Bandits celebrate banner weekend

December 17, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release

With the NAHL Midget Showcase Series in town last weekend, the St. Louis Bandits took center stage to commemorate their 2007 national title with a ring and banner presentation highlighted by a two-game series against the Central Division-leading North Iowa Outlaws.

"Anytime you have a special event to honor a championship with a number of people from the league, colleges, the NHL and amateur hockey in attendance, you don't want to go out and lay an egg," said Bandits coach-GM Jon Cooper.

St. Louis did anything but, knocking off the Outlaws twice, starting with a 4-1 win on Friday. Mike Merrifield struck for two goals, including the game-winner, in that contest, while goaltender Cal Heeter turned aside 36 shots.

The next night, with St. Louis Blues defenseman Erik Johnson on hand to present the championship rings, the Bandits skated to another 4-1 victory. Ben Miller and Kyle O'Kane both recorded a goal and an assist for St. Louis, while Heeter and Mike Johnson combined to stop 43 shots.

"I think it was a good measuring stick for us," said Cooper, whose team holds a league-best 21-5-1 record. "We've been playing a number of solid teams that are at the top of their divisions and to take points from a team like North Iowa is great for our confidence."

The Bandits have been getting exceptional play from their veterans of late, in particular O'Kane, Ben Warda, Mike Leone, Sam Bozoian and Mike Murray.

"They've all started to elevate their play on the ice as well as their leadership and we're going to need that in the second half if we want to stay where we are in an extremely tough and competitive North Division," said Cooper.

The Bandits are also going to need continued clutch performances from their goaltending tandem of Heeter and Johnson. Both have 10 wins on the season with save percentages north of .900.

"We've been very fortunate over the years to have solid goaltending and this year has been no different," said Cooper, whose team won its national championship last season with NAHL Rookie of the Year Pat Nagle between the pipes. "You can have 18 all-stars upfront, but if a team doesn't have confidence in its goaltending, it's hard to win games.

"Our team thrives off of those two and I can't imagine where we'd be without them."

With only five players returning from last year's national championship team, Cooper wouldn't have bet the farm his team would be sitting atop the entire league halfway through the season, but he certainly isn't complaining.

"The 18 new guys have really rallied around our success the past few years and challenged themselves not to be the proverbial 'rebuilding-year team,'" said Cooper. "I couldn't ask any more out of them, they've been a great group to coach."

And for a program boasting a long line of players in the high-level college ranks, this recruiting year should be no different. Three Bandits have already committed to Division I schools - Andrew Hamburg (Colorado College), Bozoian (Harvard) and Mike Hull (Army) - with plenty more to follow, according to Cooper.

"I know what type of players we have, and, like previous years, we'll have 12-15 commitments when were done."

Just like last year, St. Louis' season will end at the Robertson Cup Championship. The Bandits receive an automatic bid to the four-team tournament, which crowns USA Hockey's Tier II Junior A national champion, as hosts.

"Our big thing is not to burn out," said Cooper. "It's been great playing a lot of top teams in the league because of our unbalanced schedule and that can only help us as we move forward."

STANDINGS/LEADERS

North Division

TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA

St. Louis 27 21-5-1 43 .796 117 74

Mahoning Valley 29 18-8-3 39 .672 116 86

Marquette 28 16-10-2 34 .607 102 101

Alpena 28 15-12-1 31 .554 88 88

USNTDP 30 14-14-2 30 .500 105 108

Traverse City 25 10-10-5 25 .500 75 86

South Division

TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA

Fairbanks 30 19-9-2 40 .667 84 62

Wichita Falls 28 19-8-1 39 .696 98 79

Topeka 25 15-7-3 33 .660 78 58

Alaska 28 13-14-1 27 .482 81 103

Kenai River 29 6-17-6 18 .310 75 126

Texas 30 7-20-3 17 .283 70 107

Central Division

TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA

North Iowa 25 18-6-1 37 .740 91 54

Springfield 29 16-10-3 35 .603 108 91

So. Minnesota 28 14-9-5 33 .589 107 104

Bismarck 28 11-15-2 24 .429 77 99

Fargo-Moorhead 27 10-15-2 22 .407 90 104

Alexandria 24 7-15-2 16 .333 80 112

LEADING SCORERS

PLAYER TEAM P GP G A PTS

Walters, Shea NIO F 25 12 32 44

Graham, Derek MVY F 29 23 20 43

Cardwell, Adam WIC F 26 17 26 43

Salazar, Luke WIC F 28 17 21 38

Warda, Ben STL F 27 8 28 36

Everett, Grant WIC F 27 12 23 35

Pietila, Aaron MAR F 28 14 20 34

OKane, Kyle STL F 24 20 13 33

Bozoian, Sam STL F 26 11 22 33

Peterson, Erik ALP F 26 8 25 33

LEADING GOALTENDERS

PLAYER TEAM GPI MINS W-L-OTL GAA SPCT

Reichard, Cody FBX 26 1540:50 16-9-0 1.95 .936

Moss, Robby NIO 20 1197:57 16-3-1 1.95 .938

Merriam, Bryce TPK 22 1330:15 12-7-3 2.17 .907

Jarboe, Mike WIC 24 1426:13 16-6-1 2.48 .921

Johnson, Mike STL 14 788:30 10-2-1 2.51 .905

GOALS

PLAYER TEAM P GP G Graham, Derek MVY F 29 23

OKane, Kyle STL F 24 20

(two players tied with 17)

ASSISTS

PLAYER TEAM POS GP A

Walters, Shea NIO F 25 32

Warda, Ben STL F 27 28

(two players tied with 26)

PLUS/MINUS

PLAYER TEAM POS GP +/-

Jundt, Tyler NIO D 25 +19

Niemann, Harrison TNS F 23 +18

Gens, Aaron TPK D 24 +17

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

North Division: Jimmy McCusker - Alpena IceDiggers

Alpena forward Jimmy McCusker struck for two goals and an assist last weekend as the IceDiggers skated to a two-game sweep over Marquette. On Friday, the 18-year-old notched two goals in a 3-2 overtime win. The next night, the Novi, Mich., native assisted on Issac Vaiu's game-winning goal as Alpena downed the Rangers, 6-1.

"Jimmy is our leader and he leads by example," said IceDiggers coach-GM Kenny Miller. "He really stepped up his game last weekend. He plays with passion every night and it's nice to see him get rewarded."

HONORABLE MENTION: St. Louis goaltender Cal Heeter and U.S. Under-17 Team forward Kenny Ryan

Central Division: Jordy Trottier - Fargo-Moorhead Jets

Fargo-Moorhead forward Jordy Trottier tallied five assists last weekend as the Jets picked up three of four points in two games against Alexandria. On Friday, the 19-year-old had a hand in two goals in a 5-4 overtime loss. On Sunday, the Bozeman, Mont., native assisted on three more markers, including Marc Harrie's game-winning goal, as Fargo-Moorhead snapped its eight-game losing streak with a 5-3 triumph over the Blizzard. He was also a plus-4 for the weekend.

"Jordy seems to always align himself with the play in front of him and makes good decisions on the ice, especially when we need them most," said Jets assistant coach Aaron Kinslow.

HONORABLE MENTION: Fargo-Moorhead defenseman Brandon Bukowski; Southern Minnesota forward Ben Beaudoin

South Division: Cody Reichard - Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Fairbanks goaltender Cody Reichard backstopped the Ice Dogs to a pair of victories over Alaska last weekend, turning aside 68 of 69 shots. On Friday, the 20-year-old posted his league-leading fifth shutout of the season in a 2-0 win (32 saves). The next night, the Celina, Ohio, native stopped 36 shots as the Ice Dogs doubled up the Avalanche, 2-1.

"Cody continues to prove himself as one of the top goaltenders in the entire league," said Ice Dogs assistant coach Josh Hauge. "We wouldn't be having the success we are this season without him."

HONORABLE MENTION: Topeka goaltender Bryce Merriam; Wichita Falls forward Adam Cardwell and goaltender Mike Jarboe

LAST WEEK'S SCORES/HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, December 14

Fairbanks 2 @ Alaska 0 (FBX: Reichard, 32 saves)

Fargo-Moor. 4 @ Alexandria 5 (SO) (ALX: Bahnemann, 2G, SOG, +1)

Marquette 2 @ Alpena 3 (OT) (ALP: McCusker, 2G)

Bismarck 1 @ Southern Minnesota 4 (SM: Beaudoin, G, GWG, +2)

North Iowa 1 @ St. Louis 4 (STL: Heeter, 36 saves)

Wichita Falls 3 @ Texas 2 (WF: Sponseller, G, GWG, A, +3)

Springfield 1 @ Topeka 2 (SO) (TOP: Merriam, 18 saves)

USNTDP 6 @ Traverse City 2 (USA: Bourque, GWG)

Saturday, December 15

Fairbanks 2 @ Alaska 1 (FBX: Waggoner, G, A, +1)

Alpena 6 @ Marquette 1 (ALP: Viau, GWG, A, +2)

Bismarck 4 @ Southern Minnesota 6 (SM: Falk, 2G, +1)

North Iowa 1 @ St. Louis 4 (STL: Miller, G, A, +2)

Wichita Falls 6 @ Texas 2 (WF: 2G, GWG, A, +4)

Springfield 1 @ Topeka 3 (TOP: Seckel, 2A, +1)

USNTDP 2 @ Traverse City 3 (TC: Niemann, 2G, +1)

Sunday, December 16

Fargo-Moorhead 5 @ Alexandria 3 (FM: Trottier, 3A, +2)

AROUND THE NAHL

MISSION, MERCER CROWNED MIDGET CHAMPS: Chicago Mission (U18) and the Mercer (N.J.) Chiefs (U16) were crowned champions of the season's second NAHL Midget Showcase Series event held last weekend at The Summit Center in Chesterfield, Mo.

LITKE RESIGNS: Dane Litke resigned as Bismarck's head coach. He was replaced by Byron Pool, who accepted the position of interim head coach. Pool was serving as the Bobcats' assistant coach under Litke.

MERRIAM PACES ROADRUNNERS: Topeka goaltender Bryce Merriam, 19, backstopped the RoadRunners to a two-game sweep over Springfield last weekend, allowing only two goals in two starts. Topeka has won 10 of its last 12 games.

CARDWELL KEEP CRUSING: Adam Cardwell, 20, continues to shine offensively, racking up three more goals, including his league-leading sixth game-winner of the season, and two assists in two Wildcat wins over Texas last weekend. "Adam was great for us, both offensively and defensively," said Wildcats coach-GM John Bowkus. "He competes hard and is doing everything a true captain should do to help his team be successful."

COLLEGES CALLING: Wichita Falls goaltender Mike Jarboe, 19, picked up his league-leading 15th and 16th wins of the season last weekend against Texas, allowing only four goals on 70 shots. "He has lots of schools recruiting him and I feel that whoever gets him will see him becoming the No. 1 go-to guy very quickly," said Wildcats coach-GM John Bowkus.

CAMPER HONORED BY CCHA: University of Miami-Ohio freshman forward Carter Camper (Cleveland Jr. Barons, 2004-06) was named the CCHA Rookie of the Week after scoring three goals and two asssists in two Redhawk victories last weekend.

COOL HAND LUKE: With a goal and two assists in Sunday's 5-3 loss to Fargo-Moorhead, Alexandria forward Luke Nesper, 20, extended his point-scoring steak to nine games (17 points).

ON THE FAST TRACK: Southern Minnesota forward Ben Beaudoin, 20, added to his team-leading point totals last weekend with two goals and two assists in the Express' two-game sweep of Bismarck.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, December 19

Kenai River @ Alaska, 7:00 pm

Friday, December 21

Kenai River @ Alaska, 7:00 pm

Traverse City @ Alpena, 7:00 pm

USNTDP @ Mahoning Valley, 7:15 pm

St. Louis @ Springfield, 7:30 pm

Texas @ Wichita Falls, 7:00 pm

Saturday, December 22

Kenai River @ Alaska, 7:00 pm

USNTDP @ Mahoning Valley, 7:15 pm

Springfield @ St. Louis, 7:15 pm

Alpena @ Traverse City, 7:05 pm

Texas @ Wichita Falls, 7:00 pm

(all times local)

North American Hockey League Stories from December 17, 2007

• Bandits celebrate banner weekend - NAHL
• Wildcats Blow Past Tornado - Wichita Falls Wildcats
• Jets weekly - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
• Trottier and Bukowski Named Jets Players of the Week - Fargo-Moorhead Jets

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