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Dog Pound Weekly

February 16, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


This weekend, the ICEDOGS play two of their biggest rivals with Helena on Friday and Billings on Saturday. Friday's game is a Pepsi Family Night where $25 will buy four tickets, four Pepsis, one bucket of popcorn, and a post-game skate with the ICEDOGS!

On Friday, parents of the Bozeman ICEDOGS will be on hand and introduced during the first intermission. Assistant Coach Tom Winkler will also have his head shaved by Rex the Wonderdog after the team nearly reached their goal of $1,000 raised at last week's Tip- A-Dog fundraise for the For One Another Cancer Family Network. The Booster Club will also be having a bag raffle, with lots of cool prizes for both adults and children.

Saturday's game is sponsored by Ressler Motors, who will be throwing T-shirts into the crowd during the second intermission. Join the team afterward for their post-game party at Old Chicago.

ICEDOGS games are the place to be for the most exciting action in Gallatin Valley! We'll see you this weekend.

When a hockey team has a solid lineup, good goaltending, well-respected coaches, good crowds and a state of the art facility to play in, their performance on the ice is, more often then not, of a high caliber. When a team is in a conference with some of the best teams in the league, and plays night in and night out against nothing but the highest competition, it forces them to compete at the toughest level and their tenacity is, by and large, unparalleled. And when a team is as closely knit as the Bozeman ICEDOGS are, with no egos, a general respect for one another and a willingness to take hits and make sacrifices for one another, you usually have a championship caliber team. Usually.

What has happened to the Bozeman ICEDOGS this season is nothing short of incredible. Here you have a team with all the elements that make up a winning franchise, currently sitting in the basement of the league with two months to play and in need of a miracle (maybe more) to make the playoffs. One must ask themselves, how did this happen? "We have a solid team," said forward Stephen Cunningham. "Sometimes the pucks that need to go in just don't go in. It's not like this is a lazy team."

When the ICEDOGS went to the NAHL showcase in Minnesota last October, compliments from teams throughout the league were bestowed on these beagles from Bozeman, and as the team stormed through the showcase with a purpose - it was apparent that this season could be a banner year. On par with the Helenas, the Texases, and the Fargo- Moorheads in terms of skill, coaching, and tenacity, there was plenty to be excited about. At that showcase, coaches, scouts and league officials were impressed, to say the least, at the parity in the western conference. Between Bozeman, Billings, Helena and Fargo-Moorhead, there was, it seemed, a good chance that each of these teams should be able to put together a championship season.

However, since returning from Minnesota, Bozeman's season has been riddled with frustrating loss after frustrating loss, and the ICEDOGS have now dropped out of the playoff picture. November saw the team go 4-6, followed by a December that went 3-4. The team tacked up their sub par play to growing pains, as hope was still alive for a late-season playoff run. Surely a team of this character, with these players and these coaches, and some of the best fans in the league couldn't miss the playoffs - could they?

Then came January. The month actually started out well, when in the second game of the New Year the ICEDOGS thoroughly stomped the first-place Fargo- Moorhead Jets 5-3. "That game was an example of what this team is capable of," said Head coach John LaFontaine earlier this season, "When our confidence is there, we play like a team." Then came the losses. Seven straight, to be exact, plus the first loss of the new year against Billings helped put the 'DOGS at the very bottom of the standings with virtually no chance of getting out. What was once a team holding on for dear life in a conference riddled with tough opponents had become a league doormat.

So why the breakdown? Anyone who spends any time with this team knows that there's definitely a commitment to excellence, as shown from captain Bill Leahy's tenacious play to Matt Cleveland and Josh Kassel's stellar numbers down to the dedication of the coaching staff, any of whom you can find down at the Valley Ice Garden at anytime between opening and closing. There are no slackers on this team. Everyone tows their own line.

One might be tempted then, to say that internal conflict must be pulling the team apart. However, in the case of this team which would rather shoulder blame than point a finger, the only internal conflict is over which movies to watch during bus trips. "We all get along." says Cunningham, "Nobody on this team puts their ego in the way." The good news is, that although the team has lost the majority of their games, a large number of losses have been by only one goal. Matter of fact, the Bozeman ICEDOGS have more one goal losses (12) then any other team in the league. If nothing else, the games have at least been exciting.

There is still a month and a half left in the season, and as the ICEDOGS gather on a Monday morning for their weekly seven - game scrimmage, the mood is light. The players are joking, and on this day everything seems as though the Dogs are where they should be; right among the conference elite, trying to position themselves into home ice advantage for the playoffs. Watching the scrimmage from above, a few rink employees look on as Filip Macejka picks up the puck at the Blueline, makes a deft move around a defender, than buries the puck in the net to the chant of "ooohhhhh" that rises from the bench. Sadly, it's only a poignant reminder of what could have been.

Spotlight on Josh Kassel #30

Josh is in his second season with the ICEDOGS, and looking forward to earning a college scholarship next season. He has teamed up with newcomer Matt Cleveland to be one of the top goaltending tandems in the league. Josh currently has a respectable 91.4% save average.

What skills do you bring to the ICEDOGS? I try and bring composure, and hope that helps the team with their confidence. What skills do you want to improve? I want to work on my stickhandling. What sports do you play other than hockey? I like to play golf, lacrosse, and bowling. What are your favorite teams? I like the Pittsburgh teams...the Penguins, Pirates, and Steelers. What do you want to be remembered for by ICEDOGS' fans? I would like to be remembered for always giving the fans something to cheer about. What is your pre- game routine? I always try and laugh to stay relaxed. Usually my game day includes a couple of good stretching sessions and a big pasta meal.

What is your funniest childhood memory? When I first started playing goalie as a youngster, I didn't know what to do when I had to go to the bathroom so I just went in my hockey gear. They renamed the tournament from Pepsi to Pepspee just for me. If you received $100 cash as a gift, what would you do with it? Probably put it in the bank because I hate spending money. If you were granted any three wishes, what would you request? I would like unlimited Titleist ProV1 golf balls, a truck with remote starter, and free paint jobs for my helmet.

What are five words people would use to describe you? Polite, Mature, Focused, Affable, and Friendly. Have you ever been a part of a championship team in another sport, if so what sport and when? No. I need to change that this year. What do like most about Bozeman? My host family, the fans, and golf.

Laughter-The Best Medicine

One popular publication, Reader's Digest, features stories of everyday life. After coming across this story, we decided to have our own version just for ICEDOGS fans!

ICEDOGS fan Riley Malott (age nine) was with his mom checking into their motel in Great Falls last weekend for a hockey tournament. Also in the motel was a large group of Hutterites, who were having a convention.

After evaluating the scene, Riley made the comment: "Mom, why are they having an Abraham Lincoln convention here?"

Do you have a funny story? If so, submit it to insider@bozemanicedogs.com. If your story is printed, you will win a pair of ICEDOGS tickets!

Learning the Rules-Rule 612

Rule 612. Falling on Puck

If a player deliberately falls or gathers the puck into their body, a delay of game is called. If this action is done in the crease by anyone other than the goalie, it is an automatic penalty shot for the opposing team.



North American Hockey League Stories from February 16, 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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