Express Picking up Steam in Central

Published on January 12, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release

It's been nothing but a happy New Year for the Owatonna Express, which has rattled off four straight victories to start 2009, including two last weekend against divisional foes.

"Every game for us is like a playoff game right now," said Express head coach Pat Cullen, whose team improved to 18-15-1 on the season. "If we want to climb in the standings, we have to continue to win at a consistent rate."

The Express opened its weekend with a 3-2 win over the Albert Lea Thunder on Friday. Stephen Carew struck for two goals in the victory, with Dmitry Lugin notching the game-winner. Between the pipes, goaltender Jason Horstman made 34 saves.

Carew potted two more goals the next night as the Express knocked off the Alexandria Blizzard, 6-3. Dan Cecka added a goal and three assists in the win, and Horstman made 26 saves.

"The (holiday) break came at a very good time for us and it seems like we're playing with more of a purpose right now," said Cullen. "We're also finding a way to win some of the close games we had been losing."

Carew has been playing with a purpose for much of the season. The 20-year-old from Eden Prairie, Minn., now has two goals in each of his last three games and leads the team in scoring with 35 points.

"He's not only been a very good player for us, but a great leader," Cullen said of the Air Force Academy recruit. "He makes big plays for us at critical times and is one of those players that, as a coach, you never appreciate enough.

"I don't know where we'd be without him. He's that important to what we've done to this point and we'll lean on him as we move forward."

And Horstman, a 19-year-old from Faribault, Minn., has been getting the job done at the other end, winning his first three starts of 2009 for a team still searching for an identity in net.

"He played very well last weekend and stepped up when we needed one of our goalies to do so," said Cullen. "If we're going to continue to have success, goaltending will be of the utmost importance."

On the defensive end, the Express has been making strides thanks in part to the continued progress of Nick Carson, Jake Sloat and Tim Smith.

Offensively, Zach Vierling, Cory Thorson, Tony McDonald and Chris Bournazos have been delivering on a consistent basis in addition to Carew.

Owatonna has also been aided by the arrival of Cecka, a skilled, speedy forward who played his first two games with the Express last weekend after being picked up in a trade with the USHL's Indiana Ice, as well as the return of forward John Kruse, who was sidelined with an injury since early October.

"He's also had an immediate impact," said Cullen.

For Cullen, who guided the Southern Minnesota Express to back-to-back Robertson Cup Championship Tournament appearances in 2006 and 2007, he's satisfied with his team's first-half performance considering the program started from scratch, both on and off the ice, coming into the season.

"It went about as we expected since we can't forget the fact that we're a brand-new team [the Southern Minnesota Express relocated to Michigan to become the Motor City Machine]," said the coach. "It takes time for guys to figure out the way we expect things to be done and to understand as a team what it takes to win on a consistent basis.

"Our expectations for the second half are to continue to improve on a daily basis, as well as try to climb in our divisional standing and be ready for the playoffs."

And that means getting a more consistent effort in the goaltending department and learning how to win close games, according the Cullen.

"Every night we need to compete hard and play good team defense," he said.

With Carew the only Express player committed to a Division I program for next season, Cullen anticipates more college interest in the New Year, especially for Thorson, Smith and Tony McDonald, all of whom will compete in the upcoming NAHL Top Prospects Tournament which begins on Sunday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

"Those are three very talented and hard-working players," said Cullen. "I'm very happy they were chosen and hopefully they'll catch the eyes of some scouts. All three have the ability to play at the Division I level and hopefully they'll get the chance."

STANDINGS/LEADERS
Central Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
North Iowa 35 20-12-3 43 .614 128 108
Bismarck 32 20-11-1 41 .641 93 71
Alexandria 33 18-12-3 39 .591 113 107
Owatonna 34 18-15-1 37 .544 120 115
Albert Lea 33 2-27-4 8 .121 69 155

North Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
Mahoning Valley 34 22-9-3 47 .691 120 99
Traverse City 33 19-9-5 43 .652 107 100
Alpena 33 18-12-3 39 .591 88 92
Marquette 37 17-16-4 38 .514 105 110
USNTDP 29 16-11-2 34 .586 112 79
Motor City 32 6-25-1 13 .203 70 128

South Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
Topeka 36 29-4-3 61 .847 138 75
St. Louis 39 27-7-5 59 .756 155 91
Wichita Falls 31 13-13-5 31 .500 89 120
Springfield 34 11-18-5 27 .397 101 124

West Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
Fairbanks 32 22-6-4 48 .750 132 87
Wenatchee 25 13-11-1 27 .540 75 88
Kenai River 35 11-21-3 25 .357 102 145
Alaska 29 11-17-1 23 .397 95 118

LEADING SCORERS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G A PTS
George, Jordan TPK F 36 21 27 48
Hamburg, Andrew STL F 33 9 37 46
Gorczyca, Grant STL F 38 22 22 44
Bourbonais, Clinton STL F 39 14 29 43
Shafer, Steve TPK F 36 14 28 42
Paul, Jack NIO F 34 16 25 41
Block, Austin FBX F 32 15 24 39
Kirchhevel, Justin STL F 37 13 26 39
Paulazzo, Bryon TPK F 36 14 24 38
(four players tied with 37)

LEADING GOALTENDERS
PLAYER TEAM GPI MINS W-L-OTL GAA SPCT
Merriam, Bryce TPK 20 1133:29 15-1-3 1.69 .932
Bosner, David BIS 21 1237:15 13-6-1 1.99 .928
Yanakeff, Will USA 11 660:20 6-4-1 2.00 .918
Kinkaid, Keith STL 28 1663:52 20-4-3 2.02 .926
Grogan, Matt BIS 13 693:08 7-5-0 2.16 .927

GOALS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G
(three players tied with 22)

ASSISTS
PLAYER TEAM POS GP A
Hamburg, Andrew STL F 33 37
Bourbonais, Clinton STL F 39 29

PLUS/MINUS
PLAYER TEAM POS GP +/-
Paul, Jack NIO F 34 +25
Reinthaler, Kris STL D 36 +24

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Sherwood/NAHL North Player of the Week: Brandon Saad - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
Mahoning Valley forward Brandon Saad connected for three goals and an assist as the Phantoms finished the week with a 2-1 record. On Friday, the Gibsonia, Pa., native struck for two goals, including the game-winner, in a 5-3 win over Motor City. The next night, the 16-year-old recorded another goal as the Phantoms downed the Machine, 6-3. Saad registered an assist the next day in a 9-1 loss to the U.S. Under-17 Team. The Top Prospects Tournament selection was also a plus-3 for the week.

"Brandon is coming off a great performance at World Under-17's and he carried that momentum through last weekend," said Phantoms head coach Bob Mainhardt. "It was great to get him back out there for us while he's playing so well."

HONORABLE MENTION: Motor City forward Josh Bussell

Sherwood/NAHL South Player of the Week: Brandon Bahnemann - Springfield Jr. Blues
Springfield forward Brandon Bahnemann registered four goals in the Jr. Blues' two-game sweep over Wichita Falls. On Friday, the Rochester, Minn., native notched a pair of goals as the Jr. Blues downed the Wildcats, 8-3. The next night, the 20-year-old netted two more goals in a 4-3 triumph. The Top Prospects Tournament selection who started the season with the Alexandria Blizzard was also a plus-4 on the weekend.

"Brandon is a power forward who can skate and who has the ability to score goals," said Jr. Blues head coach Chris Wyler. "When we had the opportunity acquire Brandon, we knew that he could contribute offensively and he's proven that. He's a great fit for our program."

HONORABLE MENTION: Topeka defenseman Caleb Wolfgram

Sherwood/NAHL Central Player of the Week: Stephen Carew - Owatonna Express
Owatonna forward Stephen Carew struck for four goals as the Express skated to two wins. On Friday, the Eden Prairie, Minn., native connected for a pair of goals in a 3-2 triumph over the Albert Lea Thunder. The next night, the 20-year-old potted two more goals as the Express doubled up the Alexandria Blizzard, 6-3. The Air Force Academy recruit was also a plus-6 on the weekend.

"When a play needs to be made, Stephen just seems to have a knack to make that big play," said Express head coach Pat Cullen. "His mind for the game is so good."

HONORABLE MENTION: Bismarck forward Josh Singer; North Iowa forward Jack Paul

Sherwood/NAHL West Player of the Week: Josh Nelson - Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Fairbanks defenseman Josh Nelson rang up two goals and five assists as the Ice Dogs skated to a two-game sweep over Alaska. On Friday, the Nekoosa, Wis., native tallied two goals and two assists, including one on Paul Kirtland's game-winning marker, in a 5-2 victory. The next night, the 19-year-old recorded three more assists as the Ice Dogs downed the Avalanche, 7-3. Nelson, who was recently acquired from the Bismarck Bobcats, was also a plus-7 for the weekend.

"Josh fits into how we play and he brings a lot of skill to our team," said Ice Dogs head coach Josh Hauge. "His skating and vision are a welcome addition."

HONORABLE MENTION: Kenai River forward Ryan Lemke

GDI/NAHL Goalie of the Week: Jimmy Hamby - Kenai River Brown Bears
Kenai River goaltender Jimmy Hamby backstopped the Brown Bears to a pair of wins over Wenatchee, turning aside 85 of 87 shots. On Friday, the Ann Arbor, Mich., native made 41 saves in a 7-1 victory. The next night, the 18-year-old stopped 44 shots as the Brown Bears defeated the Wild, 3-1.

"Jimmy was outstanding for us last weekend and was a big part of our success," said Brown Bears head coach Brent Agrusa. "He made a lot of big saves and our guys fed off of that energy."

HONORABLE MENTION: Bismarck's David Bosner and Matt Grogan; Mahoning Valley's Jordan Tibbett; North Iowa's Keegan Asmundson

AROUND THE NAHL
ALASKA AVALANCHE: Top Prospects Tournament selection Kyle Pichler scored a pair of goals as the Avalanche dropped two games to Fairbanks.

ALBERT LEA THUNDER: Niko Kapetanovic and Danny Wood scored for the Thunder in its only game of the weekend, a 3-2 loss to Owatonna on Friday.

ALEXANDRIA BLIZZARD: Sean Kenny and Jon Swavely each recorded a goal and an assist as the Blizzard fell to Owatonna on Saturday, 6-3.

ALPENA ICEDIGGERS: In the IceDiggers' only game of the week on Thursday, Mike DeGrazia tallied a pair of goals in a 5-1 win over Traverse City.

BISMARCK BOBCATS: Air Force recruit David Bosner made all 33 saves in the Bobcats' 2-0 win over North Iowa on Friday, marking his fourth shutout of the season.

FAIRBANKS ICE DOGS: Top Prospects Tournament selection Jon Waggoner recorded a hat trick, including the game-winning goal, in the Ice Dogs' 7-3 triumph over Alaska on Saturday.

KENAI RIVER BROWN BEARS: Top Prospects Tournament selection Ryan Lemke connected for three goals and four assists as the Brown Bears fashioned a 2-1 record against Wenatchee.

MAHONING VALLEY PHANTOMS: Forward Jordy Trottier, a Top Prospects Tournament selection from Bozeman, Mont., has committed to Bentley College (Atlantic Hockey) for next season.

MARQUETTE RANGERS: Garrett Ladd, a Top Prospects Tournament selection, notched a goal and two assists in the Rangers' 4-1 victory over Traverse City on Friday. He was also a plus-3.

MOTOR CITY MACHINE: Top Prospects Tournament selection Josh Bussell, Motor City's leading scorer, figured in all three Machine goals in its 6-3 loss to Mahoning Valley on Saturday (two goals, assist).

NORTH IOWA OUTLAWS: A plus-3 last weekend, Jack Paul, a Top Prospects Tournament selection, leads the league with a plus-25. "Jack is one of the most skilled forwards in the league and has made huge strides this season," said North Iowa head coach Jeff Crouse. "He just keeps delivering for us."

OWATONNA EXPRESS: Goaltender Jason Horstman picked up two wins for the Express last weekend, turning aside 60 of 65 shots. He has won his last three starts.

SPRINGFIELD JR. BLUES: Top Prospects Tournament selection Nick Curry recorded both game-winning goals, including the overtime marker on Saturday, in the Jr. Blues' two-game sweep over Wichita Falls.

ST. LOUIS BANDITS: California native Soren Jonzzon put home two goals and an assist as the Bandits forged a 0-0-2 record against Topeka.

TOPEKA ROADRUNNERS: Bryce Merriam was named the NAHL/GDI Goaltender of the Month for December after fashioning a 5-0-2 record in eight appearances to compliment a 1.75 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.

TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS: Nate Urbaniak connected for two goals, including the game-winner, in the North Stars' 3-2 win over Marquette on Saturday. He was also a plus-3.

TEAM USA: Emerson Etem and Jerry D'Amigo each recorded two goals in the Under-17 Team's 9-1 victory over Mahoning Valley on Sunday.

WENATCHEE WILD: Michael DiPuma and DJ Vandercook (game-winner) each potted two goals in the Wild's 6-2 victory over Kenai River on Wednesday.

WICHITA FALLS WILDCATS: In his only game of the weekend on Saturday, defenseman Matt Shost recorded two assists in the Wildcats' 4-3 overtime loss to Springfield. He was also a plus-2.

THE WEEK AHEAD
Thursday, January 15
Fairbanks @ Topeka, 7:05 pm

Friday, January 16
Wenatchee @ Wichita Falls, 7:05 pm
Fairbanks @ Topeka, 7:05 pm
St. Louis @ Springfield, 7:30 pm
USNTDP @ Motor City, 7:10 pm
Alpena @ Marquette, 7:30 pm
Bismarck @ Alexandria, 7:00 pm
Owatonna @ Albert Lea, 7:00 pm
Kenai River @ Alaska, 7:00 pm

Saturday, January 17
Wenatchee @ Wichita Falls, 7:05 pm
St. Louis @ Springfield, 7:30 pm
North Iowa @ Owatonna, 8:00 pm
Traverse City @ Motor City, 4:00 pm
Alexandria @ Bismarck, 7:00 pm
Marquette @ Alpena, 7:00 pm
Kenai River @ Alaska, 7:00 pm

Sunday, January 18
Marquette @ Alpena, 4:00 pm

(all times local)

North American Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2009

• Express Picking up Steam in Central - NAHL
• Saad Secures Player of the Week Nod - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
• Wildcats start off homestand with losses - Wichita Falls Wildcats
• Outlaws Weekly - North Iowa Outlaws

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