FM Jets Start Season with 2-2 Record at Showcase
September 18, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) Another season of Fargo-Moorhead Jets Junior A hockey is underway after the team went 2-2-0 at the annual meat-market known as the North American Hockey league Showcase at the Super Rinks in Blaine, MN last week. With dozens of collegiate scouts, and a few professional ones mixed in as well, the FM Jets' players auditioned for future roster spots while also commencing the 2006-2097 regular season.
The FM Jets lost on the first day of the showcase 5-3 to Traverse City on Sept. 13. That was followed by wins the next two days; including a 3-2 triumph over Wichita Falls and a 4-2 victory against Mahoning Valley. The Showcase ended with a 4-0 loss to Santa Fe.
"Overall, I was happy with the way we competed and the how some of the rookies performed" Chad Johnson, the head coach of the FM Jets said. "We aren't ready conditioning wise, but that will soon change."
Veterans Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) and Chris Connolly (Duluth, MN) made an immediate impact scoring six and five points respectively. Echternach had a team-high three goals over the four games. Newcomer Andrew Harrison (Temperance, MI) -formerly of the Texas Tornado - also made his presence known with three points, two of which were goals including the game winner in the Wichita Falls game.
However, after losing six of their top seven scorers, and 10 of their top 12 from last season's team the FM Jets need rookies to step up and a few did that. Former Thief River Falls High standout Robby Phillip had three points (2 goals) and former Grand Forks Red River star Marc Mihulka scored the game winning goal in the Mahoning Valley game.
New Rules Produce Numerous Penalties
Following the precedent set by the National Hockey League, USA Hockey (which encompasses the NAHL) is cracking down on hooking, holding and all types of interference penalties this season to the point of zero tolerance. The result during the first week of NAHL play was numerous penalties and subsequent power play situations.
The FM Jets were called for 80 minutes worth of penalties, which puts them on pace for 1240 for the season which would actually be less than the 1282 the team had last season. However, the difference is that most of the penalties resulted in a man advantage. All told the FM Jets were short-handed 35 times, which puts them on pace to be down a player more than 500 times this season well more then the 311 short-handed situation the squad faced last year.
"Its going to take everyone a while to get used to the new rules, but we are in the same boat as every other team and the rules aren't effecting us any more or less than the rest of the teams" said Johnson.
The FM Jets did benefit from the rules as well, as the team had 32 power plays, scoring on four of them.
Parity Shows at Showcase
While Team USA went 4-0 and Santa Fe finished 3-0-1, parity was the name of the game at the NAHL Showcase. Five teams, including the FM Jets, finished 2-2-0 at the Showcase.
The Central Division and South Division teams went 12-10-2, with the North Division finishing 12-11-1.
Layoff
With the Showcase now over, the FM Jets don't play again until they begin a seven-game home stand Sept. 28 with a match up with the Alaska Avalanche. That game will begin a stretch of three straight game days and also kicks off the longest home stand of the year at the Carlson Coliseum.
However, before they return to the ice for a game, the FM Jets are in the middle of their longest layoff of the year. With the conclusion of the showcase on Sept. 16, the FM Jets began an 11 day respite.
Last Week
Sept. 13 Traverse City (Showcase) 3-5 Loss
Sept. 14 Wichita Falls (Showcase) 3-2 Win
Sept. 15 Mahoning Valley (Showcase) 4-2 Win
Sept. 16 Santa Fe (Showcase) 0-4 Loss
Next Games
Sept. 28 Alaska Avalanche 7:35pm
Sept. 29 Alaska Avalanche 7:35pm
Sept. 30 Alaska Avalanche 7:05pm
North American Hockey League Stories from September 18, 2006
- Roadrunners shine at NAHL Showcase - Topeka Pilots
- Willms, Ritter named NAHL Players of the Week - NAHL
- Bobcats Scratch to 3-1 in Showcase - Bismarck Bobcats
- Team USA wins NAHL Showcase Tournament - NAHL
- Innovative Promotions Enhance FM Jets' Home Schedule - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- FM Jets Start Season with 2-2 Record at Showcase - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Phantoms drop Showcase finale - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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