Bozeman Icedogs' Dog Pound Weekly

Published on November 3, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


If at first you don't succeed, be glad you get another chance the following week. After starting last weekend off in promising fashion with a 7-4 win over the visiting Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Friday, the Bozeman ICEDOGS headed into Billings for a two game series against the Bulls only to drop both games and finish the weekend 1-2.

Saturday's game was a 2-1 loss followed by a 3-1 loss on Sunday. This weekend the ICEDOGS will get a chance at revenge as the Bulls swing by the Valley Ice Garden on November 5th for a rematch, followed by another game against Fairbanks on Saturday. "Last Saturday was frustrating," said ICEDOGS' Head Coach John LaFontaine. "Had we taken the two games in Billings, we'd be sitting here talking about how we're 8-3, and we'd have a lot of positives. Instead we didn't capitalize on the situation and those two losses definitely set us back."

LaFontaine says that his team's biggest problems lie in their inconsistency and inability to maintain a tight defense. These two factors don't bode well for the ICEDOGS' chances against a Billings team that prides itself on size and strength. "With teams like Billings you have to focus on beating them along the boards," said LaFontaine. "That's always our focus in practice, getting our guys to play with grit." Despite the ICEDOGS shortcomings on size, LaFontaine says that his team will see a lot of success if they start using their own assets - speed and smart play. "We have a fast team and we need to start beating the bigger teams with our speed."

With hope that his team can put those elements together for a full 60 minutes, LaFontaine thinks the outcome of this weekend's game against Billings at the Valley Ice Garden will be much different. "Were a better team than how we played last weekend, and we'll be looking to prove it next Saturday."

Last Friday the ICEDOGS looked like a team ready to steamroll through the rest of the weekend, scoring early and often against a road-weary Fairbanks team that has been playing well of late. Showing the same depth that made them a success at the NAHL showcase in Minnesota, Bozeman got goals from 6 different players in the win. Forward Mike McMillan led the effort with 2 goals and an assist. "Fairbanks is a legitimate team, and I think we were catching them in the middle of a long road trip," said LaFontaine. "Regardless, there were a lot of positives for us to take out of that game."

Saturday's game in Billings wasn't as easy to swallow. The game featured 50 total minutes worth of penalties from both teams. Billings jumped out to an early lead with an Anthony Cosmano goal less then two minutes into the game, and the Bulls held the lead until late in the second period when the ICEDOGS' Filip Macejka scored a power-play goal to tie things up. However, as the penalties started piling up, the ICEDOGS found themselves on the defensive for the rest of the game and were unable to stage any attempt at taking the lead. Cosmano added another goal late in the game on a power-play to give Billings the win.

ICEDOGS goaltender Matt Cleveland stopped 43 of 45 shots in the loss. Although he refused to lay blame on anyone but his team, Lafontaine still felt the officiating played a role in the outcome. "There was no flow to that game, and that really hurt us," he said. Sunday's game wasn't any kinder to the ICEDOGS, who gave up a number of odd-man rushes in the 3-1 loss. "We had trouble holding the blue line and the forwards weren't bailing out the defense much," LaFontaine said.

The ICEDOGS have back-to-back games this Friday and Saturday against the Billings Bulls and Fairbanks Ice Dogs! Both games begin at 7:05 pm. This weekend's games are brought to you by 45 Degrees North and Town & Country Foods.

Tuesday, November 12th is Coaches' Corner at Bennigan's Restaurant from 5:30 to 7:30. Come meet the ICEDOGS' players and coaches, and win prizes from 95.1-FM The Moose.

Next weekend, Darigold brings you Family Night! The ICEDOGS take on the Helena Bighorns, so let's get the rink rockin' as we try to beat the 'Horns for the first time at home this season. Four tickets, four Pepsis and one popcorn can be purchased for $25, plus enjoy the FREE post- game skate with the ICEDOGS!

Spotlight on Filip Macejka #23

Filip joined the ICEDOGS right before the NAHL Showcase Tournament, and instantly became an impact player. Filip played for two seasons with the Bismarck Bobcats, but came to Bozeman because he knew that the ICEDOGS had the best chance in the league to help him earn a college scholarship. Filip is a native of Slovakia.

What skills do you bring to the ICEDOGS? The biggest skill I bring is being a playmaker. What skills do you want to improve? I want everything to improve. What sports do you play other than hockey? I like to play soccer and tennis. Who are your favorite players? I like Jagr for his playmaking and Bondra because of his work ethic. Why Did You Start Playing Hockey? My dad got me started when I was really young. What do you want to be remembered for by ICEDOGS' fans? I would like to be remembered for my personality and play on the ice. What is your pre-game routine? Sleep is the most important thing before a game. Before I leave from the locker room, I kiss my cross necklace from my Grandma, and fish necklace from my girlfriend.

If you received $100 cash as a gift, what would you do with it? Buy a present for someone. If you were granted any three wishes, what would you request? Health and luck for my family and to always be happy.

What are five words people would use to describe you? People would describe me as honest, funny crazy, and friendly. Have you ever been a part of a championship team in another sport, if so what sport and when? No. What do like most about Bozeman? So far, the team chemistry is great!

A Little Hockey Humor

A Red Wings fan and a Blues fan were walking along one day and found a bottle. The Blues fan picked it up and a genie appeared. The genie said he would grant each a wish that would benefit the city of their favorite team. He asked the Wings fan first who stated "Seeing how we've won two Stanley Cups in a row and are so much better than everyone else, I would like to have a wall around Detroit so that we don't have to associate with those that are of lower stature." The genie granted his request. He then went to the Blues fan for his wish to benefit the city of St. Louis. The Blues fan studied a minute and then said to the genie, "Tell me about that wall." The genie replied, "The wall is 150 feet tall, 50 feet thick and totally indestructible." The Blues fan said, "Fill that baby up with water."

Zak McClellan Face Challenges & Rewards At Michigan State

College life at MSU is everything I could have asked for in a college experience. Not only is the hockey program rated in the top ten in the country, a lot of the other sports on campus are competing for the national championship every year. This helps everyone on campus overfill with pride, and it is an honor to be a part of it.

Judging my first month and a half of being on the ice, the jump is huge from juniors to college. Those who come through the ICEDOGS organization are very lucky. Coach LaFontaine is a great coach, so far the best coach I have had. He really prepared me for the transition, and it didn't seem to be as big as what it was for other players. Coach LaFontaine's demanding practices and requiring a lot out of his players are paying big dividends now. One thing that has been a big adjustment though is the level of the players. We have ten or more NHL draft picks on our team and probably another three future draft picks. So there is never someone you look at and think, "Oh I can take this guy for sure." Everyone now has very little weaknesses, so that makes every time down the ice a battle. My expectations for this coming year were and still are high. It's tough to get in the line up right away in my position being such a small scholarship player and so it makes it mean a little more every time I hit the ice. I've learned that half the battle when you get to college is how mentally tough you are. A lot of times you have to pay your dues and wait till you get your opportunity (like I am right now) and not get discouraged. You must always be ready to give it your all. Being able to play at Michigan State has been so great already. They treat us like what I would imagine it's like in the NHL. Reps from companies will customize almost all your equipment you want to be customized. Also, you can get any stick any way you want and it seems like the clothing is never ending. We also don't bus anywhere over four hours; anything more than that we will fly (it's a big change from juniors where you bus everywhere almost no matter what). So everyday I wake up excited to see what will happen next. It's a great feeling to have about going to the rink.

Life off the ice has been a battle. School is tough, and I feel like a grandpa after being away from school for three years. Sometimes it's hard to get up for those eight o'clock classes, but that's another thing you have to be mentally tough about in college. Fortunately, they make us go to eight hours of study hall every week. Also, you can have a tutor as much as you want, which for me is a regular thing. They keep tabs on you here and it seems like they know everything about your classes, which for a lot of people is really important.

One of the best things on campus here is the biker gang. This is no ordinary biker gang. This one is a gang of mopeds. There are ten scooters in the gang, and looking everyday to get more hockey guys to buy one. The scooter (owned by the Nightingale brothers, one of which, Adam, played for coach LaFontaine) leads the pack and also campaigns for the Bush administration, with a huge sticker on the front. We call the scooter "The Red Dragon" for its nasty power off the line. It might not even be street legal?? Who knows??

Now, I'm just trying to battle everyday to get in the line up and hopefully be an impact every weekend. The three years I spent in Bozeman were some of the best years of my life. I can't wait to come back and visit.

Sponsor Happenings & Ticket Opportunities!

The ICEDOGS have teamed up with Murdoch's to offer FREE game tickets with select promotions for the next several weeks. Here is what they are offering: Nov 9-12th--Buy any Lined Carhartt Jeans/Bib, get 1 ICEDOGS Ticket. Nov 23-27th-- Buy any first Quality Carhartt Sweatshirt, get one ICEDOGS Ticket. Nov 30-Dec 4th--Buy any Carhartt Jacket/Coat, get one ICEDOG Ticket. Dec 14-17th-- Spend $100 on Carhartt, receive 2 ICEDOGS tickets.

Days Inn is having an Open House for their completely remodeled hotel this Thursday, November 4th, from 5:00- 7:00 pm. They will also be having a drawing for FREE ICEDOGS tickets and other great prizes during their Open House.

Does your business or place of work want to offer ICEDOGS tickets or ticket coupons to your customers? If so, call the Valley Ice Garden at 585- 1415. We are also offering area businesses the chance to have 55 ICEDOGS T-shirts thrown to our crowd with your company logo on the front for $250! Thanks to Hands On for making this great deal possible.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central