Blizzard splits pair, remains in NAHL West playoff chase
February 23, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
This past weekend, the Minnesota Blizzard experienced a gamut of emotions in splitting the two games on the schedule. A hard-fought, emotional win on the road Saturday evening was followed by a one-goal loss on the home ice, which prevented Minnesota from gaining ground on the West Division co-leaders, Billings and Fargo-Moorhead.
Minnesota continued its season-long success versus Bismarck Saturday evening, with a 3-2 triumph that was settled in an 11-round shoot-out. Andrew Olson (Alexandria, MN) scored both of Minnesota's goals in regulation play. The first goal for Olson came on assists from Ryan Hawkins (Eden Prairie, MN) and Chris Johnson (Brooklyn Park, MN). The second Olson score occurred late in the middle stanza, with assists given to Johnson and Bobby Kuehl (St. Paul, MN). Neither team scored in the third period or in the five-minute overtime, as both goalies, Minnesota's Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, MN) and Bismarck's Casey Moreland, shined between the pipes. Paulson withstood heavy Bismarck pressure in the overtime, coming up with a couple of key stops.
The goalies continued to put on a show in the shoot-out, with an assortment of stick saves, chest blocks and glove saves. In the first five rounds, Minnesota's second shooter, Tony Selvog (Warroad, MN) scored, as did Bismarck's fourth sniper, Aaron Bendickson. It took until Round 10 for any further tallies in the shoot-out, when the Blizzard's Tim Manthey (Anoka, MN) and Bismarck's Clay Rehm scored.
But the Blizzard countered in the next round, with Sean Fish (Ramsey, MN) slamming a wrist shot past Moreland. Paulson then stonewalled the Bobcats' Ben Noah, and the Blizzard took home the win. Minnesota now has a 9-3 record versus Bismarck this season.
Sunday evening, Minnesota could not hold a third period lead, as Fairbanks rallied for its third straight win, by a 3-2 score. Olson found the back of the net for the second straight night, for his ninth and 10th goals of the season. His second goal of the game briefly put Minnesota ahead, 2-1 in the final canto. But Fairbanks scored the tying and winning goals 1:16 apart later in the period, to secure the comeback win.
Sunday's loss leaves the Blizzard with a 24-20-4 record, for 52 points, with eight regular season games remaining. The Blizzard trails both Fargo-Moorhead and Billings by nine points for top honors in the West Division. Third place Helena is five points in front of Minnesota.
Ahead for the Blizzard: A game with playoff implications (and high intensity) will take place at the Runestone Community Center in Alexandria this Saturday, February 26, when the Blizzard hosts Bismarck. Game time is 7:00 pm. Both the Blizzard and the Bobcats are jockeying for a spot in the playoffs, which begin in approximately one month.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 23, 2005
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- Bulls tie for first with top spot on the line this week - Billings Bulls
- Blizzard splits pair, remains in NAHL West playoff chase - Alexandria Blizzard
- Rookie Johnson headed to Dartmouth - Springfield Jr. Blues
- BAck to back shutouts earn Russell NAHL Defensive Player of the Week - NAHL
- Home games this weekend more important than ever - Texas Tornado
- Dog Pound Weekly - Bozeman Icedogs
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