FM Jets Close in on Playoff Spot with Dramatic Wins
February 20, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) The Fargo-Moorhead Jets (33-12-3, 69pts) are only one win away from clinching a playoff spot following thrilling wins over the Alexandria Blizzard and Bismarck Bobcats last weekend at the Carlson Coliseum. Another victory, or North Iowa loss, will officially put the FM Jets in the playoffs for the fourth time in as many franchise seasons and check off the first of what is hoped to be many more accomplishments in the season's final weeks.
On Saturday night, the FM Jets returned to the Carlson Coliseum for the first time since January 26th and welcomed a crowd of 2,256 the second largest of the season. Those fans didn't leave disappointed as the FM Jets defeated Alexandria 4-3 in the first shootout held at the Coliseum since December 3rd, 2005, though the close outcome didn't appear necessary at the onset.
Behind first period goals from Matt Becker (Moorhead, MN), Josh Brodeen (Warroad, MN) and Ryan Adams (Deloraine, MB) the FM Jets took a 3-0 lead at the end of one. Alexandria stormed back with a goal early in the second and a pair in the opening eight minutes of the third to tie the game at 3-3 and send the contest into overtime.
Following a scoreless five-minute overtime period the FM Jets headed to their third shootout in four games and would prevail as Jordy Trottier (Bozeman, MT), Greg Braun (Carmel, IN) and Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) lit the lamp and goaltender Elliot Okland (Fargo, ND) stopped three shots.
The excitement of that exciting win was topped only by the improbability of a comeback win on President's Day against the Bismarck Bobcats. Playing the make-up of a December 30th postponement, Bismarck was the team to jump out to a 3-0 lead early in the second period. Using a strong neutral zone checking style that handicapped the FM Jets' offense and behind solid goaltending from Clark Oliver, Bismarck seemed poised to end the FM Jets unbeaten streak at six.
However, Jesse Echternach deflected a Ryan Adams' shot into the goal late in the period to give the FM Jets life heading into the third. In the final period, the FM Jets would pull to within one on a Josh Brodeen goal eight minutes in, setting up a fantastic finish.
Brodeen would strike again to tie the game a 3-3 with just 1:59 remaining and after a controversial penalty call by referee Tim Mayer put the FM Jets' on a power play shortly after, Matt Moreland (Grand Forks, ND) sent the Coliseum into bedlam.
Brodeen worked the puck free behind the net and passed it to Moreland in the slot who fluttered a shot over Oliver's shoulder giving the FM Jets the 4-3 lead with only 57 seconds left.
Goaltender Austin Lee (Bloomington, MN) withstood a flurry of Bismarck chances in the final seconds, including stopping Brett Calhoun from the slot with 20-seconds left to hold the lead.
Records Falling Like Dominos
Second year veteran Chris Connolly (Duluth, MN) is plucking records as if they are berries on a bush. Connolly assisted on Ryan Adams' (Deloraine, MB) first period goal on Saturday versus Bismarck to give him 46 assists on the season, setting a new single-season area record.
That assist, along with another assist on Monday against Bismarck extended Connolly's scoring streak to 20-games which is tied for the North American Hockey League's post-merger era record. He is tied with Josh Heidinger who had a 20-game streak last season with the Bozeman Icedogs.
Most Wins
With 33 wins, the FM Jets are making a run at the most regular season wins in franchise history which is 36 from the 2004-2005 team. They are also taking aim at the most regular season wins in Fargo-Moorhead Junior A hockey history which is 37 held by the 1973-1974 Sugar Kings.
Nearing 150
The FM Jets have 149 wins all-time. They are looking to become only the third NAHL franchise to reach 150 wins since 2003-2004. The other teams are Texas and Texarkana/St. Louis.
Another Unbeaten Streak
The FM Jets are 6-0-1 in the month of February and the seven game unbeaten streak is their third longest of the season. The FM Jets won eight consecutive games in October, and went on a nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-1) from mid December thru mid January.
Over the team's first three seasons, February had been the weakest month with an all-time record below .500% but obviously that statistic hasn't held serve this year.
FM Jets and Yunker Farm Team Up for Dental Health
Fargo-Moorhead Jets' players have partnered together with Yunker Farm Children's Museum for a special Dental Health Promotion Event at the Barnes & Nobles' Bookstore on 13th Ave on Sunday from 1-4pm. The FM Jets will be on hand to help facilitate some of the booths and demonstrations that will be put on.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2007
- U.S. Nat'l Under-17 Team Falls to NAHL's Best, 5-3 - U.S. National Team
- Phantoms win 11th in a row - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Hosts Mahoning Valley, Travels to Traverse City - U.S. National Team
- Phantoms extend streak - NAHL
- FM Jets Close in on Playoff Spot with Dramatic Wins - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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