Dog Pound Weekly

Published on March 8, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


This is another busy week for the ICEDOGS as they try and get back to their winning ways after a difficult road trip last weekend. Tonight the ICEDOGS play in Billings, return home for Friday's matchup against North Iowa, and then return to Billings on Saturday.

Friday's game is sponsored by Bridger Orthopedic and Sports Medicine! The team will be throwing T-shirts during the second intermission and the first intermission will be a Caddyshack golf challenge.

Next weekend the ICEDOGS are back in town for games on Friday against the Bulls and on Saturday against the Bobcats. The final regular season game will be on March 25th against the Minnesota Blizzard and all fans will receive a FREE round of golf at Big Sky Resort if the game is a sellout! Be sure and get your tickets early to avoid lines!

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ICEDOGS Stumble Down South

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The Bozeman ICEDOGS had the league-best road record when they headed down to Texas last weekend for four games, but they returned home with a dent in their record. Bozeman dropped three of four to Wichita Falls and the Texas Tornado. The only bright spot on the weekend besides the Texas sun, was the 2-1 victory over the Wildcats in the opening game of the road trip.

The bus legs of the long 22 hour ride could be seen in their weekend opener against the Wichita Falls Wildcats, but as the ICEDOGS have done so many times this season, they found a way to win, squeaking out a 2-1 victory. "It was a battle tonight," Coach John LaFontaine said after Thursday's game. "We had to work hard, but that is the way this team plays. They found a way to outwork the Wildcats and like they have done all year long, found a way to get the job done. It was a tough game and we need to figure out how to break their mid-zone coverage for tomorrow night. I was proud of the guys and the way they fought hard to the end and again our special teams had a good night."

Friday night, the Wildcats found a weakness in the penalty kill of the Bozeman ICEDOGS and they took advantage, as two power play goals set the tone for the contest, and a strong third period gave the Wildcats the 4-2 victory. The ICEDOGS headed to Frisco for a pair of games Saturday and Sunday against the Tornado.

On Saturday, the ‘DOGS were out shot in the contest 52-23 but Matt Dalton kept the team alive with a valiant effort between the pipes. Mark Columbus drew first blood in the first period knocking home his eighth goal of the season, and the only ‘DOGS tally of the night. It came on the power play with Brian Moore and Brett Nylander adding assists.

Leading after the first period, the ICEDOGS battled hard in the second, but Texas tied the game with a power play goal of their own. Devrin Stonehouse fired a shot that trickled through the traffic in front of the Bozeman net and past Matt Dalton. In the third, Brooks won the game with his power play goal with 57 seconds left to play.

On Sunday, Texas hit the scoreboard first with Derek Donowski finding the back of the net on the 5-3 advantage. Early in the second period, Ryan Fuller chipped one past Matt Dalton to put the Tornado up 2-0. Bozeman answered with Graham McManamin ripping a shot from the slot by Troy Redman while the ICEDOGS were on the 5-3 advantage, but the comeback fell short.

In a last ditch effort, Coach John LaFontaine pulled Dalton for the extra attacker and when the Tornado intercepted a clearing attempt they walked in two on one against Josh Heidinger. Heids dove and stopped the first shot, sliding into the net and knocking it from the pegs. Seconds later, Texas hammered home an empty netter, giving the Tornado their third power play goal and the 3-1 victory.

Spotlight On #27 Mark Columbus

Q: Tell us a little about your playing background. A: I started skating when I was four years old. My cousin Ted was a hockey player and I looked up to him. He took me to the rink to skate and when I was five I started playing hockey. My peewee season I made the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks peewee A team and played travel until I was a freshman. That year I made the Varsity team and played four years of High School Hockey. Then over the summer, the coaches called me and I went to camp and found myself in Bozeman.

Q: What is your favorite playing career memory so far? A: My freshman year we were playing Greenway, who is a rival of Grand Rapids and they were ranked #1 in the state. The game went to overtime and we beat them. I had an assist on the game-winning goal.

Q: How do you prepare for a game? A: I get up and eat a good breakfast, then head to the rink for practice. After the pre-game skate I go over to Brett Barta's house to relax and have a good lunch. We sit around, watch tv, and then I take a nap. Around four I get up and eat again before heading to the rink around 4:45 pm. When I get here, I put on my sweats and just relax until the game.

Q: What are your plans after you are done playing juniors? A: I want to play Division I hockey somewhere, but I will have to play another season of juniors first. I hope to come back to Bozeman next season and earn a scholarship to a D-I program.

Q: What do you like best about Bozeman? A: Bozeman is great and we get to do a lot of things. I have gone hunting, skiing, and a lot of outdoors stuff. The fans are also great and everyone here loves hockey. My billets take good care of me and the booster club also takes care of us. It is a great place to play hockey.

Miscellaneous News, Notes, and Happenings

Please remember to use any season ticket turnbacks or flex tickets at one of the remaining regular season home games! If you are unable to use them, give them to a charity such as Big Brothers Big Sisters as they are always grateful for ticket donations. Turnback and Flex Pack tickets cannot be used for playoff games.

The ICEDOGS Booster Club end of the year banquet will be held March 26th at the Holiday Inn. Social Hour will begin at 5:00 pm with a Buffet Dinner at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $25 each and available at the Booster Club Booth at any of the remaining games. For more information call Booster Club President Marlene Montgomery at 388-1473.

2006-07 Season Tickets are now on sale! If you are interested in avoiding lines and getting the best price- per-game deal than Season Tickets are for you!

Hockey Trivia, Sponsored By Murdochs Ranch & Home Supply

Who were the original goalies for the ICEDOGS in 1997-98? Tumbling tots, four-legged friends and those who love spring . . . Welcome.

Did you know that Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply at 2275 North 7th Avenue has Carhartt coats for toddlers, baby boots by Ariat, and the latest styles from Lucky, Levis, Cinch and 20X, Murdoch's will cover your toddler or teen from head to toe this spring and summer.

Tumbling tots, four-legged friends and those who love spring . . . Welcome.

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North American Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2006


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