Eagles split first pair of games at Blaine Showcase
September 20, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Eagles News Release
The Soo Eagles opened up the 2013-14 regular season with a win against the Bismark Bobcats, 3-2, on Wednesday, followed by a 5-2 loss to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Thursday. Here are the recaps of the games.
Soo Eagles 3, Bismark Bobcats 2
The Soo Eagles survived a determined comeback attempt by the Bismarck Bobcats on the way to a 3-2 win, in their regular season opening game at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota.
A goal by Chase Matson put the Eagles up 3-0 in the third period, but Bismarck pulled to within one, on Evan Giesler's tally, 15:22 into the third period.
The Eagles were helped by Jacob McDowell, who had one goal. McDowell scored 12:20 into the first period to make the score 1-0. Brad Pung picked up the assist. Michael Crowley also scored for the Eagles. Other players who recorded assists for Soo were Kyle Loridon, Derek Lodermeier, and Denver Pierce, who each chipped in one.
Bismarck was helped by Stanislav Dzakhov, who grabbed one goal. Dzakhov scored on the power play 10:20 into the third period to make the score 3-1 Soo. The Bobcats had gotten the advantage when the Eagles' Bruno Birzitis was sent off for slashing. Brendan Harris assisted on the tally. In addition, Bismarck received assists from Nate Repensky, who had two.
Skoog Paige made 28 saves for Soo on 30 shots. The Eagles registered zero goals on five power play opportunities. Aaron Nelson rejected 21 shots on goal for Bismarck. The Bobcats incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.
Fairbanks Ice Dogs 5, Soo Eagles 2
The Fairbanks Ice Dogs' Yannick Vedel had a big offensive game, scoring two goals and contributing one assist, in his team's 5-2 win over the Soo Eagles, on Thursday afternoon at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota.
Vedel found the back of the net 5:58 into the second period, to cut the Eagles lead to 2-1, and again 10:25 into the second, to make the score 2-2.
Fairbanks' offense rang up 36 shots on Soo's net. The Ice Dogs had trouble converting on the power play advantage, managing just one goal on nine chances. The defense for Fairbanks played an important role offensively, racking up 15 shots on goal.
Fairbanks also got points from Nick Hinz, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Fairbanks also got a goal from Logan Wendling as well. Other players who recorded assists for Fairbanks were Kyle Lee, who had two and Doug Rose, Johnny Mueller, Ethan Somoza, and Chandler Madry, who contributed one a piece.
The Eagles found themselves stymied offensively, and got off a mere 14 shots against the Ice Dogs' defense. Soo's defensemen were a huge part of the offense, scoring two goals and taking nine shots.
The Eagles were helped by Jimmy Slivka, who grabbed one goal. Slivka scored 2:17 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Soo. Ryan Urso assisted on the tally. Kristofers Bindulis also scored for Soo. In addition, Soo received assists from Bradley Mueller, who had one.
Kevin Aldridge rejected 12 shots on goal for Fairbanks. Soo's Colin Brennan stopped 31 shots out of the 36 that he faced. The Eagles registered one goal on four power play opportunities.
The Eagles will play two more games in Blaine, including Friday, September 20 against Topeka at 1:15 p.m., and September 21 against Rio Grande Valley at 9:15 a.m.
Opening weekend at Pullar Stadium The Soo Eagles will open the home portion of their 2013-14 NAHL regular season on Friday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m., when they will take on the Johnstown Tomahawks for the first of three games over the weekend. They will also face the Tomahawks on Saturday, September 28 at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 29 at 3:00 p.m.
The first 300 fans each game will receive a Soo Eagles magnet schedule for this season. There will also be a Skate With the Eagles on Sunday, September 29 after the game.
The Eagles will be at home the following weekend, when they will take on the Port Huron Fighting Falcons on Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, October 5 at 7:00 p.m. There will be another Skate With the Eagles after the game on October 5.
North American Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2013
- 'Cats Come up Short in Overtime - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Third Period Blitz Lifts Bobcats to 5-2 Win - Bismarck Bobcats
- Huge Game by Starzynski Boosts Bismarck Over Janesville, 5-2 - Janesville Jets
- Wild Edged By Magicians At Showcase - Wenatchee Wild
- Amarillo Bulls Drop Decision to Kenai River - Amarillo Bulls
- Rays Fail to Score in 2-0 Shutout Loss to Minnesota - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Opening Weekend at Pullar Stadium September 27-29 - Soo Eagles
- Eagles split first pair of games at Blaine Showcase - Soo Eagles
- Tomahawks Pick up First Win, Defeat Aberdeen 3-0 - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Janesville Jets Join Forces to Fight MDA - Janesville Jets
- Kenai River uses shootout to best Janesville, 4-3 - Janesville Jets
- Huge game by Vedel boosts Fairbanks over Soo, 5-2 - Soo Eagles
- Bobcats Surge Past Bulls - Bismarck Bobcats
- Bulls Fall to Bobcats 3-1 - Amarillo Bulls
- Wild Beats Wilderness In Shootout - Wenatchee Wild
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