Dog pound weekly

Published on January 19, 2005 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


The pressure is on the Bozeman ICEDOGS this week, to start a run and do so very soon. For the most part, the team played well last weekend but just could not get over the 60-minute hockey hump they have been fighting all season.

We want to thank our fans for the tremendous support! Last weekend's crowd of 2,788 was the largest of the season, and we are currently in second place in the NAHL average attendance race, following the big market Texas Tornado. The next game in Bozeman is not until February 4th, for the first of back-to-back home games against the Bismarck Bobcats.

ICEDOGS Helping Family--During the first week of January, the family of Michael and Kim Price were struck with tragedy when the house they were renting burned to the ground. Last weekend, their car was stolen from downtown. After receiving a call from Michelle Wolfe at 95.1-FM The Moose, the 'DOGS decided to help.

On Monday, the Moose will begin selling items live on the air from local businesses wishing to contribute. The 'DOGS are sending T-shirts, signed sticks, and merchandise. This money will go to help the Price family get back on their feet until insurance money is claimed. If your business or place of work is interested in helping out, contact Michelle Wolfe at Clear Channel Radio--586-2343.

Behind the boards...

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Facing an uphill climb into playoff contention, the once friendly road now beckons the Bozeman ICEDOGS with an opportunity to make up some much needed ground. And if this month's six road games is a repeat of the last time the ICEDOGS hit the road, fans will have something to look forward to when the team returns home next month.

"We have to be optimistic," said head coach John LaFontaine. "We have to start hitting our stride and we can't look at it like we have to win 15 games but instead take it one win at a time." Back in November, the ICEDOGS were hovering around the basement area of the standings. In desperate need of a string of wins, the team set off on a six game road trip and came away with a 3-2-1 record that shot them within five points of second place. Fast- forward to the present, and the 'DOGS are in a similar spot.

In sole possession of last place in mid-January, the team is embarking on a five game road trip that consists entirely of conference games-games that put some crucial points up for grabs. "We have good overall skill, good depth. I think that the question is whether or not we have enough toughness up front to come and play every night," LaFontaine said. "If we can get consistency in that regard, we'll come back next month in good shape."

The ICEDOGS started the trip on the 15th with a 5-2 loss to the Helena Bighorns, and will look to rebound against the Billings Bulls with two games on the 21st and the 22nd. The team then plays Bismarck on the 27th before heading further east to Fargo for a two game set against the Jets.

The ICEDOGS' keys to success lie in their special teams. The power play, which has been a collective team headache all year, will look to improve on its 3- for-19 record that it has compiled so far for the month of January. The penalty killing, on the other hand, had been a bright spot for the team all season. Should the ICEDOGS maintain their shorthanded success while falling into a groove with the man advantage, LaFontaine says that there will be no reason to think that the season is lost. "No question we can turn it around - talk is cheap now with our backs against the wall, but we definitely have the right elements to turn things around," LaFontaine said.

All of the road games can be heard on 95.1 FM.

Spotlight on Nick Siddoway #15

Nick Siddoway is a long time Butte resident and second Montana resident to be on the full-time ICEDOGS roster, following Billings' native Matt Frank. Nick grew up in Butte and left for a short time to hone his hockey skills before returning to play for the Butte Roughriders. After leading the team in points, the ICEDOGS decided to pick up this young and talented player.

What skills do you bring to the ICEDOGS? Hard work and determination. What skills do you want to improve? I want to improve my speed and puck movement. What sports do you play other than hockey? I like to play tennis and go snowboarding. What are your favorite teams? My favorite teams are the Colorado Avalanche, Los Angelas Lakers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Rams. My favorite professional athletes are Joe Sakic, Kobe Bryant, Sammy Sosa, and Isaac Bruce. Why Did You Start Playing Hockey? Because I loved to skate as a kid.What do you want to be remembered for by ICEDOGS' fans? I want fans to think of me as a hard worker, nice guy, and crowd pleaser. What is your pre-game routine? I get up early, eat a big breakfast, go to the pre-game skate, get mentally prepared, listen to music, then get ready to play.

What is your funniest childhood memory? I remember my brother jumping on a tree limb and watching him drop after it broke. If you received $100 cash as a gift, what would you do with it? I would go on a road trip. If you were granted any three wishes, what would you request? I would like to play professional hockey, have one million dollars, and have unlimited wishes.

What are five words people would use to describe you? Humorous, nice, cooperative, happy, and crazy. Have you ever been a part of a championship team in another sport, if so what sport and when? I was on a championship soccer team at the age of twelve. What do like most about Bozeman? I look forward to playing hockey in front of the big crowds and winning some games.

A Little Hockey Humor

On April 15, 1952, the Montreal Canadiens met the Detroit Red Wings in Game four of the Stanley Cup finals. Detroit led the series three games to none and had won seven playoff games in a row. Two fans, Pete and Jerry Custimano, threw an octopus on the ice. The eight tentacles of the octopus symbolized the eight games the Red Wings needed to win to be Stanley Cup champions. Detroit won the game 3-0 to sweep the series and a new tradition was born. Fans continue to throw octopi on the ice at Red Wings games for good luck, and a huge mechanical octopus was suspended from the rafters at their arena.

Learning the Rules-Board-Checking

Do you ever find yourself booing the officials because everyone else is? If so, you are not alone. We decided to dedicate part of our newsletter to fan education, and making sure you express your opinions at the right time...not necessarily all the time...and improve your chance of making a difference. This is from the USA Hockey Junior Hockey Rule Book.

Rule 604. Board-Checking (a) A minor or a major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be imposed on any player who body-checks, cross-checks, elbows, charges or trips an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be thrown violently into the boards.

(Note) Any unnecessary contact with a player playing the puck on an obvious "icing" or "off-side" play which results in that player being knocked into the boards is "boarding" and must be penalized as such. In other instances where there is no contact with the boards it should be treated as "charging".

"Rolling" an opponent (if he is the puck carrier) along the boards where he is endeavoring to go through too small an opening is not boarding. However, if the opponent is not the puck carrier, then such action should be penalized as boarding, charging, interference or if the arms or sticks are employed it should be called holding or hooking. (b) When a player injures an opponent as the result of "boarding," the Referee shall have no alternative but to impose a major plus game ejection penalty or a major plus game misconduct penalty on the offending player.

(c) During an icing situation, any player who makes unnecessary contact with an opponent shall be assessed a minor or major penalty plus a game ejection/game misconduct penalty. This may also be treated under Rule 603 (Attempt to Injure or Deliberate Injury of Opponents).

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North American Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2005


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.

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