Icedogs start campaign with emphasis on defense
Published on September 9, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fairbanks Ice Dogs News Release
Speed. Toughness. Smart play. Those words are the keys that IceDogs head coach John LaFontaine hopes will elevate his team's level of play and bring a league championship back to Bozeman.
After finishing up strong last year in order to make up for the slow start, the IceDogs took notes on what went right versus what went wrong last season, and they have their game plan ready for action.
The IceDogs have already sent a strong message to the Billings Bulls and the rest of the NAHL West Division that they are ready to play.
If anyone entered the arena on Saturday thinking this was a pre-season game, those thoughts quickly vanished when the puck dropped. Both teams fought a hard battle until the IceDogs opened the game up in the third period, winning 4-1 and sending over 1800 fans home pumped up about this year's team.
IceDogs' goalies Josh Kassel and newcomer Matt Cleveland were very solid in net. Kassel started and played during the first 30 minutes of the contest, making 19 saves. Cleveland came in half way through the second period and finished off with 17 saves.
The only Billings goal came at 9:59 of the second period when A.J. Woodord snuck one past the goal line.
The IceDogs came out of the locker room in the third with a fury, and Josh Sorenson put the puck in the net at the 3:02 mark, giving Josh Heidinger his first of two assists. About three minutes later, Ryan Ward got an easy goal after a series of acrobatic moves by Josh Heidinger. With two minutes left in the game, Graham McManamin snipered a shot off of a hard rebound from the left face off circle to put the game away, 4-1.
The IceDogs return to play this Friday as they take on the Helena Bighorns in a back-to-back weekend against the 'Horns playing here on Friday and Helena on Saturday.
Key defensive returns like Josh Meyers, Zach McKelvie, and Jason Woll lead a blue line that is looking to leave opponents shaking their heads. With the help of newcomer Brett Nylander from Lake of the Woods High School in Minnesota, Coach LaFontaine doesn't see why the IceDogs shouldn't dominate the standings all year long.
"We'll be a team that has a much more skilled defense than last year," said LaFontaine. "We're faster all around, but the defense is what we really were looking to improve on."
Players are also excited about the upcoming season, as they look to improve on what they accomplished last year. "We're definitely going to make a stronger effort to make the playoffs," said Meyers. "That's the most important thing this season. We want to put another banner up in the Ice Garden." A key ingredient for another banner year is the last line of defense standing between the pipes. With Kassel returning to the crease for goaltending duties, The IceDogs coaching staff is confident that their veteran netminder has what it takes to get the IceDogs into the playoffs and beyond.
"Our number one guy is back for us and that's probably going to be one of the most important factors in being successful," said LaFontaine.
"I'm excited about returning this year," said Kassel. "I think we'll be a little more consistent this season."
The Icedogs definitely have their work cut out for them this year, as two of their NAHL Western Division opponents take to the ice this season with a number of returning players. "A couple of our biggest opponents have quite a few returning players, which will make for some goods games," said LaFontaine.
The NAHL West looks a little different this year. One of the Dogs' toughest opponents from last year, the Fernie Ghostriders, no longer plays in the NAHL. They move on to the Kootenay International Hockey League.
This season fans will also see another pack of dogs come down from Alaska, when the Fairbanks Ice Dogs make their way to Bozeman for a couple of games in late October and early November.
"Fairbanks has a great team," said IceDogs assistant coach Tom Winkler. "They've been national champions in years past."
Another schedule highlight takes place in the fourth week of October when the Dogs take off to Blaine, Minnesota, for an NAHL Showcase. The IceDogs will play four games from October 20-25 against several other NAHL teams. IceDogs players will have plenty of exposure to a number of professional scouts during the showcase.
"Scouts from Division I and III schools as well as a number of NHL scouts will get a good look at our players," said Winkler.
All in all, everyone on the team from LaFontaine to the equipment crew is excited about this season's prospects. "A championship is always our goal," said LaFontaine. "We've put together a very solid team for this year, and as long as we play up to our own standards, there shouldn't be anything standing in our way."
North American Hockey League Stories from September 9, 2004
- Another big test for the 'Dogs - Bozeman Icedogs
- Wildcats sweep Spirit in exhibition openers - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Spirit to start new season with new colors - Alaska Avalanche
- Icedogs start campaign with emphasis on defense - Fairbanks Ice Dogs
- IceDiggers sweep showcase weekend - Alpena IceDiggers
- Bighorns make clean sweep in Utah - Helena Bighorns
- Jets open training camp - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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.
