Jets Sweep Minnesota, Prewitt Extends Streak
January 24, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) Dain Prewitt (Westminster, CO) extended his consecutive scoring streak to officially ten, Andy Stricker (St. George, UT) earned his first shutout of the season and the Fargo-Moorhead Jets swept the Minnesota Blizzard in North American Hockey League action this past weekend.
Plus, a season-high crowd of 1,127 were at the Carlson Coliseum Saturday night, cementing this as one of the Jets' best weekends so far this season.
The Jets won both ends of a rare doubleheader on January 22, 5-1 at the Carlson Coliseum, then completed the sweep of the Blizzard with a 1-0 victory on January 23 in Alexandria, MN.
Prewitt finished the weekend with five points (2 goals, 3 assists), and extended his scoring streak to ten consecutive games. He scored in all three games this weekend, which actually means he has netted points in 11 straight Jets' games. However, the opener of the doubleheader on Jan. 22, was the resumption of a suspended game on November 27, so it doesn't count in the latest streak.
The weekend was also highlighted by veteran goaltender Andy Stricker's first shutout of the season. After several near misses, Stricker finally earned his fourth shutout in two seasons with the Jets, in Fargo-Moorhead's 1-0 win in Alexandria. Stricker made 15 saves in the effort.
Its only the second shutout of the season for the Jets. Former Jet Dan DiLeo shutout Springfield (MO) 3-0 at the NAHL Showcase on Oct. 22.
Kyle Graalum (Fargo, ND) also had a productive weekend with 3 points (2 goals, 1 assists), and Matt Moreland (Grand Forks, ND) had 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists). His one goal was the game-winner at Minnesota in the 1-0 victory.
The six-point weekend moves the Fargo-Moorhead Jets to 26-10-1 with 53 points, and back into a first-place tie with the Billings Bulls. Keep in mind that the Jets have played three fewer games then the Bulls. In addition, the point-filled weekend has started to create some separation in what had been a division tighter then a pair of leather pants.
While the Jets and Bulls have 53 points, third place Helena has 45 points and Minnesota is at 44 points.
January 22 (DH) vs. Minnesota Game 1 5-1 Win
Game 2 5-1 Win
Fargo (ND) In a rare double-header, the Fargo-Moorhead Jets came away with two wins in one evening as they swept the Minnesota Blizzard.
The first game of the double-header was the completion of a game that was held in Wahpeton, ND on Nov. 27, 2004 and was postponed due to ice conditions. The Jets and the Blizzard played the final 13:33 of the second period and the final period resulting in a 5-1 win for Fargo-Moorhead. The original score going into the game was 1-0. Drew Mahar (Olympia, WA) opened the Jets scoring in the final half of the second period with a goal assisted by Matt Moreland (Grand Forks, ND) and Dain Prewitt (Westminster, CO). Tom Dickhudt (Woodbury, MN) extended the Jet lead when he picked up a short-handed unassisted goal.
Heading into the third period the Jets were leading the Blizzard 4-1 and sealed the deal when Jon Skoog (Long Lake, MN) put away an empty-net goal with just seconds remaining in the game.
The second game of the double-header against the Blizzard started off with a penalty filled first period. While 20 total penalties were called in the opening period, each team was able to net a goal apiece, making the game 1-1. The Blizzard started the scoring early when Tony Selvog beat Jet goalie Andy Stricker (St. George, UT) just 4:22 into the period. Just minutes later Jet forward Chris Myhro (Eden Prairie, MN) came out from behind the net and managed a wraparound goal as the puck trickled between the legs of Blizzard goalie Clay Nestor.
The second period brought more scoring for the Jets as they scored two goals to gain the lead for the first time in the game. Kyle Graalum (Fargo, ND) scored his first goal of the night at 8:04 of the period when he picked up the rebound after a long shot from the point. The assists went to Prewitt (Westminster, CO) and Ryan Cramer (Rio Rancho, NM).
The next goal for the Jets also resulted off a rebound. Todd Alexander (New Hope, MN) buried the rebound after Joe Schuster (Grand Rapids, MN) and Cramer (Rio Rancho, NM) started a 2-on-1 play that ended in the goal.
The final period brought another two goals for the Jets. At 9:38 Bob Preece (Bonita, FL) scored a powerplay goal at 9:38 into the period and Graalum (Fargo, ND) picked up his second goal in the game at 16:59. Prewitt finished the game with three assists while Cramer (Rio Rancho, NM) picked up two. The game-winner was credited to Graalum (Fargo, ND). The Jets finished the night gathering two wins good for four points.
January 23 @ Minnesota 1-0 Win
Alexandria (MN) Andy Stricker (St. George, UT) has had many close calls this season with shutouts. Each time, a fluke goal here, or a defensive breakdown there cost him his first one of the 2004-2005 season.
Well, Stricker finally has his first shutout of the season and in the process vaults the Jets into a first-place tie in the North American Hockey League's West Division.
Stricker made 15 saves, and Matt Moreland (Grand Forks, ND) scored a power play goal as the Jets defeated the Minnesota Blizzard 1-0 before 149 fans at the Runestone Community Center. The win completes a three-game weekend sweep for the Jets over Minnesota, and marks the Blizzard's first one-goal loss all season.
A game that featured very few scoring opportunities saw its only goal come in very picturesque fashion.
At 8:24 of the second period, Dain Prewitt (Westminster, CO) was stationed along the left boards. He passed to Kyle Graalum (Fargo, ND) in the left corner who then feed the puck to Moreland who was all alone at the top of the crease. Moreland promptly one-timed the puck past Minnesota goaltender Marcus Paulson for his seventh tally of the season.
Prewitt's assist extends his scoring streak to officially ten games, which is the longest active streak in the NAHL.
Paulson would shut the Jets out the rest of the way, but his offense couldn't get the equalizer.
Stricker would stop Karl Larsen who blasted a shot from slot as the second period ended. He then robbed Sean Fish with a toe save late in the third period.
The loss is Minnesota's fourth in a row, their longest losing streak of the season.
The Jets killed off each of Minnesota's three power play chances, and went 11/12 in penalty kills this weekend which is a good sign for a unit that had been struggling.
Last Week's Results
1/21 @ Minnesota PPD-Snow
1/22 (1) Minnesota 5-1 Win
1/22 (2) Minnesota 5-1 Win
1/23 @ Minnesota 1-0 Win
This Week's Games
1/28 Bozeman 7:05pm 70's Night
1/29 Bozeman 7:05pm Team Poster Giveaway
The FM Jets are in their second 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 29th 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 sportsjuice.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2005
- Jets Sweep Minnesota, Prewitt Extends Streak - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
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