Dog Pound Weekly

Published on February 22, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


For the ICEDOGS, this past weekend was big, but they were without their leader, Head Coach John LaFontaine. Coach LaFontaine headed to Michigan for a recruiting weekend, leaving Assistant Coach Kevin Stone to bring home the Western Division Title. Bozeman entered the weekend needing two points, either a Fairbanks loss or an ICEDOGS victory, to clinch the Western Division Regular Season crown, and in the absence of Coach LaFontaine, the team carried out business as usual.

Febuary 17th, 2006 is a date that the Bozeman ICEDOGS will remember, after pulling off one of the biggest turnarounds in hockey history. A team that won only 20 games last season, went from worst in 2004- 05 to first in 2005-06, clinching the Western Division Regular season title in fashion with a 4-0 shutout of the Helena Bighorns.

Bozeman opened with three goals in the first eight minutes of the contest, led by two goals from Mike Schumacher. Brett Nylander added the other goal in the first. Five minutes into the second, Adam Krefski made it 4-0 with a one-timer in front. In goal, Matt Dalton shutout the Bighorns, stopping all 19 shots he faced, for his sixth shutout of the season.

Sunday, the ICEDOGS traveled to Cody, Wyoming for a match-up with the Billings Bulls. The game seemed weird from the moment the teams arrived at the rink: small locker rooms, small arena, and a quiet crowd - three factors that are very different for the ICEDOGS when they play the Bulls at the 10,000 seat MetraPark Arena in Billings. Also missing was Coach John LaFontaine who was off on a recruiting trip, so Kevin Stone had the reins for the second game in a row.

As the game started the night only got stranger for the Boys from Bozeman as they defeated the Bulls 4- 1, the only normal thing on the night. Bozeman fell behind in the opening period as Billings scored on the power play to take the lead. In the second, Bozeman tied the game on the power play with Brett Barta getting a great pass from Ryan Bunger for the goal.

Tied after two, the third period should have been a great period of hockey; instead it was a scene from Ringling Brothers Circus. The final frame had no flow to it, as most of the game lacked, and then a fluky goal took life from the Bulls. Bozeman's Jameson Raymond drove across the red line and dumped the puck in to complete the line change when the wacky events took place. Billings goalie Ian Wilson went behind the net when it caromed off the separator that holds the glass in place, and redirected towards the net. Wilson couldn't recover in time to stop the slow moving puck from crossing the goal line.

Then, with the ICEDOGS shorthanded, things got back to normal, sort of. Josh Heidinger carried out business as usual, scoring a shorthanded goal 11 seconds into the penalty kill. The crazy thing was how he backed it up, with his second shorthanded goal on the same penalty kill 28 second later. From that point, the ICEDOGS controled the game and finished out the Bulls for the 4-1 victory. They continue their road-winning streak, which is at nine games, and their impressive road record of 21-1-0 on the season. Bozeman has a pair of home games next weekend, welcoming the Minnesota Blizzard and Billings Bulls to the Valley Ice Garden for Parents' Weekend on Friday and Saturday. The puck drops at 7:05 both nights.

With a win on Friday, the 'DOGS clinched the NAHL- West Division title and followed up with another dominant victory over the rival Billings Bulls on Sunday. They are not, however, resting on their accomplishments. With a tough road trip and rigorous playoff schedule coming soon, the team knows their work this season is far from over.

This Friday, the ICEDOGS take on the Minnesota Blizzard (23-21-5) in their first appearance at the Valley Ice Garden this season. In their previous two matchups in Minnesota, the 'DOGS won 5-4 and 4-0. Last weekend the Blizzard had two wins over the Fargo-Moorhead Jets. Friday's game is sponsored by Days Inn and will feature a post-game party at Old Chicago.

The Billings Bulls come to town on Saturday, sponsored by Pierce Carpet Mill Outlet. Carpet Mill Outlet will be sponsoring an $800 Cash Grab for Kids during the first intermission! Following the game will be a post-game meet and mingle on the concourse where fans can get photos (you supply the camera) with their favorite players. Following the home game on March 10th, they will have another post-game meet and mingle for autographing those photos!

With only six regular season home games remaining after this weekend, now is the PERFECT time to pick up a Flex 6 Pack to enjoy every remaining game this season and save money at the same time! Visit our ticket office or call 585-1415 to order yours by phone today!

Next weekend the 'DOGS have their final major road trip of the regular season, with two games against the Wichita Falls Wildcats and two againast the Texas Tornado.

Spotlight On #25 Chris McKelvie

Q: Tell us a little about your playing background. A: I started playing when I was five in New Brighton, Minnesota. I played for the Irondale Youth Hockey Association my entire life. When I was a squirt, I made the B travel team and moved up to the A team the following year. I played A travel through High School and was on the varsity team for three years. My older brother Ryan had just finished playing in Bozeman and I had seen him play and thought it would be a good fit. It has been for three years, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

Q: What is your favorite playing career memory so far? A: I'll tell you in a couple of months.

Q: How do you prepare for a game? A: I get up an hour before we have to be to the rink and eat a good breakfast. I usually have fruit, oatmeal and eggs and then head off to the rink. I try to get a good sweat going during the pre-game skate, and then after practice off to brunch. Sometimes we go home; sometimes we go to Main Street Overeasy. Around noon I throw on a movie and take a nap, before eating again at four. I have salmon, fruit and veggies for my meal, and then I am off to the rink. When I get there I put on my sweats, stickhandle a little, jump rope and then the team stretch. After stretching I get dressed halfway and then into the team meeting. I eat an apple while coach talks, and after the meeting I check my skates on the ice and finish getting ready. After that, it's all business and the best part of the day, game time.

Q: What are your plans after you are done playing juniors? A: I committed to Bemidji State University earlier this season, and am excited to play for the Beavers. I am carrying out our family tradition and following my brothers into the NCAA Division I ranks. It is going to be a good year.

Q: What do you like best about Bozeman? A: Bozeman is sweet, a total package of hockey and social life. It is a great place to be. The team, organization and my billets are the best. Grandma and Grandpa spoil me and the rest of the team. I've also gone horseback riding; shoot a deer, and the best part: playing two seasons with Brett Nylander.

Miscellaneous News, Notes, and Happenings

The Gallatin Valley Hockey Club's Bantam A1 team will be hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser tonight from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Valey Ice Garden. The team recently won the state tournament and is raising money to compete at the regional tournament in Denver next month. The cost is $5 per adult and $20 per family.

Members of the Bozeman ICEDOGS took the plunge into chilly waters Monday afternoon, participating in the 5th annual Presidents' Plunge for Special Olympics. About 15 members of the team, including Head Coach John LaFontaine, jumped into the fridgid water, each turning in a donation of at least $50 In all, the team raised around $1000 for Special Olympics. When announced, the ‘DOGS made the move to the waters edge, and leaped in for a quick dip before they all piled into the small hot tub. Matt Hughes and Marc Howe stole the show, with Hughes pulling off the belly flop followed by Howe's front flip. This is the 3rd year the ICEDOGS have participated in the event.

Congratulations to Faith Thompson and John Sniscak who won tickets for games this weekend. They were randomly selected among those submitting an online survey since the last game. Click here to take the ICEDOGS survey and enter to win tickets!

This weekend is parent's weekend and features a bag raffle by the Booster Club. They will have over 60 items, including quilts, shirts, pictures, hand tools, ski helmets, home decor items, beauty products, childrens baskets, a scrapbook basket, jewelry, and more.

The North American Hockey League continues to expand and improve to promote Junior A hockey and the advancement of players to the collegiate ranks. Click here for the latest announcement!

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North American Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2006


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