Dog Pound Weekly

Published on October 12, 2005 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


After a relaxing game-free weekend, the ICEDOGS boarded an airplane this morning to embark on a four game road swing through Alaska against the first and second place teams in the NAHL-west division.

Tomorrow night the 'DOGS take on the Wasilla Spirit (5-4-0) before travelling to Fairbanks to take on the Ice Dogs (5-2-2) on Friday and Saturday. All three of these games begin at 9:30 PM MST. They wrap up the trip on Sunday back in Wasilla at 7:00 PM MST.

The ICEDOGS (1-3-0) two biggest rivals, the Bulls (3- 2-1) and Bighorns (1-3-0) also enjoyed last weekend off. This weekend Helena plays Fargo-Moorhead (5- 0-0), Minnesota (2-2-0), and Southern Minnesota (2- 3-0). Billings has two games against Fargo- Moorhead.

Did you know there are several Bozeman natives playing for the Blackhawks? The Nor- Pac east division leader Bozeman Blackhawks (7-2) have two games at home this weekend beginning at 7:35 PM against teams from the Nor-Pac west division! The team's cast of local Blackhawks Include: Zach O'Meara, Rob LaChapelle, Jordy Trottier, Seth Adams, Ryan D'Agostino, Avery Weaver, Kameron Simkins, and Clancy O'Donnell. Friday night they take on the Eugene Generals (8-0) and the River City Jaguars (3-6) on Saturday. Tickets are $6 adult, $4 student, and $2 child. 100% of Blackhawks' ticket revenue goes directly to the Gallatin Valley Hockey Club. Be sure to check out this very good hockey team this weekend!

Where is your company having it's holiday party? Have you thought about having it at an ICEDOGS game in the Beer Garden? If not, you should. There are just a few remaining dates, so call soon if interested. For more information or available dates, please call Rex at 585-1415.

Alaska Bound...Business Not Pleasure

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The great north offers a once in a lifetime vacation destination for many people. The miles of frozen land and beautiful scenery are something to remember forever. But for the Bozeman ICEDOGS the trip that begins today is not a vacation by any means...it is a mission.

"Every game is important and the guys know that," Coach John LaFontaine said. "You don't want one or two points haunting you down the stretch. We don't want to settle for a split. I think we have a team that can come away with four wins if we play hard every night, and that is what is important." For the past week the team has been preparing for the trip north, starting to hydrate and fuel themselves for the beginning of a grueling road trip, with eight games in ten days.

"Most importantly we have been getting our guys eating right," LaFontaine said. "We been stressing the importance of eating five small meals a day so the body absorbs the maximum amount of energy. They all have been drinking protein shakes and at least 64 ounces of water a day, all things they will need to help their body recover after the games. It's important to get started early so your body is used to the change." Besides the bodily preparation, the team has been working on the little parts of the game that the coaches feel need work.

The trip kicked off today with an 8:00 AM flight out of Bozeman to Seattle and then north to Anchorage. Thursday the ICEDOGS will face off against the Wasilla Spirit at 9:30 PM MST time. After the game they will load the bus for the six-hour ride north to Fairbanks for two games on Friday and Saturday, both 9:30 PM MST starts. Following Saturday's game, the team will load the bus once again and head back to Wasilla for a 7:00 PM MST game on Sunday. Afterward they will catch a redeye flight back to Bozeman, arriving early Monday morning. However, the journey isn't done just yet. Tuesday morning the team will head back to the airport and fly to the Twin Cities for the NAHL Showcase, beginning on Wednesday with a 6:00 PM MST game against the Traverse City Stars. The stretch concludes Saturday morning after four games in four days.

For some of the ICEDOGS, the trip north is like a homecoming, as there are four players who call Anchorage home. The parents of the four will welcome the team with open arms on Wednesday night, hosting a team dinner at the home of Kyle Bailey. "It's awfully nice of them to open their doors and feed us like that," LaFontaine added. "It's going to be awesome to see our families, and the dinner is going to be great," forward Luke Bennett said. "I talked to my parents and a lot of people are excited to see us come home and play against some of our old teammates. We're going to have a cheering section up there, that is for sure."

Spotlight on Brian Moore #3

Brian Moore is back for a second season and was named Co-Captain with Chris McKelvie at the beginning of the season. He is a solid presence on the blue line for the ICEDOGS and will play a big part in the team's success this season.

Q: Why did you chose to come back to Bozeman for another season? A: The whole ICEDOGS organization is awesome, from the management to the coaches and especially the town support. It is exciting to come out of the tunnel and see all the fans, sometimes over 2000, cheering for your team. The Valley Ice Garden is so noisy sometimes it is hard to think.

Q: Tell us a little about your playing background. A: I started taking skating lessons when I was three because that was about all a three year old could do. My teacher told me about hockey at age four and I started playing after I finished lessons. I grew up playing for the Indianapolis Racers Youth Hockey and I attended a lot of camps run by Monty Trottier. He told me about the ICEDOGS and got me out here. It was a great decision to come out and play here.

Q: What is your favorite memory of your playing career so far? A: Coming out here to Bozeman and playing for Coach LaFontaine was a big step in my career. This season I was named Co-Captain with Chris McKelvie and that has made me push myself to be a leader of this team and is a highlight of my career.

Q: How do you prepare for a game? A: I wake up and get a good breakfast, sausage and eggs thanks to my housing mom, Marie, who cooks for me. Then I head to morning skate and after that out to lunch. After lunch, a good nap and then off to the rink. When I get to the rink I tape all of my sticks and when I get dressed I do it left to right.

Q: What are your plans after you're done playing Juniors? A: I want to go on to play college hockey somewhere in the Central College Hockey Association. I think I want to do Political Science or Business as a major.

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North American Hockey League Stories from October 12, 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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