Dog Pound Weekly

Published on October 6, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


The ICEDOGS are looking forward to this weekend, and in particular, their game at home on Friday against the Helena Bighorns. Although still early in the season, it is safe to say the 'DOGS and 'HORNS do not necessarily have kind feelings for each other. These teams have been rivals since the dawn of the Bozeman franchise, and this could be as competitive as it has ever been.

The puck drops here on Friday at 7:05 and in Helena at 7:05 on Saturday. Friday is Pepsi Family Night where fans get four tickets, four Pepsis, one large bucket of popcorn for a mere $25, and a FREE post- game skate with the ICEDOGS.

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One more second. That's all the ICEDOGS needed to hold off the Billings Bulls power play in Friday's 5-4 overtime loss. "Of course it's tough to lose a game like that, but we need to play a complete game before we start sulking about losing with a second left in overtime," said ICEDOGS Head Coach John LaFontaine. Billings won the game on a power play goal. With one minute and 22 seconds left in overtime, ICEDOGS defenseman Graham McManamin was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty when he shot the puck after the whistle on a close offside call. The Bulls responded by turning up their offence on the ICEDOGS penalty kill unit.

The ICEDOGS stood tall throughout the barrage until Bulls defenseman Matt Palmer fired a shot from the point into a cluster of players in front of the net. With the ICEDOGS trying to clear players out for Goalie Josh Kassel, Bulls forward Brian Kaufman managed to get a shot on goal, sending Kassel sprawling for the puck as it rebounded out to the Bulls' Brett Gorman, who was patient enough to wait for Kassel to fall to the ice before netting the winning goal with one second left on the clock.

"That was a frustrating situation," said LaFontaine. "Graham was following through with his shot. Those kinds of calls should be made if it's a blatant shot after the whistle, but in that situation, in overtime, it wasn't blatant. But either way you have to be in control of your emotions." Losing the game was especially bitter for the ICEDOGS, who twice rallied to tie the game. The Bulls jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and looked to be in control of things until ICEDOGS defenseman Zach McKelvie picked a fight with Gorman. The battle seemed to rally the ICEDOGS, who responded by scoring three goals of their own.

Just seconds after the fight, ICEDOGS captain Bill Leahy put away his team's first goal in a scramble in front of the net. Defenseman Brett Nylander netted Bozeman's second goal with a high shot from the blue line as Bozeman was finishing up a power play, and Josh Heidinger scored the tying goal after intercepting a Bulls clearing attempt. "The very next shift after that fight we seemed to wake up," said LaFontaine.

The ICEDOGS had a chance to take the lead on a power play early in the third period when McManamin passed the puck over to Ross Johnson, who was robbed on the backdoor attempt. Billings scored to take the lead at 13:55 of the third period, but Leahy tied things up again with a blast over the shoulder of goaltender Aaron Damjanovich for his second goal of the night. "It was great to see Leahy have a breakout game," said LaFontaine. "What everyone saw on Friday is what the team has seen since May. He's been playing great all summer, and for him to put it together for a game is great for his confidence."

While Friday's game was certainly a disappointment for players and fans, the ICEDOGS were able to get a moral victory on Saturday during an exhibition game against the Montana State University Hellcats club hockey team. The ICEDOGS beat the Hellcats in a 9- 0 victory. Ryan Kim scored a hat trick and Ross Johnson tallied two goals.

Next up for the ICEDOGS is another home and away match up with the Helena Bighorns. Helena is coming off a two game split with the Fairbanks, Alaska Ice Dogs in Fairbanks. This weekend's matchup will see the ICEDOGS' power play (the NAHL's second-best) take a crack at the recently strong penalty killing of the Helena Bighorns, which is number one in the NAHL with a 33.33% success rate. "This is going to be a rivalry all year," said LaFontaine. "We have to respect their experience, speed and skill while they have to respect our offense. The team who wins will be the team who makes a commitment to defense."

Spotlight on A.J. Balaze #19

A.J. Balaze is in his second season of ICEDOGS Hockey, and just getting back into the action after an injury kept him sidelined for a few weeks. A.J. is a 5'9" 170 pound center from Davison, MI.

What skills do you bring to the ICEDOGS? I like to take a mental approach to the game, and also work on being a great passer. What skills do you want to improve? There isn't one thing I can pick out as an area of improvement, my entire game needs to improve. What sports do you play other than hockey? Golf, golf, and more golf. What are your favorite teams? I like Detroit Teams--The Redwings, Pistons, and Tigers. My favorite NFL team is the Cleveland Browns. Why Did You Start Playing Hockey? I grew up with a lake in the back yard. My brothers played so when I was two years old they strapped some skates on my feet and away I went. What do you want to be remembered for by ICEDOGS' fans? I want to be remembered for being an active member of the community. What is your pregame routine? After the pre- game skate I like to eat a big breakfast, sleep, then eat a big lunch. I always stretch with Josh Kassel before the game.

If you received $100 cash as a gift, what would you do with it? I would buy some movies or video games. If you were granted any 3 wishes, what would you request? To be 6'4, 200 pounds, and playing in the NHL. What was the best advice you ever received? The best advice I have received is to enjoy what I have now.

What are five words people would use to describe you? People would describe me as being dependable, responsible, considerate, hard working, and committed. Have you ever been a part of a championship team in another sport, if so what sport and when? No. I just golf, but my scores are not good enough to write down or discuss in this forum. What do like most about Bozeman? I love my host family, the great fans, top notch Booster Club, and everything we get to enjoy living in Bozeman.

This Weekend's Plans

Doors open at 6:00pm on Friday with Happy Hour from 6-7pm. Get 21 ounce Molson Canadian Draughts for $2! Kelly Ockford will be singing the national anthem. During the first intermission, the 'DOGS will welcome canines of a different sort who are preparing to run the Iditarod in Alsaka this winter! The Anduril Kennel's sled dog team will be racing around the outside of the rink.

Next weekend, the 'DOGS have back-to-back games against the Shattuck St. Mary's high school, a program that has several alumni in the NHL.

Get FREE Tickets With Chronicle Subscription

Start and prepay for a new 6 month or 12 month home delivery subscription to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, and receive FREE ICEDOGS game ticket coupons (valued at $10.00 each). The offer is not valid for mail subscribers. EZ Pay conversions must remain on the program for one year.

Receive 2 FREE ICEDOGS game ticket coupons with a new, prepaid 6 month subscription. Receive 4 FREE ICEDOGS game ticket coupons with a new, prepaid 12 month subscription.

Current subscribers may convert to EZ Pay, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle's lowest rate plan, and receive 2 FREE ICEDOGS game ticket coupons too. You must be a non-subscriber for the last 60 days to start and prepay for a new subscription, and receive this promotion.

Offer ends October 31, 2004. Call the Bozeman Daily Chronicle Circulation Department at 587-4506 for your FREE ticket coupons!

Former NHL Star Visiting ICEDOGS Friday

ICEDOGS fans will get a special treat during Friday's game against the Helena Bighorns when NHL Hall of Fame forward Bryan Trottier pays a visit to the Valley Ice Garden.

Trottier will drop the puck at a ceremonial face-off before the game, and during the second intermission fans will have the chance to take part in an auction for an autographed jersey. Fans will also have a chance to win another autographed jersey in a raffle.

Trottier played 18 seasons in the NHL, winning four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and two with the Pittsburgh Penguins. During his career he built a reputation for his combination of grit and scoring ability, scoring 524 goals, 901 assists (15th all-time) and 1425 points (12th all-time). Along with his statistics, Trottier also won the NHL's Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1979, the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP in 1980, and the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1976. Since retiring as a player, Bryan has been an Assistant Coach with the Colorado Avalanche and Head Coach of the New York Rangers.

Bryan will be conducting a Face Off clinic for the ICEDOGS at Friday's pre-game skate, and a clinic for Bozeman Girls U-14 hockey team on Saturday morning at 9:00 am. Bozeman ICEDOGS General Manager Jason Martel organized this appearance, and is excited about having Bryan here this weekend. "This is a great opportunity to have someone with Hall of Fame credentials getting involved with the ICEDOGS organization. Fans should take advantage of this opportunity to meet one of the game's all time greats as well," he said. Friday's game is also a Family Night, where fans can purchase 4 tickets, 4 Pepsis, 1 bucket of popcorn, and FREE post-game skate with the ICEDOGS for $25. Bryan's brother, Monty, lives in Bozeman and is a consultant for the ICEDOGS.

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North American Hockey League Stories from October 6, 2004


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