Jets Win on Road, Wahpeton Game Suspended
November 29, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) The Fargo-Moorhead Jets defeated the Minnesota Blizzard 6-2 on Nov. 26, but still fell out of first place in the North American Hockey League West Division standings.
Despite their one win, the Jets (15-4-1, 31) dropped because the Helena Bighorns (15-5-3, 33) won two games this weekend, giving them a two-point edge for first place. Fargo-Moorhead has won five consecutive games, while Helena has won six straight.
The weekend also featured the first-ever suspended game in the Jets' short history. Due to poor ice conditions, the Jets' game on Nov. 27 in Wahpeton, ND against Minnesota was suspended midway through the second period.
With 13:33 remaining in the second period, and the Jets leading 2-0, play was stopped when a sizable crack formed in the ice to the side of the south goal. Officials spent nearly 25 minutes trying to fix the hole in the ice but were unsuccessful.
It was a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise great evening for fans at the Stearn Arena. Proceeds from the packed-house crowd of over 500, went to the Breckenridge-Wahpeton Youth Hockey Association.
A make-up date will be announced shortly, with the possibility of their being a "doubleheader" between the Jets and Minnesota a possibility when the Blizzard are scheduled to play at the Carlson Coliseum.
Fans in Wahpeton were all given complimentary tickets to upcoming Jets games in Fargo.
Now the Fargo-Moorhead Jets get set for a three-game road series in Fairbanks, Alaska against the IceDogs. While Fairbanks is in the North Division of the NAHL, they are playing teams in the West and the South only. The three games will be the last time the Jets face an opponent outside the West Division for the rest of the regular season.
"We are looking forward to this trip, it should be fun for the guys" said head coach Todd Knott. "However, we must all remember we are their to do a job, so its a business trip."
Meanwhile, veterans such as Matt Grasseschi (Great Falls, MT) have spoke highly of the trip. Grasseschi made previous trips to Fairbanks during his time with the Great Falls Americans of the former America West Hockey League.
Friday November 26 @ Minnesota Blizzard
Alexandria (MN) John Kovacs (White Bear Lake, MN) scored twice, and Chris Myhro (Eden Prairie, MN) had four assists as the Fargo-Moorhead Jets defeated the Minnesota Blizzard 6-2 at the Runestone Community Center on Friday night.
Minnesota struck first on a Shawn Bitzan power play goal 11:15 into the first period. However, the Jets tied the game five minutes later.
Kovacs finished off a two-on-one break to tie the game. Dain Prewitt (Westminister, CO) skated into the zone and dished off to Kovacs who tied the game with a wrist shot that went between the legs of Minnesota goalie Marcus Paulson.
In the second period, the Jets simply took command of the game with four tallies. Tom Dickhudt (Woodbury, MN) started the onslaught at 1:33. After his initial shot from the right circle was stopped, Dickhudt knocked home the subsequent rebound giving Fargo-Moorhead the 2-1 lead.
Phil Fox (Stillwater, MN) extended the lead with a power play goal at 3:04 of the second period. Bob Preece (Bonita Springs, FL) made it 4-1 when he wrist shot from the left boards beat Paulson's glove side. Prewitt then completed the second period scoring with another power play goal at 12:55.
Ryan Hawkins gave the Blizzard some hope with a goal 1:26 into the third period, but any comeback hopes were dashed on Kovacs' second goal with 10:32 remaining.
The win is the Jets' fifth straight, and maintains a tie atop the NAHL West Division. Helena also won on Friday night, so the Jets and Bighorns are tied with 31 points each.
Last Week's Results
11/26 @ Minnesota Blizzard 6-2 Win
11/27 Minnesota Blizzard - Game played in Wahpeton, ND. Play suspended due to poor ice conditions with 13:33 left in the second period with the Jets leading 2-0. Play will resume at a later date.
This Week's Results
12/2 @ Fairbanks Ice Dogs 10:05pm (CST)
12/3 @ Fairbanks IceDogs 10:30pm (CST)
12/4 @ Fairbanks IceDogs 10:30pm (CST)
Next Home Game
12/17 Minnesota 7:00pm Teddy Bear Toss Promotion
Top Ranking The Fargo-Moorhead Jets have spent most of the season either in first place, or closely behind, in the North American Hockey League's West Division. Now the Jets can add another feather in their cap for the 2004-2005 season. Fargo-Moorhead is the top ranked NAHL team in the latest Massey Ratings, released on Nov. 22. The Massey Ratings are a scientific system used for analyzing various sports leagues. More specific information on the Massey Ratings can be found at www.masseyratings.com and at oursportscentral.com
Winning Streak The Jets are currently on a five-game winning streak, which is tied for the longest of the season. Fargo-Moorhead won five straight in mid October. During this latest winning streak, the Jets have outscored their opponents 26-9. Individually, Phil Fox (Stillwater, MN), Creighton Scarpone (Buchanan, MI) and Tom Dickhudt (Woodbury, MN have had six points. Trevor Bruess (Minneapolis, MN) has had five points.
In net, Andy Stricker has won gone 4-0-0 with a GAA of just over 1.00 and a save percentage over 95%.
The longest win streak in franchise history is seven, accomplished in early March of last season.
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 STAR 103.9.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 29, 2004
- Jets Win on Road, Wahpeton Game Suspended - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
