Jets Bitten Twice Shy, 4-2
January 26, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
(Fargo, ND) The Jets' engines were roaring as Marc Mihulka, Tyler Klein, Jordy Trottier, Mark Johnson, and Tim Niedzielak took the ice with Elliot Okland minding the goal. Coming from a 4-2 let down last night against the Blizzard, the Jets were looking for their first home game win since early November. But, as the Bobcats just scraped by with a 3-2 win, the Jets began to wonder if the John E. Carlson coliseum was cursed.
As the puck dropped, Mark Mihulka peeled it off the center line to help the Jets swipe the face-off and give Jordy Trottier the first shot of the game just thirty seconds later which was sniped by the glove of Bobcat goalie, Jake Kramer. Little did Kramer know that he would have his work cut out for him tonight as that was one of the many saves that he would have to contest from the Jets' machine gun?
At 16:38, Tyler Klein shot what everyone thought would be the first goal of the night, but not only did the puck end up in the net, but Klein and Kramer came tumbling after. Not to worry, though, because the Jets rebuked that not even two minutes later. Newcomer Kurt Weston made a beautiful pass across the slot to give Andrew Muir the first goal of the night on a silver platter as he shot the puck clear past Kramer's shoulder and into the goal.
Bobcat forward, Tobias Falk, decided he wanted in on the fine dining tonight and put a slap shot from the left circle past the shoulder of Okland to tie the game at ones with just over a minute left on the clock. Ending the period shorthanded from a high-sticking penalty on Tyler Swanson, the time ran away with no chance for seconds for either team.
In the second period, it was Mark Harrie and Will Aide to get the crowd a little rowdy. Dropping gloves, sticks, and then helmets, David and goliath would dueling it out with punches and shoves, but were sent to the box before the dispute was settled. With a hiss, the Bobcats doubled the score as Eric Herbel faked a pass and delicately slipped the puck through Okland's legs to give the Bobcats a 2-1 lead.
With the Bobcats constantly incessantly penetrating the Jets' zone, Okland was forced to rely on his fellow Jets' to clear the puck out of the terminal. But, as soon as that happened, a quick turnover from Will Aide brought a three-man pack of Bobcats careening towards the goal. With only Mason Swenson there to take them on, the triumvirate easily overtook him. Thrown onto his back, the only thing Okland could do was watch, upside-down, as the puck slowly rolled past the goal line, bringing the âCats up by a pair of goals.
The Jets continued to put Kramer to the test, but he unfortunately seemed to have learned from his earlier mistake and passed with flying colors. With 2:34 left on the clock, a short scuffle resulted in both teams losing their #19s to the penalty box with hopes that their opponents wouldn't score a goal in their absence. And sure enough, the period came to a finish with the Bobcats leading 3-1.
Entering the third period trailing by two goals, the Jets needed to start cooking some action. Haunted with the ghost of power play past, the Jets got another opportunity to make something happen as the Bobcats received the first penalty of the period at 13:30, courtesy of Jordy Trottier. Just: 24 seconds later, the plague lifted as Mihulka dished out an assist to Mark Harrie to put the Jets back in to the running at 3-2.
With the scoreless power-play streak out of the way, the Jets had a little more spirit in their sticks and skates, but with just under two minutes left in the game and no further scoring, coach Chad Johnson rallied the team together to make a quick flight plan to tie the score at threes. The fans started voicing their opinion as an off sides call on Klein cost the Jets a scoring opportunity. And that missed opportunity also cost them the game, continuing a home game losing streak at 3-2.
Andrew Muir and Mark Harrie both collected goals tonight, but it wasn't enough as they were overpowered by goals from Tobias Falk, Eric Herbel, and Will Aide, kicking the Jets out of the fourth place spot and down to the bottom of the barrel. With this weekend's home stand gone with the North Dakota wind, the Jets have next week to look to for a much needed home game win.
The Jets welcome North Iowa to town starting on Thursday and Friday at 7:35pm. Don't forget that Thursday is "College Night," and students from all corners of the world can get in the door for only $5.00 and enjoy ice cold taps for a buck...what a buck? Yeah, just you try and beat that deal because the coolest game in the Red River Valley takes place at the John E when the Jets play. Jets hockey, more than a game!
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North American Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2008
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