Hockey is back in Fargo-Moorhead
Published on September 28, 2005 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) It's expected to be nearly 80 degrees on Friday in the Red River Valley, but for the first time since last spring it will be a hockey night in Fargo-Moorhead. The FM Jets (2-0-0) face the Minnesota Blizzard (first game) in their 2005-2006 home opener at the John E. Carlson Coliseum.
The Jets started the season with a two-game sweep at Bismarck on Sept. 16, 17 then had last weekend off in preparation for the team's home opener this week. It was actually the team's only full week off this season with exception to an 11-day layoff for the Christmas Holiday.
For the FM Jets, the home opener will be the team's first action in front of their hometown fans since Game 2 of the Borne Cup Finals on April 15, and for the Jets they will be looking to recapture the momentum the team had on home ice last year.
Including a perfect 4-0 record in the playoffs, the FM Jets went 24-5-0 at the Carlson Coliseum, and actually won their last eight home games. The Jets haven't lost at home since a 5-2 set-back to Fairbanks on Feb. 19.
Fargo-Moorhead will also be trying to recapture the momentum it had off-the-ice as well. The Jets saw an attendance increase of nearly 100% last season, over the team's inaugural campaign a year before. Fargo-Moorhead finished with an average of 775 fans per each regular season home game, then averaged 1,033 in four playoff home games.
Fargo-Moorhead is a perfect 2-0 in home openers in franchise history, defeating Bismarck each time in similar fashion. Two years ago, the Jets blew a 3-0 lead to Bismarck, only to sneak out a 4-3 victory on a Neal Schneider goal.
Last season, the Jets again took a 3-0 lead on Bismarck, only to see their rivals come back to tie the game in the third period. However, Todd Alexander won the game for the Jets with a goal in the shootout.
Fans can expect a few changes this season at FM Jets games, starting with entering the building. Fans will now purchase all tickets - general admission and reserved - at the Coliseum's box office windows in the entrance way. Fans will then have their ticket stubs ripped as they enter the lobby. In year's past, fans would enter the lobby, then have their ticket stubs ripped as they entered the seating area.
In addition, the FM Jets have brought ushers in for the season who will help assist fans in the seating area.
Finally, fans will also have an opportunity to send messages directly to the player of their choice at any FM Jets home game this season. Fans will have the option of stopping by the new fan service window and fill out a card with a personalized message and have it delivered to the player of their choice immediately following the game.
The FM Jets will continue to practice at the Teamster's Rink (located next to the Coliseum) on Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30am-1:30pm.
The FM Jets are the 2005 Borne Cup Champions and are entering 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.
Jets home games are played at the John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, ND. All games are broadcast at STAR 103.9 and fmjets.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2005
- Former Icedigger announcer gets D-1 post - Alpena IceDiggers
- Moreland now a Thunderbird - Bismarck Bobcats
- Icedogs to face Bighorns for the first time this season - Bozeman Icedogs
- Tornado update - Texas Tornado
- Hockey is back in Fargo-Moorhead - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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