Port City added Center Chris Neurauter this off season in a trade with St Paul.  Port City paid a big price sending 2 first round picks to the Razorbacks.    To say the move has paid off is an understatement.  Neurauter registered 65 points in the first 44 games to lead all scorers in the league before suffering an injury on May 24.  Tonight marked his return to play and of course he had an assist to get right back into the action.  Neurauter now has 66 points just 9 back from league leader Keegan Ramkema despite missing those 14 games.   Can he get back on pace and recapture the lead?  

BOSTON, MA — The Massachusetts Militia gave the league’s top team all they could handle, but in the end, it wasn’t quite enough. Despite a spirited second-period rally and 37 saves from goaltender Andrew Wiewel, the Twisters escaped the Armed Forces Ice Palace with a 3–2 victory, further solidifying their place atop the LTLHL standings.

For the Militia, it was a night filled with grit and resilience — but also a reminder of the razor-thin margin between contender and elite.

Early Punch, Middle Surge, Late Fade

The Twisters wasted no time showing why they’re the league’s measuring stick, striking less than two minutes into the game as Daulton Millar finished off a slick feed from Jody Larose and Newton Dee. The Militia were outshot 15–9 in the opening frame and trailed 1–0 after 20 minutes.

That lead doubled early in the second period when Blaize Bremer beat Wiewel with a low wrister, putting Boston on its heels. But the Militia weren’t going down quietly.

Just past the halfway mark of the period, Donald Cloud ignited the home crowd with a beautiful finish off a setup from Amadeus Helm and Nichlas Bjorklund. Less than six minutes later,  sniper Jimmy Ruddell buried the equalizer, tying the game 2–2 and sending a jolt through the Ice Palace.

Unfortunately for the home side, that would be the last crack in Ash Galvin’s armor.

Third Period Turns the Tide

With the game tied entering the final frame, both teams traded chances, but it was the Twisters who capitalized. At 10:35, Eddie Schmidtke cashed in on a clean passing play from Larose and Cruz Dupont, regaining the lead for good.

The Militia pressed late, generating 10 third-period shots, but Galvin stood tall, finishing with 30 saves on 32 shots (.938 save percentage) to earn his 28th win of the season.

Standouts & Storylines

Jody Larose was named the game’s first star, tallying three assists and driving play throughout the night.

Wiewel was once again stellar in net, stopping 37 of 40 shots in a losing effort and keeping the Militia in the game.

Bjorklund quietly had a two-assist night and now sits at 14 on the season.

The Militia were outshot 40–32 overall but held the Twisters to just one goal per period — a small victory in itself against a team averaging nearly four per game.

What This Loss Means

While it goes down as a regulation loss in the standings, this game felt closer than the final score suggests. The Militia proved they can hang with the LTLHL’s best, especially when they play with structure, urgency, and discipline.

But moral victories don’t count in the playoff race.

Looking Ahead

With the regular season ticking down, the Militia (now 28-20-8) need to convert close efforts into points. The foundation is there — strong goaltending, emerging chemistry on the second line, and recent offensive depth from players like Ruddell and Cloud.

The question is whether they can turn these positives into momentum.

Final Score:
Twisters 3 – Militia 2
📍 Armed Forces Ice Palace – Boston, MA

📊 Shots: Twisters 40 | Militia 32
🏅 3 Stars:

Jody Larose (TWI)

Olof Strand (TWI)

Daulton Millar (TWI)

BOSTON, MA — The Armed Forces Ice Palace is set for a clash of titans tonight as the Massachusetts Militia host the league-leading and inaugural season champion Twisters in what promises to be one of the most compelling matchups of the season.

The stakes are high, the atmosphere electric, and for the Militia, this is more than just another game — it’s a litmus test against the best.

A Tale of Two Teams

The Twisters enter the contest as the top team in the entire LTLHL with a 40-12-4 record, commanding the West Coast Division with a league-best 84 points. They boast an impressive +44 goal differential, averaging a consistent 3.86 goals per game while keeping opponents largely at bay.

The Militia, meanwhile, are hovering around the middle of the Eastern Conference standings with a 28–19–8 mark and 64 points. While their record may suggest slight mediocrity, this is a team that has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly on offense, where they’re averaging over three goals per game themselves.

Key Matchup Factors

Offensive Firepower

The Militia will need to strike early and often. Their success this season has largely come when they dictate the pace and get pucks deep. If their top line can generate sustained pressure, they might just catch the Twisters off guard.

Defensive Discipline

On the flip side, the Militia must tighten up defensively. They’ve given up nearly as many goals as they’ve scored, and against a Twisters squad loaded with talent and structure, any lapse could be fatal.

Special Teams Battle

Special teams could tilt the scales in this one. The Twisters' power play is a well-oiled machine, and if the Militia can’t stay out of the penalty box — or fail to capitalize on their own man advantages — the scoreboard could reflect it in a hurry.

Home Ice Advantage?

The Militia are only 14-10-4 at home, a mark that doesn’t scream dominance. But a packed house at the Ice Palace and the energy of playing the #1 team in the league might just give them the emotional edge they need.

Why This Game Matters

For the Twisters, this is about maintaining momentum and solidifying their claim as the league’s premier team heading toward the playoffs.

For the Militia, this is about pride — and proving they can hang with the league’s elite. A win tonight would be more than just two points; it would be a statement.

Puck Drop Details

When: Tonight

Where: Armed Forces Ice Palace, Boston, MA

Matchup: #1 Twisters vs. #8 Militia

What’s at stake: Momentum, pride, and a potential turning point for the Militia’s season

Prediction

It’s David vs. Goliath in every sense. The Twisters have the stats, the depth, and the experience. But the Militia have something else — nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Don’t be surprised if the underdogs from Boston make this one a lot more interesting than the standings suggest.

In a notable mid-season transaction, the Massachusetts Militia and the Saint Paul Razorbacks have agreed to a one-for-one trade: the Militia acquire right winger Osma Gullfors, while the Razorbacks receive left winger Marcello Kay. This exchange aims to address specific team needs and inject fresh energy into both rosters.

🔁 Trade Overview

To Massachusetts Militia: Osma Gullfors (RW, Age 26)

To Saint Paul Razorbacks: Marcello Kay (LW, Age 25)

📊 Player Profiles

Osma Gullfors

Position: Right Wing

Age: 26

Height/Weight: 5'6", 179 lbs

Drafted: Year 1, 11th round, 247th overall

Contract: 2 years remaining, $1.137M cap hit

2025 Season Stats: 46 GP, 16 G, 18 A, 34 PTS, -7 +/-

Key Attributes: Exceptional puck handling (PH 96), endurance (EN 96), and shooting accuracy (SC 77)

Gullfors brings a dynamic offensive presence to the Militia, known for his agility and playmaking abilities. His high endurance and puck control make him a valuable asset for sustained offensive pressure.

Marcello Kay

Position: Left Wing

Age: 25

Height/Weight: 6'1", 183 lbs

Drafted: Year 1, 7th round, 160th overall

Contract: 3 years remaining, $2.5M cap hit

2025 Season Stats: 37 GP, 7 G, 7 A, 14 PTS, +12 +/-

Key Attributes: Strong defensive skills (DF 90), checking (CK 86), and scoring (SC 89)

Kay offers the Razorbacks a robust two-way game, combining defensive reliability with offensive potential. His physicality and defensive acumen are expected to bolster the Razorbacks' lineup.

🔍 Strategic Implications

For the Massachusetts Militia: The acquisition of Gullfors aims to enhance the team's offensive depth and creativity. His playmaking skills are anticipated to complement the Militia's existing forward lines, potentially leading to increased scoring opportunities.

For the Saint Paul Razorbacks: Kay's addition is a strategic move to strengthen the team's defensive capabilities on the wing. His experience and physical style of play are expected to add grit and stability to the Razorbacks' forward group.

📅 Looking Ahead

Both players are expected to integrate into their new teams promptly, with coaches and fans eager to see how their unique skill sets will impact team performance. This trade reflects both organizations' commitment to addressing team needs and striving for competitive excellence in the LTLHL.

For detailed player statistics and profiles:

Osma Gullfors Profile

Marcello Kay Profile

First up, winger Valentin Lokhanov now becomes the Trident highest paid player as he signed a 5 year, 4.5M aav contract. Then all-stars Pfeffer and Shibahara both signed 4 year deals (3.7M for Pfeffer and 3.2 for Shibahara). Peltokangas also signed a 5 year deal for 2.8M aav and young goaltender Daulton Gammond inked a 3 year, 1.995M aav contract. 

"Of course we would've liked to sign Pfeffer to a 5 year deal, but with his great recent play and his all-star nomination, the 5 year deal was not appealing from his point of view and we understand that. We love him here in Miami so we agreed on a 4 year term instead. Shibahara is proably the best goaltender this year and he proved that he was the real deal, that he is part of the league's elite. He is a major part of our success this season and he more than earned his new contract. For Gammond, we firmly believe he has #1 potential but we dont want to put him in a spot that might hinder his development. We want him to be shelterd behind Shibahara for the next few years and play a 1B role, that is why we both agreed for a 3 year "bridge-deal" with him."

Next season, points leader Jarred Kennelly (46pts in 45GP), 2nd overall pick Silvan Haslebacher and defensemen Loren Converse will all need to be resigned. Hopefully the Trident will be able to keep them all with the newly announced 59M salary cap.