Blizzard win two extra-session thrillers at home
October 21, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
The Minnesota Blizzard Junior "A" Hockey team capped off a successful weekend, with two wins on home ice. The victories put the Blizzard at two games over .500 heading into the NAHL Showcase this coming weekend in Blaine, MN.
The weekend started off Friday, with a 4-3 Minnesota triumph at Bismarck. The Blizzard grabbed a 3-1 advantage after one period, with power play goals by Forward Sean Fish (Ramsey, MN) and Defenseman Paul Henderson (Menomonie, WI), sandwiched around an even-strength goal by defenseman Mark Horbacz (Mora, MN). The Bobcats attempted to comeback in the final period, but could never tie the game. A third period goal by Rylan Galiardi (Calgary, AB, Canada) proved decisive for the Blizzard. Clay Nestor (Glenwood, MN) earned his first Junior Hockey win in the nets, as he stopped 37 Bismarck shots.
Saturday's home opener for the Blizzard was close throughout, as neither Minnesota nor Helena led by more than one goal. Forwards Ryan Hawkins (Eden Prairie, MN), Andrew Olson (Alexandria, MN), Sean Fish, and Josh Frider (Moorhead, MN) all scored in regulation play. The outcome of the contest was settled just 67 seconds into overtime, when Fish buried the game-winner, for his second goal of the night. Minnesota out-shot Helena, 26-23 in the contest. This marked Minnesota's first triumph over the Bighorns on home ice in franchise history. Helena won all four contests at Minnesota, in 2003-04.
The Blizzard had to rally from behind Sunday, against the Bismarck Bobcats, to force overtime. A goal by Shawn Bitzan (Alexandria, MN) with just under four minutes to go in regulation tied the game, 2-2. Rylan Galiardi and Ryan Hawkins assisted on the tying goal. Earlier in the final period, Hawkins tallied his third goal of the year, to get the Blizzard on the board, with Andrew Olson and Joey Eichstadt (Bemidji, MN) assisting. After a scoreless overtime, the two teams each had four shots in the shootout. Hawkins and Galiardi each scored for the Blizzard in the shootout, while Minnesota netminder Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, MN), kept the Bobcats off the board.
Ahead for the Blizzard: Four games in as many days, October 20-23, in the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN. This year, the Showcase will also include teams from the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL). The Blizzard will play another NAHL squad, Wichita Falls at 2:00 PM Wednesday, at the Schwan's Super Rink. Minnesota's games the next three days will be versus teams from the EJHL. The Blizzard will play Green Mountain (VT), at 2:00 Thursday afternoon, then face Bay State (MA) at 12:30 Friday afternoon. The Capital District Selects (NY) will oppose the Blizzard, Saturday morning at 10:30.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 21, 2004
- Phantoms Win Again at NAHL Showcase - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Six-point weekend lifts Toledo's Scalici to Sher-Wood NAHL Offensive Player of the Week - Alpena IceDiggers
- Kaufmann's two wins earn Sherwood-NAHL Defensive Player of the Week honor - Fairbanks Ice Dogs
- Huna brothers league Bobcats to 1-1-1 weekend - Bismarck Bobcats
- Blizzard win two extra-session thrillers at home - Alexandria Blizzard
- Another pair of wins for Jets - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Wildcats sweep Marshals - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- 2004 NAHL Showcase is on - NAHL
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