Blizzard news
February 22, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
1. Preview:
(Alexandria, MN) Two games dotted the Minnesota Blizzard Junior Hockey schedule this past weekend. An emotional road victory Saturday night proved to be a highlight, as the Blizzard continued its chase for a first-ever post-season berth.
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2. Saturday:
was played in Bismarck. Minnesota has enjoyed some success there, compiling a 4-1 record versus the Bobcats at Bismarck this season, prior to Saturday's game. Neither team had the edge in regulation, so extra hockey was needed, to determine the winner. The Blizzard prevailed, 3-2, in a thrilling 11-round shoot-out. Both Minnesota goals in regulation were scored in the second period, and both came off the stick of Andrew Olson (Alexandria, MN). His first goal of the night came off a rebound, and it was his 7th of the season. Ryan Hawkins (Eden Prairie, MN) and Chris Johnson (Brooklyn Park, MN) assisted on the score. Olson's second goal of the evening wiped out a 2-1 Bismarck lead. He took the puck in the neutral zone, raced up the right side past a Bismarck defender, then angled in toward the slot area, slamming his shot past Bismarck net-minder Casey Moreland, in one of the prettier goals of the year. Johnson and Bobby Kuehl (St. Paul, MN) earned the assists on the game-tying score. The Blizzard peppered 40 shots on Moreland during regulation and overtime, while Minnesota goalie Marcus Paulson stopped 39 of 41 Bismarck shots, including a couple of outstanding saves in the five-minute overtime. The shoot-out that ensued was the longest that Minnesota had ever taken part in. Both goalies made terrific saves to lengthen the shoot-out past the normal five rounds. Tony Selvog (Warroad, MN) was Minnesota's second sniper in the shoot-out. He scored, but then seven Blizzard skaters in succession were stonewalled by Moreland. Bismarck's fourth shooter, Aaron Bendickson, deposited his shot in the net. Paulson then rose to the occasion, denying the next five Bismarck players. In Round 10 of the shoot-out, both teams got a score. Tim Manthey (Anoka, MN) briefly gave the Blizzard an edge, but Bismarck's Clay Rehm sent a backhander past Paulson, to create yet another deadlock. Sean Fish (Ramsey, MN) proved to be one of the Blizzard heroes in the shoot-out, as he scored in Round 11, to again give Minnesota the advantage. Paulson then made his biggest save of the night, blocking the shot by Bismarck's Ben Noah, to end the shoot-out. In what turned out to be a gritty performance by the Blizzard, they won the game, in spite of never leading in regulation play, then never falling behind, in the shoot-out marathon. By virtue of the shoot-out triumph, Minnesota extended its lead over the hard-charging Bobcats to four points, in the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot, in the NAHL West.
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3. Sunday:
As much of a high as the Blizzard may have gotten in Bismarck Saturday night, the team's 3-2 loss to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs the next night could be classified as a proverbial "downer". Andrew Olson again scored both goals in regulation (numbers 9 and 10 this season), but that would not be enough. Olson first period goal was on the power play, assisted by Dan Swanson (Menomonie, WI) and Chris Johnson. The Blizzard briefly took a 2-1 lead early in the final period, as Olson continued his weekend scoring tear. Defenseman Nick Peters (Eden Prairie, MN) assisted on the goal, which gave the Blizzard a 2-1 lead. The Ice Dogs countered, with two goals in a span of 1:16 of the final period, to surge past the Blizzard. Fairbanks completed its six-game road trip through Minnesota and North Dakota with a 3-2-1 record, with victories in the final three games. The Blizzard was out-shot in the contest, 43-34.
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4. Ahead for the Blizzard:
Another key game versus the Bismarck Bobcats this coming Saturday, February 26th. The Blizzard will try to hold off yet another challenge from the squad right below them in the NAHL Western Division playoff chase. Game time is 7:00 Saturday evening at the Runestone Community Center in Alexandria.
Make plans to be at the RCC this coming weekend, for Minnesota Blizzard Hockey! The atmosphere will be charged, with two teams fiercely battling for a spot in the post-season. If you only attend one Blizzard game this season, make it the one on Saturday night! It has been a history-making year for your Minnesota Blizzard. Be a part of the action, and watch history unfold (not to mention some intense, competitive, exciting Junior Hockey). Have a great week, and see you at the rink!
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2005
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- Blizzard news - Alexandria Blizzard
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