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November 2, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


ICEDOGS Perfect in October

The Bozeman ICEDOGS were perfect during the month of October, something that hasn't been done in almost two years. The Soo Indians, who folded in 2005, were perfect to start the 2003-04 season, 13- 0-5. the streak ended November 1st at the hands of the Youngstown Phantoms. Also, the Texas Tornado completed a perfect month twice during the 2003-04 season. The ICEDOGS started the weekend off Thursday night at home against their archrivals from Helena. The ‘DOGS came out running, scoring two first period goals. Brett Nylander got the ICEDOGS on the board, picking up his first goal of the season with a blistering shot from the point. Jason Krispel and Chris McKelvie added the assists on the goal.

Moments later, Cody Omilusik made it two to nothing, hammering home a Graham McManamin shot. Luke Bennett also picked up an assist on the Omilusik goal. In the second period, Bennett added to the ICEDOGS lead when Omilusik won a face-off in the Helena zone and sent it back to Mike Schumacher. He found Bennett streaking across the slot and Bennett fired a shot past Dan Vazquez, giving Bozeman the three-goal lead. The Bighorns, however, got one back with just over a minute to play in the period. They headed to the third 3-1. Helena pulled within one goal in the first six minutes of the period and had opportunities to tie it up, but stumbled down the stretch, as Ryan Bunger intercepted a pass at the Helena blue line and scored the empty net goal to seal the deal. The ICEDOGS moved to 10-0 in their last ten games.

Friday night, the ICEDOGS grabbed the league's best winning streak, grounding the Fargo-Moorhead Jets 4- 0. Matt Dalton turned aside 28 shots on goal to earn his second shutout of the season as the ‘DOGS extended their winning streak to 11 games. Special teams came to play for the ICEDOGS as they added three power play goals and one shorthanded goal. Bozeman got the scoring started just over five minute into the game, when Fargo gave the ‘DOGS a power play. The league's best power play made the Jets pay when Josh Heidinger scored his seventh goal of the season. Ryan Bunger and Kyle Bailey picked up the assists on the goal.

In the second, Brett Nylander got his second goal in as many nights when he fired another blistering slap shot from the top of the circle passed Jets' goaltender B.J. O'Brien for the second power play goal of the night. At the start of the third, Bozeman had 24 seconds of power play left, and they struck again. Mike Schumacher hammered the puck home during a scramble in front of O'Brien, and Bozeman had a three-goal lead. In the third, with the ‘DOGS on the penalty kill, Chris McKelvie and Jason Krispel got a break and Krispel fed McKelvie in front for the fourth ICEDOGS goal. For Bozeman, it was their eighth shorthanded goal of the season. From there, Dalton took over, stopping a few threats from the Jets in the late goings of the game to secure the shutout and an ICEDOGS victory.

"It seems like the bigger the game, the bigger he plays" Coach LaFontaine added. "Stoney (Kevin Stone) has really worked with both of them, (Dalton and Mike Jarboe) and they both have improved 100% since they have gotten here. It is the little things that they do that makes them better." "This was a special win, but my defense is awesome this season," Dalton said. "They are a huge reason why we are on this streak and a big reason why I look so good in goal. I can't say enough about the boys in front of me."

The ICEDOGS owned the league's best winning streak, 11 games, as they headed to Helena Saturday night. The Bighorns gave Bozeman a scare, rallying back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game and send it to overtime. Nobody scored in the overtime period and the game headed to a shoot out. It took six rounds in a shootout before the 'DOGS would prevail, defeating the archrivals from Helena, 3- 2. Helena had a chance to win on the fifth shooter but they were denied when Mike Jarboe came up with a big save to keep the shootout alive. In round six, Mark Columbus came in on Matt Cleveland and fired a wrist shot over the glove of Cleveland to put Bozeman in front.

The pressure turned to Mike Jarboe, who needed a save to pick up his fourth win in as many tries. Tibor Kutalek came down on Jarboe, made a move across the front of the net, but Mike slammed the door, smothering the puck in his chest to give Bozeman the shootout victory. "What can I say? These boys just keep getting it done," Coach John LaFontaine said. "Give credit to Helena, they are a good hockey team, but I am proud of the way the guys hung tough in the end."

The 'DOGS jumped out to a two goal lead in the first period with a power play goal from Brian Moore and an even strength tally from Matt Hughes. After that, former ICEDOGS tender Matt Cleveland would slam the door on every shot taken by Bozeman and let his offense go to work. Helena's Jack Day, another former ICEDOG, came back to haunt his former team, scoring twice, once in the second and another in the third, to send the game to overtime. Bozeman's next chance to improve on the streak will come next Friday when they host the Billings Bulls at the Valley Ice Garden.

The ICEDOGS (12-3) are winning at a record pace, and are hoping to continue their success this weekend as they take on the Billings Bulls on Friday. The ICEDOGS are in sole posession of first place in the NAHL west division, leading the Fairbanks Ice Dogs by three points.

The first four hundred fans through the door on Friday will each receive one Chris McKelvie player trading card, sponsored by Hastings. Player trading cards will now be distributed at each of the remaining home games. Friday's game is sponsored by Bridger Orthopedic and Sports Medicine. Enjoy a team T- shirt toss, face painting, and inflatable bouncer for kids, and Town & Country Cheerstix in Rex the Wonderdog's Kids Zone. Join the team after Friday's game for their post-game party at Old Chicago!

Last week, the Bulls beat Helena 3-2 on Wednesday before losing to them on Friday 4-7. Saturday night, Fargo beat them 4-2. They will play the Southern Minnesota Express tonight at the MetraPark arena before travelling to Bozeman on Friday afternoon. With the two losses over the weekend the Bulls dropped to 6-8-1 on the season and remain in 4th place in the Western Division standings with 13 points in 15 games.

The Blackhawks (11-3) are in town tomorrow to take on the Butte Rough Riders (1-16), and then again on Saturday against the Queen City Cutthroats (9-2). The Blackhawks are in first place in the Nor-Pac east division four points ahead of the Cutthroats. Come check out the hockey action this weekend at the Valley Ice Garden!

Spotlight on Chris Hendrikson #7

Q: Tell us a little about your playing background. A: I started skating when I was seven, taking figure skating lessons in my hometown. I switched to hockey a year or two later and started playing on a travel team in squirts and peewees. My freshman year I played for my high school hockey team and then moved up to the Midget AAA level. For two seasons I played for the Ojibwa Eagles in Hancock and then my senior year I moved to Deerborn Heights to play for Honeybaked.

Q: What is your favorite memory of your playing career so far? A: When I was a peewee, we won state, which was awesome. The game went into overtime and it was an exciting finish. After that I would have to say coming to Bozeman and fulfilling my dream of playing Junior hockey.

Q: How do you prepare for a game? A: On game day I wake up and get a bowl of Cheerios before I head to morning skate. After the practice I head home and make a sandwich for lunch and just relax around the house. Around 4:00 I make some noodles and usually a piece of chicken for dinner and then head to the rink. When I get there I start my pre-game routine of taping my stick, stretching and then when I get dressed I put on my equipment from left to right. After coach's speech, I say a short prayer before I head on the ice.

Q: What are your plans after you are done playing Juniors? A: I want to go to Michigan Tech to play. If not there, any D-I school would be awesome. I think I want to own my own sports bar someday so I am thinking about majoring in business.

Q: What do you like best about Bozeman? A: The fans in Bozeman are the best. I have never played in front of a crowd like this before. It is really awesome to get a chance to play in front of two thousand fans. Besides that, Bozeman has given me a chance to try some new things like fly-fishing. I always wanted to learn how to fly fish and now I have. It is fun even though I haven't caught a fish yet.

ICEDOGS pick up Forward, Send Becker to Southern Minnesota

The Bozeman ICEDOGS have made their first trade of the season, sending Jimmy Becker to the Southern Minnesota Express for forward Quinn Ellingson. Becker had spent most of the season playing with the Bozeman Blackhawks, where he was the team's leading scorer.

"We felt that this was the best for Jimmy," Coach LaFontaine said. "He asked us a few weeks ago if we would help him find a place to play junior A and he is going to get the chance with Southern Minnesota. We were happy to help him out and wish him the best of luck during this season." In return the ICEDOGS got forward Quinn Ellingson. The 6'1, 185 pound forward from Austin, Minnesota played in five games with the Express. The ICEDOGS coaching staff had a chance to see him at the NAHL Showcase and say he should be a good fit for the ‘DOGS.

In addition, Devan Hartigan has also departed the team. Hartigan had also been playing with the Blackhawks for most of the season. He is headed north to join the Wasilla Spirit in Alaska this week. Like Becker, he wanted to find a Jr. A team and the coaching staff worked to help him out. Missing out of the ICEDOGS' line-up this past weekend was Cory Loos. Cory returned to Moorhead Minnesota after the NAHL Showcase Tournament to recover from an ongoing injury. Loos missed the first two weeks of the season, before returning to the ‘DOGS.

"After the Showcase he came to us and said he was frustrated," Coach LaFontaine said. "He felt that his injury was affecting his play, so we told him to go home and see the doctors to get re-evaluated. We hope he will be back in Bozeman soon."

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Which player set the record for the most points scored in a single NHL game?

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North American Hockey League Stories from November 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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