Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary
November 9, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
(Alexandria, MN) Friday night, the Minnesota Blizzard Hockey team enjoyed the view from first place in the North American Hockey League's Western Division....for about an hour. A win Friday over the Fargo-Moorhead Jets put the Blizzard in a tie for the top spot, with 21 points. However, two wins by Billings over the weekend has the Blizzard in a three-way tie with Helena and Fargo-Moorhead for second place, entering the second weekend of November.
Friday, 11/5/04: The Blizzard welcomed the Fargo-Moorhead Jets to the Runestone Community Center in Alexandria, for the first time this season. Similar to a game at Fargo last month, the Jets pounced on Minnesota, for an early lead. Phil Fox scored for F-M just 14 seconds into the game. After that, Blizzard Goalie Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, MN) was simply fabulous the rest of the night, yielding only one more goal, while stopping an impressive 54 shots! On a night when the Jets were launching shots from all angles, Paulson put up a wall, and showed his value, as the last line of defense. The Blizzard strung together three straight goals to assume the lead. The first tied the game, 1-1 in the opening period, with Shawn Bitzan (Alexandria, MN) scoring on the power play, with assists from Tony Selvog (Warroad, MN) and Bobby Kuehl (St. Paul, MN). The go-ahead goal for Minnesota was an even-strength score by Dan Swanson (Menomonie, WI), who was assisted by Rylan Galiardi (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) and Jake Nelson (Superior, WI). The final Minnesota goal also came in the second period, when Forward Aaron Castle (Roseau, MN) slammed a shot past Jets net-minder Elliot Oakland on the power play at 13:54. Fargo-Moorhead narrowed the gap to 3-2 in the final period, but Paulson was kept busy in the Minnesota net, stopping 20 Jets shots in the third period alone, to preserve the Blizzard lead and ultimately, the win. In spite of the on-ice result, the Coaches, Dave Boitz and Jeff Crouse, felt that the Blizzard may have played one of its more lackluster games of the year. This game may be a microcosm of the season as a whole. Why, you ask? Because on a few occasions this season, the Blizzard has found ways to win games, on nights when the team has not been playing its best. Friday's win over Fargo-Moorhead may be an example of that. It is not a trend that teams want to fall into, but it can be a positive sign, that the club is finding different ways, to achieve a positive outcome.
Saturday, 11/6/04: For this NAHL Western Division clash, the Blizzard traveled to the Fergus Falls Fairgrounds Arena, to meet the Bismarck Bobcats. It was an opportunity to show off exciting Junior Hockey to fans in Otter Tail Country. The contest also marked a homecoming of sorts for Clay Nestor (Glenwood, MN), who enjoyed many memorable nights at the Fairgrounds Arena, while a member of the Otter Hockey team, at Fergus Falls High School. The homecoming was spoiled, though, as the Bobcats put 43 shots on goal, and skated to a 5-3 win. Former Blizzard player Matt McDonald opened the scoring for Bismarck, less than three minutes into game. Twice early on, the Bobcats had two-goal leads. Goals by Minnesota's Joey Eichstadt (Bemidji, MN) and Sam Windsor (Plymouth, MN) kept the game close in the opening period. Eichstadt's goal at 5:09 was assisted by Mark Horbacz (Hinckley, MN) and Dan McCauley (Blaine, MN). Jake Nelson and Brian Baker (Brooklyn Park, MN) assisted on the Windsor score, at 10:12 of the first period. The Blizzard briefly caught up, tying the game on Rylan Galiardi's power-play score, which came on assists from Nelson and Tim Manthey (Anoka, MN). Forty seconds into the middle period, the game was tied, 3-3, but Bismarck Goalie Matt Koenig would not let anything more get past him, the rest of the way. The Bobcats Jacques Lamoreaux scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, then added an insurance tally late in the game, to seal Bismarck's 5-3 win. The defeat was the first for the Blizzard, in regulation play, in the last four weeks, covering a span of 10 games. The loss was compounded by a concussion to Galiardi in the third period, which required him to stay overnight, at a local hospital. Galiardi's condition improved over the following day, but he will not be allowed back onto the ice, for a minimum of two weeks, pending medical clearance. After the weekend, the Blizzard stood at 10-4-1 on the season, three points behind Billings, in the Western Division standings.
Back on ice, at the RCC this weekend: The Blizzard hockey team will host two games. The Fargo-Moorhead Jets will make a return visit to Alexandria, to play the Blizzard Friday night. Then, the Billings Bulls take on the Blizzard Saturday night. Both games start at 7:00, at the Runestone Community Center. All three teams are vying for the lead, in the tightly-bunched NAHL West. Tickets can be purchased at the door. The ticket windows open an hour before home games. Advance tickets can be had, by calling the Minnesota Blizzard, at (320) 763-1413.
It's a "Wally World", and we all just live in it! The Blizzard organization is pleased to welcome back "Wally the Beer Man" to Alexandria this Friday night, November 12th. If you follow the Minnesota sports scene, and have attended Twins, Vikings, Gophers, and St. Paul Saints games, it is quite likely you have seen (and heard) Wally the Beer Man. He works more than 250 sporting events each year, and he will mingle with Junior Hockey fans in Alexandria this Friday night. Wally will be happy to distribute his very own baseball-style trading card, and pose for photos, as well. See "Wally the Beer Man" this Friday, as part of Blizzard Hockey, at the Runestone Community Center. If you're named Wally, it's your night, too! Anybody named "Wally" will be admitted free, to Friday night's Blizzard game versus Fargo-Moorhead. Just show a picture ID at the ticket window, to gain admission.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 9, 2004
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
- Jets Set for Big Promotional Weekend - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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.
