Blizzard Defeat Stars on 17th Shootout Attempt
September 22, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
BLAINE - It took 60 minutes of regulation play, a five-minute overtime session, and 17 shootout attempts but the Alexandria Blizzard finally earned their first 'W' of the season.
It was Lane Bitz's shootout score that made the difference as the Blizzard skated away from the NAHL Showcase with a 3-2 win over the Traverse City North Stars Sunday evening. Bitz was the 17th and final shooter for Alexandria before the process would have begun all over again. Bitz beat goalie Brandon Stephenson low to the stick side for the victory.
Trailing 2-1 in the third period, the Blizzard tied the game at the 14-minute mark on Mikael Lickteig's snap shot from between the faceoff circles. A hooking penalty on Traverse City's Matt Hughes at 19:59 of the third enabled the Blizzard to enter overtime with a 4-on-3 man advantage.
Despite multiple scoring opportunities, the Blizzard could not put the game away. That forced the shootout, normally a five-man contest. This time around, however, it took 17 shooters per team before the game was decided by Bitz's goal and Ryan Leets' save off Chris Heineman.
Noah Nemgar had the other Alexandria goal. Sabastian Kimmel and Joe Greener scored for Traverse City. The North Stars are now 2-0-2 on the season. The victory was the Blizzard's first of the season after three straight Showcase losses. Alexandria will return to action Friday and Saturday in Fargo, ND.
North American Hockey League Stories from September 22, 2007
- Blizzard Defeat Stars on 17th Shootout Attempt - Alexandria Blizzard
- Maginnis Stops 37 as Outlaws Fall to Alpena - North Iowa Outlaws
- U.S. Nat'l U-18 Team Tops Southern Minn., 2-1, in OT - U.S. National Team
- Stars rock Alaska, 6-1 - Traverse City North Stars
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