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Express Win Fifth in a Row

February 4, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Owatonna Express News Release


MASON CITY, Iowa -- One year ago, the Southern Minnesota Express dominated their closest rival in game after game, winning one four-game stretch by a count of 28-8 and finishing the NAHL season with a record against North Iowa of 11-2-1. This year, the battles have been much closer but the outcome is still the same. In their latest encounter (the 10th meeting of the season) the Express prevailed again, winning in overtime at North Iowa Arena for the third straight time as Mike Montgomery (photo left courtesy of NAHL) set up Jeff Carlson (photo right courtesy of NAHL) for the game-winner just 62 seconds into the extra frame. The win was Southern Minnesota's fifth in a row, equalling the Train's longest winning streak of the season, and it pushed their season mark against the Outlaws to 8-2-0.

It was a spirited, hard-hitting affair that featured as much verbal as physical abuse. The Outlaws got the worst end of the confrontations, however, chocking up 50 penalty minutes to Southern Minnesota's total of 20. Fitting then that every goal should be scored on special teams. After a scoreless first period, North Iowa took a 1-0 lead on Max Mobley's shorthanded goal two minutes into the middle period. Dusty Jackson countered with a shorty of his own 10 minutes later. The Outlaws pulled ahead with a Brandon Larson goal on the powerplay just 39 seconds after that.

In the third period, the Express tied the game with Montgomery scoring on a powerplay setup from Carlson and Robby Spalding. That set the stage for Carlson's overtime winner and Southern Minnesota's 26th win of the season.

Express Keep Pace With Jets

The weekend sweep was Southern Minnesota's second in a row but the four points earned were only enough to keep pace with Fargo-Moorhead in the chase for the Central Division championship. The Jets earned a sweep in Alaska, coming from behind to knock off the Avalanche 5-4 to win for the second night in a row. That leaves the Jets at 60 points, 6 better than Southern Minnesota.

Springfield earned a split with Texas while Bismarck did the same with Alexandria, leaving the Jr. Blues and Bobcats in the final two Central Division playoff spots at 42 points apiece. By earning a single point for getting to overtime, the Outlaws increased their total to 40 points while Alexandria is scrambling in last place with 35. In the North Division, Mahoning Valley became the first team in the NAHL to clinch a playoff spot with 17 games remaining on its regular-season schedule.

The Express will go on the road next weekend for games Friday and Saturday in Bismarck and Sunday at Alexandria. Fargo-Moorhead will continue its Alaskan adventure with games Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Fairbanks.

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