Indians Flex Muscle in Key NAHL Match-Up with Springfield
Published on January 28, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Indians News Release
The Kewadin Casinos Indians Hockey team showed tremendous resolve this weekend by taking three of four points from the second place Springfield Jr. Blues in Springfield, IL after the shaking news on Tuesday of the Tribal Board decision to fold the team at the conclusion of the this season.
Friday evening's game was a defensive gem as regulation ended scoreless. With :41 seconds left in overtime, the Junior Blues capitalized on a three-on-two odd man rush, breaking the deadlock with a goal by Blue's forward Solberg and earning the two points. Getting a single point in the overtime game was not a disaster to Indians coach Joe Shawhan after the difficult week leading up to the weekend. "What a great game for the players to come into this environment and block everything out and earn a point. A win tomorrow and we have a better weekend than the last time we were here and that would be a tremendous accomplishment" stated Shawhan.
In late December, the Indians split a two game set in Springfield losing the opener 3-2 and capturing the second game by a 4-1 score. Saturday night the Indians did just as was hoped by returning the favor and dropping the Junior Blues in overtime fashion before the first sell-out crowd in Springfield in four years. The 2,300 in attendance were treated to a fast, hard hitting contest, which saw the Indians climb to a 3-1 lead before Springfield answered with two power play goals in the 3rd period to force overtime. Two minutes into the extra session the NAHL's leading scorer Logan Bittle, snuck behind the Jr. Blues defense and got a pass from Stavros Paskaris and tucked the puck into a wide open goal. Veli-Antti Leinonen also received an assist on the winning goal.
Other scorers for the Indians in the game were Justin Gutwald, who scored on the power play; while Jim Pentecost and Drew Styma also scored for the Indians. Stavros Paskaris collected two assists in the game while Gutwald, Styma, Leinonen, and Pentecost received single helpers. League leading goaltender Derek MacIntyre, who is being heavily scouted for this summer's NHL entry draft; collected his 20th win of the year against no losses and two overtime defeats.
Notice Schedule Change: Indians to Host Toledo on January 30th-31st!
Due to the Dayton Gems hockey club and their decision to cease operations, various schedule changes are in effect regarding the Soo Kewadin Casino Indians remaining game schedule in the North American Hockey League.
Due to the change in league scheduling, the Indians will host the Toledo Icediggers on January 30th -31st in Sault Ste. Marie at the Chi Mukwa Community Recreation Center, instead of the traveling to Dayton to the play the now disbanded Dayton Gems. Game times are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Indians record stands at a league best 29-2-6 in NAHL play and 35-2-6 over all.
This is the ninth straight season that the Indians have won over thirty games. This weekend the Indians return home after a nine game road swing with games Friday and Saturday against the Toledo Icediggers. The Indians are looking for sellout crowds in support of what may be their final season entertaining the fans of Sault Ste. Marie.
Note: Fans and local media should be aware that various other schedule changes are pending, however, those changes are pending prior approval from the league office and will be announced at a later date. To confirm upcoming game times and dates, fans and local media should visit our web site at www.sooindians.com for the latest in schedule adjustments.
Paskaris Named Northern Division Offensive Player of the Week!
January 21, 2004--Stavros Paskaris led the showcase in scoring with 6 goals and 3 assists for 9 points, including a hat-trick the final day against Helena. Paskaris also scored a goal in the 3-0 win over the Texas Tornado.
For the season, Paskaris is 3rd on the team and 3rd in the league in scoring with 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points.
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North American Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2004
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