FM Jets End First Half; Look to Inch Closer to 100th Franchise Win This Week
Published on December 12, 2005 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) The Fargo-Moorhead Jets have been on the ice since early September, and now with the holidays gaining quicker then Santa Claus with the jet stream at his back, the team is about to reach the midway point of the season just in time for a festive layoff.
The FM Jets (17-8-2) face North Iowa and Minnesota at 7pm at the Carlson Coliseum on Thursday and Friday respectively, then travel to Minnesota for a 7:30pm on Saturday before taking a 9 day reprieve from the sport.
Technically, the FM Jets will actually surpass the midway point with their 30th game of the 58 game regular season on Saturday; nonetheless, the holiday break has long been viewed as the "unofficial" turning point of junior hockey.
"Your goal is to be in good shape as the holidays reach, then begin making your move the second half of the year" said head coach Chad Johnson. "We want to enter the break in first place, then be able to turn it on after the break and make sure we are playing our best hockey at the end."
As of now, the FM Jets do stand in first place in the North American Hockey League's Central Division, but it's a lead thinner then a slice of Christmas ham. The FM Jets have been in first place in the Central Division for all but one week (Nov. 5-12), but enter the final week of the first half with a one point lead on a Southern Minnesota Express team as hot as a Yule-log. Southern Minnesota is 10-1-2 since the start of November. Its as if the FM Jets are Santa stuck in a chimney, having to watch as the Grinch methodically stole toys.
"They are playing well, but we can't be concerned with them until we play them" added Johnson.
Thursday's game against North Iowa will mark the expansion Outlaws' first visit to the Coliseum, and the first by a Mason City Junior A franchise since March 1999. The FM Jets won 5-1, and 4-3 in a shootout in a two-game series in North Iowa on Nov. 11-12.
Then the weekend concludes against a familiar opponent in the Minnesota Blizzard, a team which by the end of the this weekend, will have provided the opposition for the FM Jets six out of the last eight games.
Funny thing is, after Friday's home game against Minnesota, Jets' fans won't see the Blizzard at the Carlson Coliseum until March.
Countdown to 100 Wins
The FM Jets franchise enters this weekend with 96 wins all-time, which includes both regular season and post-season contests. The earliest the team could reach that mark is their Dec. 28 home game against Southern Minnesota.
By comparison, the Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks, won only 84 games from 1996-2000 in the United States Hockey League.
Former Trainer Back in Town
Former FM Jets trainer, Dr. Tim Stark, is in town for the next few weeks on holiday from his current job in Australia. Dr. Stark was the Jets' trainer until December 2005, when he accepted a position at a sports research and training facility in Australia. Over the past year, he has given lectures and presentations all over the world on improving athletes' performance, and has worked with Olympic athletes.
Dr. Stark was formerly of the CLINC of West Fargo, which is now staffed by current Jets' lead medical staff professional Dr. Aaron Jones.
Wrapping Gifts for a Good Cause
From Dec. 4- Dec. 14, the FM Jets are assisting the Fargo Optimist Club with their gift wrapping project at the West Acres Mall. Everyday (except Dec. 8 due to game), players are wrapping gifts at the booths at the Malls East and West sides. All the money raised through the gift wrapping goes to the Fargo Optimist, which in turn, use the money to promote their youth events they hold throughout the year (including Tri-Star Hockey).
Kantola MIA...But Has Excuse
Veteran forward, and NHL prospect Kai Kantola (Raleigh, NC), will miss the FM Jets' Dec. 28, 29, 31 and possibly the Jan. 4 games due to his participation with TEAM USA at the Viking Cup tournament in Camrose, Alberta later this month.
Last Week (0-1-0)
Fri. Dec. 2 vs. Bismarck Bobcats 1-2 Loss
This Week
Thurs. Dec. 15 vs. North Iowa Outlaws 7:05pm (CST)
Fri. Dec. 16 vs. Minnesota Blizzard 7:05pm (CST)
Sat. Dec. 17 @ Minnesota Blizzard 7:30pm (CST)
The FM Jets are the 2005 Borne Cup Champions and are in their third season as members of the North American Hockey League. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 30th year of operation. For more information, visit fmjets.com or call (701) 235-2354.
Jets home games are played at the John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, ND. All games are broadcasted on STAR 103.9 and sportsjuice.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2005
- FM Jets End First Half; Look to Inch Closer to 100th Franchise Win This Week - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Cleveland Jr.Barons Weekly Update - Cleveland Barons
- Wildcats Teaming Up with URHCS for Teddy Bear Toss - Wichita Falls Wildcats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
