Dog Pound Weekly

Published on December 8, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


The Bozeman ICEDOGS might be working on something different this week in practice: discipline. Not that the team has any issues with dirty play, but when taking into consideration the amount of time spent in the penalty box this weekend, controlling emotions has become a key issue.

Last Friday when the ICEDOGS faced off against the Minnesota Blizzard, the teams racked up 54 total minutes in penalties. Even though Bozeman came away with a 4-1 win, the game was marred by unsportsmanlike penalties, checking from behind penalties, fighting and calls after the whistle. While most of the ICEDOGS' penalties were provoked, coach John LaFontaine still sees emotions getting out of hand at times. "Our guys have to realize that there are no perfect refs. They make mistakes just as players make mistakes and it's something that we have to deal with," said LaFontaine.

From the stands, the ICEDOGS looked to be the more controlled team, keeping their cool in the face of a chippy Blizzard team. After Minnesota tied the game at 1-1 early in the second period. The ICEDOGS took control, scoring three more goals in the second to put themselves up 4-1. Bozeman forward Filip Macejka scored two goals to lead the winning effort.

Saturday's game against Billings saw much of the same style of play, this time with a charged crowd cheering on the ICEDOGS, anticipating the free ski pass being offered in a promotional deal with Moonlight Basin.

The ICEDOGS got on the board first with a Filip Macejka goal eight minutes into the game. Macejka took a pass in the low slot and tried to make a move on Billings goaltender Jon Anderson, who made the save. However, Macejka was left unmolested in the slot, and was able to put in his own rebound. Bozeman held the 1-0 lead until early into the second period when Billings scored a powerplay goal. The game remained tied until late in the third when, on another powerplay, the Bulls were able to outnumber the ICEDOGS down low and beat ICEDOGS goaltender Josh Kassel for the winning goal.

"We have to find ways to be consistent - our Power Play is ineffective against Billings," said LaFontaine. "We need to be stronger on the puck down low and get shots through traffic." The ICEDOGS will get a second shot at the Bulls Wednesday in Billings before leaving for Alaska, where they will play two games against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. " I think our goal right now is to get another streak going," LaFontaine says, "We just had little bump in the road. Our guys have come a long way. We have a lot to learn from, and we just need to refocus."

Although this weekend didn't result in FREE lift tickets like everyone wanted, the 'DOGS were able to get a weekend split with a win over the Blizzard 4-1 and loss to Billings 1-2.

Saturday's crowd was lighter than expected due to the Christmas Stroll and a couple of other events that were unforseen when the promotional date was set back in June.

This week, the ICEDOGS take on Billings tonight and then take to the skies for a long flight up to Fairbanks, Alaska to take on the other 'dogs on Friday and Saturday nights.

On December 17th, the 'DOGS take on the Helena Bighorns in their final home game before the Christmas Break. That game is Pepsi Family Night where fans can get 4 tickets, 4 Pepsis, and one bucket of popcorn for $25...plus a FREE post-game skate with the ICEDOGS!

Spotlight on Ross Johnson #12

Ross is in his second season of ICEDOGS Hockey, and one of the team leaders in the points standings. In 24 games, he has 8 goals and 6 assists for 14 points. It is unusual to find Ross in the Penalty Box, as he typically plays very clean and smart.

What skills do you bring to the ICEDOGS? I try to work very hard every day, and bury the puck in the net. What skills do you want to improve? I want to improve my skating, and scoring. What sports do you play other than hockey? I like to golf and play slow pitch softball. These sports are a good compliment to hockey, which is more physical and aggressive. What are your favorite teams? My favorite teams are the Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Timberwolves, Twins, and Vikings. My favorite players are Vincent Levalvier (I admire his skill), Ben Wallace (because of his afro), Tori Hunter (his all around baseball skills) and Randy Moss (he is a freak). Why Did You Start Playing Hockey? It was an unofficial requirement of living in International Falls...everybody played and there wasn't much else to do. What do you want to be remembered for by ICEDOGS' fans? My missing tooth and consistent play. What is your pre- game routine? I attend the team's pre-game skate, eat breakfast, watch a movie, take a nap, eat a pre- game meal, and head to the rink to tape my stick and stretch.

If you received $100 cash as a gift, what would you do with it? Deposit it in my bank account. If you were granted any three wishes, what would you request? Eternal life at age 25, play in the NHL, and one billion dollars.

What are five words people would use to describe you? Smart, Funny, Competitive, Kind, and Old School Have you ever been a part of a championship team in another sport, if so what sport and when? No. My best season of hockey was my senior year (2002-03) where we went 22-4-1 and I had 31 goals and 25 assists. What do like most about Bozeman? I like the gopher hunting and being in the mountains.

A Little Hockey Humor

Two guys from Toronto die and wake up in Hell. The devil stops in to check on them and sees them dressed in parkas, mittens and toques warming themselves around the fire. The devil asks them, "Isn't it hot enough for you?" The two guys reply, "Well, we're from Canada, the land of snow and ice and cold. We're just happy for a chance to warm up a little bit,eh."This gets the devil a little steamed up and he decides to fix these two guys. He cranks the heat up as high as it will go. The people are wailing and screaming everywhere. He stops by the room with the two guys from Canada and finds them in light jackets and bucket hats, grilling sausage and drinking beer. The next morning he stops in again and there they are, still dressed in parkas, toques and mittens.The devil asks them again, "It's awfully hot down here, can't you guys feel it?"Again the two guys reply, "Well, like we told ya yesterday, we're from Canada, the land of snow and ice and cold. We're just happy for a chance to warm up a little bit, eh."

The devil is astonished, "Everyone down here is in abject misery, and you two seem to be enjoying yourselves."The two Canadians reply, "Well, ya know, we don't get too much warm weather up there in Toronto so we've just got to have a cook-out when the weather's THIS nice." The devil is absolutely furious, he can hardly see straight. Finally he comes up with the answer.The two guys love the heat because they have been cold all their lives. The devil decides to turn all the heat off in Hell.

The next morning, the temperature is below zero, icicles are hanging everywhere; people are shivering so bad that they are unable to do anything but wail, moan and gnash their teeth.The devil smiles and heads for the room with the two Canadians. He gets there and finds them back in their parkas, toques, and mittens. NOW they are jumping up and down, cheering, yelling and screaming like mad men!!!

The devil is dumbfounded, "I don't understand, when I turn up the heat you're happy. Now it's freezing cold and you're still happy. What is wrong with you two?" The Torontonians look at the devil in surprise, "Well, don't you know? If hell freezes over, it must mean the Leafs have won the Stanley Cup."

Joakim Eklov Playing Professionally in Europe

Bozeman ICEDOGS Office Manager Mary Wilhelm recently visited former ICEDOG Joakim Eklov in Italy and provided this update on one of the most popular players ever to put on an ICEDOGS jersey. He played in Bozeman for part of the 2003-04 season.

Joakim Eklov finished his Junior A career with the Bozeman ICEDOGS and has moved this season to Division A 2 in Italy, playing for the Valpellice Bulldogs in the town of Torre Pellice.

Though sidelined with a shoulder injury until after Christmas, Joakim has played well-putting up 21 points (11 goals and 10 assists) in 14 games. This includes two hat tricks, which bring with them a day of driving the team owner's new car.

Torre Pellice is located near Torino (Turin), the site of the 2006 Winter Olympics, and a new rink is being built there as a venue for Olympic events. The roof of the current rink caved in under heavy snow in recent years and was replaced only over the ice surface, leaving the spectator seating exposed like bleachers at a football field. Nearly the whole town turns out for hockey games and the fans are ardent. They sing and play drums over loudspeakers hung above the rink throughout the entire game.

Joakim is a huge crowd favorite and when he hits the ice they break into a song that begins "Joakim, Joakim, Eklov, Eklov..". Fireworks are shot off out over the ice and the smoke gets so thick the players have to skate around at high speed to clear it out. It's an exciting atmosphere, with little difference in the enthusiasm whether winning or not.

Joakim shares an apartment with four other import players, two from Sweden and two from Finland. The majority of the players are Italian, many of them local. There is no common language among the entire team, so the coach gives all his instructions in both Italian and English. Those that know neither get translation from a teammate. The coach lost a leg in a car accident, but still skates and skates well.

Joakim loved his time in Bozeman and plans to return for a visit next summer. He hopes to play for the Bulldogs again next season and be involved with the Olympics.

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2004


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