Dog Pound Weekly

Published on March 2, 2005 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


If you were unable to attend last weekend's games against the Jets, you missed out. The ICEDOGS played their most consistent hockey of the season, putting together two wins against this high flying team. The 'DOGS showed they have the talent and ability to compete with anyone in the league.

This weekend, the ICEDOGS are on the road, playing in Bismarck on Friday and Fargo-Moorhead on Saturday and Sunday.

The 'DOGS return to the Valley Ice Garden on March 11th to play the Billings Bulls. That game is sponsored by Carpet Mill Outlet and will be our annual White Out Promotion Night! Wear white, bring your chant guides, tune up your vocal chords, bang those Cheerstix, and help us make it an intimidating environment for Billings to play in!

The ICEDOGS will welcome the Minnesota Blizzard to the Valley Ice Garden on March 12th.

It may have taken all season, but the Bozeman ICEDOGS finally did it - they won two games in a row. No stranger to tough competition, the ICEDOGS looked like a team in the thick of a playoff hunt last weekend, giving the Fargo-Moorhead Jets all they could handle for two straight games. Friday's game saw Bozeman jump out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Nick Biondo and Ryan Bunger, forcing Fargo to play catch- up for the rest of the game before being beaten 4- 3. Saturday the 'DOGS tied the game late in the third on a Filip Macejka goal, which sent the game into overtime. Fargo took a penalty in the extra frame that put the ICEDOGS on the power play, where they had a couple good chances but were unable to score. That set up a shootout, and thanks to three quick goals by Josh Heidenger, Mike McMillan and Macejka, plus solid goaltending from Josh Kassel, and the 'DOGS notched their second win in as many games.

With nine games left and nothing to lose, the ICEDOGS could still make the playoffs. Laugh if you want, but it is statistically possible. If the ICEDOGS win the rest of their games and Minnesota and Bismarck both go bottoms up and lose finish the year with 54 points or less, it would put the ICEDOGS in fourth place--good enough to make the playoffs. The biggest thing that Bozeman has to worry about (other than winning the rest of their own games) are the two games that Bismarck and Minnesota play against each other. Should Minnesota win both of those contests, the ICEDOGS are out for sure.

Now that the 'DOGS are on the biggest win streak of the season, all they have to do is keep this up for nine more games and all of a sudden, they have a positive spin to tack on to the end of a losing season--regardless of whether they make the playoffs or not. Further, the prospect of seeing Minnesota and Bismarck lose the majority of their remaining games isn't all that unlikely. Both Minnesota and Bismarck play all inter-conference games for the rest of the year. With the race for first place as tight as it is among the top three teams in the conference, getting wins against Helena, Fargo and Billings won't be easy.

That being said, it's those same Bulls, Bighorns and Jets that Bozeman has to beat in order to save their season. As long as we're putting a positive spin on everything, it's worth pointing out that Helena and Billings might not take Bozeman too seriously given their records against the 'DOGS. This could give LaFontaine & Co. the opportunity to pull off some late-season magic. Hey, stranger things have happened. For proof, just look at your thermometer.

Spotlight on Steve Cunningham #14

Steve is in his second season with the ICEDOGS, and looking forward to earning a college scholarship next season. This season, Steve has 10 points in 43 games. This Boulder native is best known for his sense of humor and light hearted attitude.

What skills do you bring to the ICEDOGS? I try to bring speed and tenacity. What skills do you want to improve? I want to work on my backhand. What sports do you play other than hockey? I like to play racquetball and baseball. What are your favorite teams? I like the Hartford Whalers, Denver Nuggets, 1928 Yankees (because of Yoggi Berra) and "Da Bears" from 1985 with Mike Ditka and "the Fridge". What do you want to be remembered for by ICEDOGS' fans? I would like to be remembered for my fast pace and determination. What is your pre- game routine? I wake up, go to the pre-game skate, grab a bite to eat, sleep, eat a light pasta meal, and go to the rink.

What is your funniest childhood memory? I was tandem on a bike with my mom and we fell and lost the race. If you received $100 cash as a gift, what would you do with it? Blow it all on pogs and slammers. If you were granted any three wishes, what would you request? I would request more wishes, some Nike Air Jordan's, and a small pair of blue shorts.

What are five words people would use to describe you? Sexy, heart throb, fast, funny, and sexy again. Have you ever been a part of a championship team in another sport, if so what sport and when? No. What do like most about Bozeman? I love the the small town atmosphere, great fans, and hockey.

Hockey's First Labor Dispute...Does This Sound Familiar?

We've all heard the whining before. The owners cry poor. The players only want what is fair. The owners need a salary cap. The players won't accept one. It looks like a winter without hockey. No, this is not 1994 or even 2002. This was 1911 and the professional game of hockey was facing its first labor dispute.

The 1909-10 season had seen great upheaval in the game. By offering huge salaries, the new National Hockey Association had won its war with the rival Canadian Hockey Association, but the battle exacted a price of financial pain. The owners looked to recoup some of their financial losses in 1910-11 by imposing a salary cap of $5,000 per team. Bruce Stuart, captain of the Ottawa Senators, stressed that the players would never accept any kind of salary "cap" and he threatened to organize his own league. Art Ross was also involved in organizing this new "players" league, but the owners did not take the threat seriously until the players stopped agreeing to contracts. "We are all suffering from writer's cramp," quipped Stuart, "and we cannot sign up."

But the players' revolt was short-lived. Stuart was unable to get arena owners to support his new league. They reasoned that the NHA offered guaranteed purses while Stuart's new league offered only headaches. Soon, the idea of a new league was abandoned and the players began signing contracts with their old teams. The dispute had lasted about a month and though no regular-season games were lost, training camps had been disrupted.

While there is evidence that many owners either ignored the salary cap or found ways around it, Bruce Stuart never benefited from his actions. After having to accept a $650 offer from Ottawa, Stuart retired after playing only four games. Art Ross continued to fight for players' rights and almost got barred from hockey for his trouble. Ironically, Ross would go on to have a long career in management with the NHL's Boston Bruins and, when push came to profit, he would have to adopt the very stance he fought so hard against when he was a player.

Learning the Rules-Rule 617 High Sticks.

The high sticking penalty sign is made by the referee holding both fists, clenched, one immediately above the other, at the side of the head.

The carrying of sticks above the normal height of the shoulder is prohibited. A player is permitted accidental contact on an opponent if the act is committed as a normal wind-up or follow-through of a slap shot motion. The Referee may assess a minor or major penalty on any player violating this rule.

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North American Hockey League Stories from March 2, 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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