Jets weekly
January 2, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Friday Night After one period of play the score was tied and at the end of the game it was not as the Bismarck Bobcats nailed the Jets, 5-1.
The Jets would blast 15 first period shots to Bismarck's nine but couldn't solve Jake Kremer and their power-play going 0-3. In a game where a loss meant four points down the Jets knew they needed to get out early and often on the puck control and scoreboard and did just that after 20 minutes of play. So that's where we stood scoreless after one, 0-0.
The second period started with yet another advantage, a two man advantage for: 06 but nothing was gained and everything was lost. The Jets would fall behind on a 5-3 screened goal by Ryan Kayfes putting the Bobcats up 1-0. The lead would hold for less than a minute as Andrew Harrison split the defense and Justin Kirchevel lassoed his pass making it 1-1 with plenty of time to play. The Bobcats would come back and take the lead for good on sniper by Kyle Maggard late in the period sending the Jets in a tirade 2-1 after two.
Things continued to get worse as the Jets would never score again and gave up some soft goals resulting in a 5-1 Bismarck win and their fourth in a row over the Jets. Tye Lewis would tack on another late continuing his dominance over the rival Jets.
Saturday Night Having not faired well against Bismarck, the Jets cut lose for eight goals in a route of the Bobcats, 8-1.
The Jets came out early and often on the puck able to get a rebound from Mark Johnson between the legs of Cats' tender Reilly by Andrew Muir making 1-0. It would remain a one goal game after the Bobcats had a 5-3 power-play for over one minute but couldn't get a clean look. They would end up burying one late in the first by Cody Keefer knotting the score at 1-1 after one.
The second period would open with more of the same Jets fury as they hammer home goals by Marc Harrie, Dakota Collins and Mike Schumacher putting the Bobcats back 4-1. Every chance the Bobcats got would be denied and swept out of the offensive zone by the Jets as a whole. It looked the like for the first time in awhile the Jets played as a team, having fun and having success on the ice. The second would come to a closure with the Jets up 4-1 and in command.
If four goals wasn't enough the Jets would use another power-play from Robby Philipp in the slot adding the whip cream to the pie, 5-1. Tyler Klein and Dakota Collins would end up finding each other on two separate occasions putting the cherry on top and the route was on for an 8-1 final. It was Collins puck awareness tonight that set him apart from the rest of the guys. As soon as he made a play coach Johnson left him in and all he did was score, score, score!
Collins finished with four points (2G, 2A) as did Tyler Klein and Jets break their winless streak against the Bobcats.
Monday Having not beaten the Bobcats in two previous starts Elliot Okland turned aside his first shut out of the season 6-0.
The Jets jumped right into the first period wasting no time as Robby Philipp brought the puck in on a 2-1 break with Marc Harrie, making a beautiful pass that Harrie couldn't handle keeping it 0's. Not more than five seconds later a turnover by the Bobcats and Jordy Trottier got the eventually game winner. The period would end with the Jets on top 1-0.
The second would once again open with the Jets controlling the game and the puck as Robby Philipp nailed home two power-play goals extending the lead 3-0. Every time Bismarck would get a window on Okland he would smoother the puck, give no rebounds and take no prisoners. Another Trottier goal and the Jets would be up 4-0 and feel quite comfortable after two periods.
It would prove to be a period of plays, hits and ejections as Ryan Kayfes was tossed for a game misconduct with under 2:00 to go. Tyler Klein and Cody Bottom would give the Jets their final two goals in the stomping of Bismarck for the second consecutive game. The win gives Okland his third in a row and on the road bringing his mark to 10-10-2 on the season.
Trottier and Philipp each netted a pair of goals and had an assist in the win. Okland made 31 saves and has extended his scoreless streak to 100:24 dating back to the first period of Saturday night's 8-1 blowout. The Jets will head to North Iowa with a new look and sense of confidence after getting 14 goals in the final two games.
New Year, New Look The Jets will be wearing the red jerseys at home for the remainder of the season and the whites on the road. The reds proved to be winners on Monday in shut out fashion 6-0 as different players contributed all around.
Second Half Push It's time for boys to get a leg up on teams within the Central and they started by doing so in Bismarck winning 8-1 and 6-0 to round out the series. Things don't get any easier from here on out as the Jets hit the highway en route to North Iowa for a crucial pair of games and with Okland playing well in his last three starts, 3-0 with a 1.33 GAA they need every ounce of everyone to make it happen.
Tough Middle Race The Jets will have their hands full with the middle pack of the Central division for the rest of the season as Alexandria is reeling with another set of wins over Southern MN. Springfield had a chance to over take the Outlaws for the top spot but fell in back-to-back games Sunday and Monday. Southern MN sits in third place with 33 points and in the midst of a four game losing streak against the Blizzard. The Bobcats and Jets are tied at 26 points and the Jets have the fourth spot in the division with one game less played.
Look Around the League
Alexandria vs. Southern MN W 3-2 and W 9-6
Springfield vs. North Iowa W 5-4, L 5-3 and L 6-4
North American Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2008
- Stars deal for Marquette's Jean - Traverse City North Stars
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Opens New Year With Games Against Ferris State and Geneseo State - U.S. National Team
- Bobcats face Blizzard Friday - Bismarck Bobcats
- Jets weekly - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Jets name players of the week - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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