Jets Can't Climb Out of Early Hole, 4-3
February 23, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
(Owatonna, MN) It was another three goal 1st period this month on the road that costs the Jets a step forward at Southern MN, 4-3.
Adam Buegler from New Ulm, MN was playing in his backyard when the Express welcomed him to the NAHL. Buegler struggled to maintain his dominance after giving up an early power-play goal to Robby Spalding making it 1-0. The Jets had every opportunity to get even and take the lead but couldn't. It would be a defensive special team's goal as the 4-on-4 ended and the Jets were on the man advantage only to see it all go wrong. Ben Danford found the puck lying in the neutral zone and went into to Buegeler without actually taking a shot as it slid between his legs. The period would end with another goal with 2:07 remaining from the top of the left circle by Kyle Olson making 3-0.
The second started with Elliot Okland replacing Buegler who stopped only five of eight shots. Okland would be tested early in his return to the crease since February 7th at Bismarck. Elliot kept the game within striking distance for his team as Mike Schumacher got the Jets on the board at 3-1. That would be the beginning of a hard fought comeback by the Jets. After Spalding netted another goal to make it 4-1, the Express would score no more. It would be Jordy Trottier taking a perfect feed from Andrew Harrison to once again pull within two goals at 4-2. Trottier would catch the post in the period as well but it would end at 4-2, Express.
The third period had definitely been set up for the Jets to get closer with two separate 5-on-3 power-plays but hardly any shots were penetrated on tender Scott Pederson. The Express would find two posts of their own but were held off the board. A costly turnover in their own zone by the Express, led to a Robby Philipp steal and bury to make things interesting at 4-3 with over 13:00 minutes to play. Time after time it seemed as if Southern MN had the Jets' number from the opening face-off by Brian Arrigoni. With Okland heading to the bench late to give the extra-attacker with under a minute to play, they couldn't get the tying goal and fell 4-3.
Special teams were the difference as a short-handed goal loomed from the first period late in game and might have been the early nail. Harrison finished with two assists and Okland made 19 of 20 saves in the two periods of relief. The Jets were 2 for 13 on the PP while the Express got 2 of 6 on their man advantages. Alexandria lost 5-2 at Bismarck and Springfield fell 3-1 at home versus North Iowa to keep the Jets in fourth place of the Central.
The FM Jets Junior A Hockey Club is in its fifth 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 32nd year of operation. For more information, visit fmjets.com or call (701) 235-2354.
Jets home games are played at the John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, ND. All games are broadcasted on fmjets.com and video broadcast through B/2 Network.
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