And look who’s right on the doorstep. And he didn’t miss that one. [Music] That’s what you call taking advantage of a fortuitous rebound. And you have to be able to smell it and skip it out because he has great hand eye coordination to be able to pick that one up and put it in the back of the net. Oh, with that goal against the coach is salty behind the bench right now. You can just see his whole demeanor is negative because he’s not impressed with the way his team is playing. You know, it’s been a lackluster effort. They didn’t come ready to play. They weren’t prepared. San Diego’s added to their lead here, going up by two in the third period. Two words their coaches will be telling them, keep attacking. They have their opponent on their heels right now. These next few shifts in this third period are critically important. Carries it across the line. Shot. Oh, it stems out as he gets a piece of that one. The shots come from the middle of the ice and has some heat on it, but he’s ready and waiting for it. He’s to position and he makes the save. Face off coming up here. They were buzzing moments ago. Yeah, they really were. And it’s a tough spot for the goalender. Everyone else can change, but he can’t. He’s got to out battle his opponent now. Takes the feed. Can’t hang on to the puck after the play from the point. Looks to make something happen. just wide to the net. Keeps a hold of the puck, coughs it up on the play. San Diego’s got possession of the puck. Exploring options here inside the defensive zone. Shot. He scores. And someone’s picked up for his second of the night. Yeah, I expect that he’s going to be looking for the Hattie because he’s been all around the James showing off his skill set. That puck comes off so The goalie can’t get a read on. It is in the back of the net. Rip times made it a threegoal game here early in this third period. This is starting to feel like this is going to be the theme for the rest of the night. Oh yeah. I mean, it’s been a shooting clinic, James. They’ve been able to get the puck on their stick and fire it at on a twoon-one. Feeds it over. Oh, what a stop. Shutting down that rush. Wow. [Music] [Applause] San Diego’s on total cruise control early in this third [Applause] period. Chris Paulo’s won the faceoff here in the offensive zone. Riptide’s got the puck in their own end and that’s broken up in the defensive zone by Aucken to the front. Quick shot. Spectacular stop by the goender. How did he hang on to that? Kansas City’s got the puck along the wall. Oh, CP, you know what he wanted there. Just came up a little wide. Well, JC, he certainly did. He pulled it into his body and as he cors it, he lets it rip. But hockeyy’s a game of inches and that one just misses. And we play on. Ref blows the whistle as the puck’s covered up. San Diego’s laying off, pounding on the opposition tonight, generating numerous scoring chances and converting on what feels like almost all of them. Puck is dropped and he wins the draw here in the defensive zone. Right through center and into the offensive zone. Moves it to Nean. Save by goalie. Lois got it in the defensive end. San Diego’s got a hold of it against the wall. Passes it over. Oh, a clutch save. Feeds the puck to Galant. Fires it into the offensive zone. San Diego’s got a hold of it along the wall along the side. Here they come through the neutral zone. Free reach with the puck check by Neolin. San Diego’s got the puck. Grabs the puck here in the neutral zone. Att’s got it now deep inside his own end. Puck battle along the boards. San Diego’s got a hold of the puck now. Rhibid’s got it in their own zone. Right up main street and on the attack. Kansas City’s got the puck here in the open ice. Quick pass to L. Turned aside with the glove by Jones. There’s the whistle. We’ll get a face off after the goalie covers up. Rib Tides got the edge in the shot department. A big reason why they lead here in this third period. Later won the face off. And now let’s see what they can do. [Applause] San Diego’s got control of it now from their own end. Broken up with a stick in the defensive zone and he slides it quickly to Luck. Kansas City’s got the puck against the half wall and the play continues. Oh, what a stop on the play. Pass back to the floor. Big time stop. What a what an incredible save. I don’t even know how he got to that. That’s fierce athleticism. be able to get back to the net and make that save. James, that was amazing. And Shar, listen to these fans here. They are getting loud. Some of them are getting on their feet here. Still applauding that save we saw. James, I think it’s the appreciation for the desperation save, the compete, the will to keep that puck out of the net. And they’re really showing him the love. And with the centers tied up, he swoops in to take possession. moves it on over to Ellson. Kansas City’s on the attack. Oh, how do you miss from there? Well, this is a tough miss, James. I think he might have rushed it or even panicked a little bit. Typically, he’s going to put the shot on target, but instead he misses. Here’s a short pass to Fagski. Now, a quick pass to Bishop. And down he goes as the puck goes free. Here they come on the attack down the right side. Oh, stops him with a glove. Great reflexes there. I really like to save James because he challenges the shooter who’s all alone in the slot area. He turns aside a real dangerous opportunity. Riptide’s been way more active here tonight on the ice and they have certainly capitalized on their opportunities and continue to lead in the third. Oh, he just got thunder struck. Well, he did. I mean, closing so quickly. No time and space there and just crushes him. What a [Applause] hit here in the back half of this period. San Diego’s got a three nothing lead. They have been in control right from the start. There’s a great save and an excellent chance there. Now over to Jacobs. They gain possession here. inside the neutral zone. Angle’s going to play it against the half wall. Picked up along the boards by Fishoff and that pass goes off a stick. Puck grabbed by Aen from the left side into the middle of the neutral zone. Moves it to the middle. Oh, he comes up with a stop. Works it across to Domigo. Takes the feed. Puts it on. Simple stop by. Moves the puck up to Seuss. And he’s knocked off the puck there. Slides it across and that’s blocked from someone in front and the puck’s kicked free. S plays it now into the middle of the neutral zone. Takes a shot. Oh, and he somehow got a little piece of it and it stays out of the net. Here they come down the left side on the attack. takes the pass. MC’s got it along the boards. Cutting to the slot and he decides to backtrack on a good looking opportunity. Rib Tides gain possession along the boards. Under a minute to go in the third. Here’s a shot. Scores and that’s for tonight. Well, the whole bench is rolling wide because they’re all getting bowls and apples at the stats tonight. You can feel the energy as they’re all standing up. They’ve gotten four in a row. Well, it’s obvious that the coach is visibly frustrated after that last goal. I mean, they just keep deflating as this game goes on and they can’t figure out a way to get out of it. The coach has to pull some punches, make some adjustments to see if he can get his team back in it. Rib times performance tonight still showing no signs of let up here in this third period. Well, they’ve had such a impressive performance, James. It’s been dominant in all areas of the ice and there’s been no lag or no let up. The message has been clear by the coaching staff as well as everyone on the bench. Keep pushing. Back to the point. It goes. Oh, that’s just on the side of the net. Well, this is a product of the game being so fast. James just wants to get rid of it and fires it wide. Shot just wide to the point. They set it up from the back of the cage with the puck. Play rolls on down the left wing and into the offensive zone. San Diego’s looking to break out of their own end. And as the final seconds tick off the clock, the home fans acknowledging what they just saw tonight. Great use of the body to knock him off the puck. Oh, he needed to make that save the time. And that’s all she wrote from this one here tonight. Cheryl the power up and locked in Timmy tonight. The goalender was outstanding in this one. pitching a shut out. James, it is critically important that you get the saves when you need them. But how about the structure defensively? They really tightened up and didn’t give much up. What a game. What an atmosphere. And they’re not done just yet. Here they come back out onto the ice. Oh, listen to it in here. I mean, it’s electric. They just love what they saw on the ice. And they’re getting a salute, a thank you, which has gone down as tradition for this team to be able to say, “Hey fans, you’ve been there all the way.” Well, I certainly had a great time. And from all of us here at EA Sports, I’m James Solski. Thanks so much for spending your time with us here this evening and we will see you at the next playoff [Applause] game. [Applause] Heat. Heat.
ABOUT THE NAHA: The North American Hockey Association (NAHA) was created in 2018 to provide professional hockey players (mainly players from the US and Canada) another option to play above the AHL level without having to travel overseas. The league drops the puck on its’ seventh season with 20 teams battling to win the Dunlap Cup.
Series Schedule
May 21 – Game 1 at San Diego
May 23 – Game 2 at San Diego
May 25 – Game 3 at Kansas City
May 27 – Game 4 at Kansas City
May 29 – Game 5 at San Diego (IF NEC)
May 31 – Game 6 at Kansas City (IF NEC)
June 2 – Game 7 at San Diego (IF NEC)
GAMEDAY ROSTERS
HALIFAX STAMPEDERS
Forwards: Louis Caporusso (23), Zac Dalpe (21), Aidan Dudas (14), Jack Dugan (11), Reid Gardner (19), Seth Griffith (39A), Dominik Kahun (24A), Ryan Kuffner (26), Luke Philp (17), Alan Quine (9), Ty Rattie (49), Justin Richards (44), Nolan Stevens (10)
Defensemen: Casey Fitzgerald (45C), Ben Harpur (5), Joe Hicketts (27), Josh Maniscalco (3), Joe Masonius (12), Dmitry Osipov(34), Mitchell Vande Sompel (8)
Goalies: Parker Gahagen (32), Maxime Legace (33), Chase Perry (35)
FLORIDA ROCKETS
Forwards: Anthony Angello (42), Sammy Blais (19A), Cameron Brace (86), Dave Gust (37), Nick Halloran (9), Sean Malone (73), Nikita Pavlychev (29), Nick Shore (27A), Spencer Smallman (14), Nathan Sucese (15), Nick Swaney (12), Chris Terry (10), Riley Woods (17)
Defensemen: Louis Belpedio (7), David Brickley (5), Connor Carrick (58C), Garret Cockerill (11), Cavan Fitzgerald (20), Christian Folin (2), Josh Jacobs (8)
Goalies: Christopher Gibson (31), Jake Kielly (30), Andrew Shortridge (32)
