Coach Agrusa says Fairbanks trip was 'Some good, some work needed.'
October 8, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Helena Bighorns News Release
By Brent Agrusa, Head Coach Helena Bighorns
After a split this weekend with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs up in Alaska, Buttsy (Bighorn Defensive Coach, Mike Butters) and I had a chance to evaluate where we are at and where we need to be.
Friday's game started out as planned. We pressured the Fairbanks defensemen and had several opportunities to score and despite two goal posts and a ton of good chances, we managed to score a quick one on the power play and left the period tied 1-1.
The second period was a little less offensive. We scored one and gave up one and our power play once again got going. It seems to me that most teams will pressure us on the P.P., so we have been working on that all week prior to leaving. It paid off as we were 2/6 on the power play over the weekend. The penalty kill was also effective. We managed to kill off all nine Ice Dog opportunities and the fellas are getting better at applying the special teams systems we are implementing, so I feel pretty good about that.
Saturday's game was very important for us. We need to stay on pace with the other teams in our conference and needed a win. The guys responded well, and we opted to give Vasquez his first start of the regular season in goal. Danny made some big saves and our offence got going. We led after the first and second periods and ended up scoring early in the third to take a 4-2 lead. We played well defensively in the third period and held off a Fairbanks attack with the extra man and held them to three shots in the last six minutes for the win.
We now enter another big week as we play Bozeman twice. We will be working hard on our systems and defensive zone this week as I feel it will be a key against a good Bozeman team. Bozeman always gets off to a good start and we need to shut down their high-powered offence. We head to Bozeman on Friday before hosting them on Saturday in Helena.
We only play at home once in the next three weeks so I hope you will all find a way to make it down to Saturday's game. The new players have all commented on what a great feeling it is when our fans cheer for us. It definitely gives us a lift. See you Saturday.
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North American Hockey League Stories from October 8, 2004
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- Wildcats visit Jr. Blues on SCI Night - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Shutout earns goalie Redmann NAHL Defensive Player of the Week - Soo Indians
- Coach Agrusa says Fairbanks trip was 'Some good, some work needed.' - Helena Bighorns
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- Marshals bringing it home - Central Texas Marshals
- Phantoms earn split of weekend series with Soo - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Toledo hosts beer night - Alpena IceDiggers
- Blizzard plows way to second straight win - Alexandria Blizzard
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