CHICAGO - In the battle to decide who advances to the quarter finals on Thursday, the Monroe Avalanche ran into - and fell - to powerful Des Moines, 9-2.
The Avalanche put up a hard fight but just didn't have the depth. Des Moines had a full bench of 20 players and used them all to their advantage. With the period lengths at 17 minutes for the national title games, Monroe's 12 players were just not quite enough.
Des Moines took the lead at 6:28 of the first period on a power-play goal. Monroe would answer 30 seconds later with Jason Johnson scoring an unassisted goal. Des Moines would score with 2:37 left in the first, for a 2-1 lead headed into the second.
Des Moines kept up the pressure and scored three more goals in the second for a 5-1 lead. Monroe thought it had scored late in the second to close to 5-2, but the goal was not counted.
The Avalanche came out hard in the first four minutes of the third and with Kramer Henning scoring on an assist by Ron Draves. However, soon the depth of Des Moines started to wear the Avalanche down. Kyle Bruce faced 60 shots in goal, saving 51.
Friday's game in the bracket will be for a chance to finish second.
The Avalanche put up a hard fight but just didn't have the depth. Des Moines had a full bench of 20 players and used them all to their advantage. With the period lengths at 17 minutes for the national title games, Monroe's 12 players were just not quite enough.
Des Moines took the lead at 6:28 of the first period on a power-play goal. Monroe would answer 30 seconds later with Jason Johnson scoring an unassisted goal. Des Moines would score with 2:37 left in the first, for a 2-1 lead headed into the second.
Des Moines kept up the pressure and scored three more goals in the second for a 5-1 lead. Monroe thought it had scored late in the second to close to 5-2, but the goal was not counted.
The Avalanche came out hard in the first four minutes of the third and with Kramer Henning scoring on an assist by Ron Draves. However, soon the depth of Des Moines started to wear the Avalanche down. Kyle Bruce faced 60 shots in goal, saving 51.
Friday's game in the bracket will be for a chance to finish second.
