Loss Drops Jets from First Place
December 13, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) In slow pitch softball, a batter gets one swing at a pitch. A miss results in a quick strikeout. For the Fargo-Moorhead Jets, a similar scenario played out last weekend.
The Jets (17-6-1) lost 4-3 in Alexandria, MN on Dec. 11 against the Minnesota Blizzard, in their lone game scheduled for last week.
In other words, a swing and a miss, and just like the batter who has to feel the glare of disappointed teammates on the way back to the bench, the Jets had to endure the pain of falling from first place.
The loss, coupled with a Helena victory over Bismarck, drops the Jets into second place in the North American Hockey League's West Division. Helena has 37 points, while the Jets have 35.
In the only game of the week for the Jets âafter spending the previous week in Fairbanks, Alaska â the team seemed to have trouble turning on the engines. After an initial flurry in the first five minutes against Minnesota, the Jets were unable to control play the rest of the game.
"I was very disappointed in the way we showed up not ready to play" commented head coach Todd Knott . "When you only have 60 minutes to play in a week, I expect guys to come ready to play that."
The Jets overcame 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to tie the game in the second period. However, Minnesota scored two unanswered to open up a 4-2 lead. A goal in the final minute of regulation for the Jets came too late.
Blizzard forward, Ryan Hawkins continued to pester the Jets, with a goal and an assist. He now has 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) against Fargo-Moorhead in six games.
Elliot Okland (Fargo, ND) took the loss in goal for the Jets, in just his second start in Junior A hockey. Okland also suffered a loss in Minnesota on Nov. 5.
Fargo-Moorhead is now 3-3-0 versus the Minnesota Blizzard after dominating the series 9-3-0 during the 2003-2004 season.
On the positive side, the game ended what was still a fairly good road trip for the Jets. Fargo-Moorhead went 3-2-0 on a five game road swing.
Now Fargo-Moorhead gets ready to return to the John E. Carlson Coliseum where the Jets will play five of their next six. The Jets are 8-2-0 at the Coliseum this season. However, this homestand will be broken up by an eight-day layoff next week as the NAHL takes time off to let players enjoy the opportunity of being home for the holidays.
Nonetheless, this weekend is shaping up to be an important one off-the-ice for the Jets who are expecting a pair of large crowds. On Friday Dec. 17, the Jets host Minnesota at 7pm on "Air the Bear" night. Fans are invited to bring Teddy Bears to the game and when the Jets score their first goal, fans are encouraged to throw them on the ice. The bears will be collected and donated to; the Rape and Abuse Center, MeritCare Children's Hospital and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Then on Sunday Dec. 19, Billings makes their final appearance in the area this season for a 7pm face-off on Neighbors Night Part II.
Last Week's Results
12/11 @ Minnesota 3-4 Loss
This Week's Games
12/17 Minnesota 7:05pm Air the Bear âTeddy Bear Toss
12/19 Billings 7:05pm Neighbors Night Part II
Record Setting Pace? Through 24 games, Phil Fox (Stillwater, MN) has 16 goals which puts him on pace for close to 40 for the season. This is a pace to set a new Fargo-Moorhead Junior A hockey single-season record.
Tyler Arnason holds the record for goals (37) and assists (45) during the 1997-1998 season for the Ice Sharks of the United State Hockey League. After his time with the Ice Sharks, Arnason went on to St. Cloud State before landing with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2001-2002 season. He is currently playing in a German League while the NHL Lockout is ongoing.
Former Jets Update Mark Agnew has five assists in 13 games for Quinnipiac in Atlantic Hockey. Josh Schaeffer has an assist in 14 games for Air Force in College Hockey America. Shane Holman has an assist in 11 games for the Bemidji State Beavers also in College Hockey America.
Brandon Svendsen has 13 points (8 goals, 5 assists) in 23 games for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the United States Hockey League.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2004
- US National Team weekly report - U.S. National Team
- Loss Drops Jets from First Place - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
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