Jets hot in Alaska
February 5, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Wasilla (AK) The extremely turbulent, prayer-inducing landing on Thursday into Anchorage not withstanding, the Fargo-Moorhead Jets 12-day journey to the Alaskan Frontier has been all smiles after the first weekend. With a pair of one goal victories, the FM Jets began their five-game venture to Alaska on a positive note and were also able to maintain a six-point lead for first place in the North American Hockey League's Central Division.
The FM Jets defeated the Alaska Avalanche 4-3 on February 2 and 5-4 on Feb. 3rd at the Menard Memorial Arena in Wasilla. On Feb. 2, the FM Jets scored two goals in the opening 4:04 of the game, both by Josh Brodeen (Warroad, MN), and never looked back in the 4-3 victory. Alaska would cut the lead to one goal on three separate occasions but were never able to tie the score.
The following night, the FM Jets once again struck for two goals in the opening five minutes for a 2-0 lead, but this time Alaska was able to come back. Alaska scored the next four goals to take a 4-2 lead into the final minute of the second period. However, the FM Jets rallied, with a goal at 19:56 of the second period, and then with third period strikes by Brodeen and Brooks DeZellar (Eden Prairie, MN) to finish a 5-4 comeback win.
The comeback marks the fifth time this season the FM Jets were able to overcome a second intermission deficit and win a game. Entering this season, the FM Jets only had four third period comebacks in the franchise's previous three seasons combined.
Brodeen had his best weekend to date since joining the FM Jets in early December. He had the two goals in the Feb. 2 win, and followed that with a goal and assist on Feb. 3. In only 11 games, Brodeen already has five multiple point games.
Of course, Chris Connolly continues to plug away to the point that any production from him is becoming assumed. Connolly extended his NAHL season-high consecutive point scoring streak to 15 games. He had four assists last weekend (three alone on Feb. 3). Connolly was last held pointless December 16th in Bismarck.
Linemate Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) saw his 12-game streak snapped on Friday, but rebounded for three points on Saturday (two goals and assist).
The FM Jets also benefited from the return of defenseman David Larson (Warroad, MN), who missed the previous five games due to injury, and his presence was immediately noticed with numerous hard hits in both games.
After taking the next few days off to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Alaskan Frontier, the FM Jets will bus six hours north to Fairbanks on Wednesday to prepare for a three-game series next weekend with the Ice Dogs. The weekend series with Fairbanks will be the FM Jets' first test against a team with a winning record since a 4-1 win at Southern Minnesota on January 13th.
Lack of strong opposition is an acceptable criticism, but too this point an unproven kink in the team's armor. While 26 of the team's 43 games (.605%) have been against sub .500% competition, the FM Jets are still a solid 9-3-1 versus teams with winning records.
The FM Jets are hoping the weekend series in Fairbanks is just the first of two visits this season to the Big Dipper Arena, as the Ice Dogs will be hosting the 2007 Robertson Cup Tournament in early May. Needless to say, the next three games for the FM Jets could be serving as a time for them to case the joint so to speak.
However, the team still has to leap one hurdle at a time and that includes securing a playoff spot, then first place and so on. The FM Jets' magic number to clinch a playoff spot in still in the double-digits and no less than a two weeks away from being within reach.
Lots of Winning
With their win over Alaska on Feb. 2, the FM Jets once again stopped a two-game skid and prevented their first losing streak of the season. The FM Jets have lost back-to-back games only twice this season and have not lost more than those two games in succession.
Lacking any prolonged losing droughts, the FM Jets have parlayed that into one of their best records in team history through 43 games. At 29-12-2 (.698%) this year's team is only slightly behind that of the 2004-2005 pace of 30-12-1 (.709%).
The 2004-2005 team finished with a franchise high 36 regular season wins. The all-time area record for wins is the 1974-1975 Fargo-Moorhead Sugar Kings of the Midwest Junior Hockey League who won 37.
No Overtime Pay
The FM Jets have played a NAHL-low three games that have gone to overtime. The FM Jets are 1-1 in games decided in overtime and 0-1 in shootout games. In fact, the FM Jets haven't won a shootout since November 26, 2005 at Alexandria.
Spaghetti on Skates
On Wednesday March 7 at the Carlson Coliseum, the FM Jets' Host Families will be gathering for a fundraiser deemed, "Spaghetti on Skates". The event begins at 6:45pm that night, but all tickets must be pre-purchased through the FM Jets' offices by calling 235-2354.
Attendees will sit at tables on the Coliseum ice while FM Jets' players will skate their pasta dinners out to them.
The cost is $15 per adult, and $10 per child.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2007
- IceDiggers host Phantoms this weekend - Alpena IceDiggers
- Jets hot in Alaska - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Wildcats Split Series With Bandits - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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