Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary
November 15, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
(Alexandria, MN) The Minnesota Blizzard Junior "A" Hockey team enjoyed some on-ice success this past weekend, with wins over Fargo-Moorhead and Billings. In spite of picking up four points in the team standings, the lead in the NAHL Western Division remains tight. Going into the week, an amazing four teams share first place in the standings. The group includes the two opponents the Blizzard played this past weekend.  Friday, 11/12/04: After a clean, low-scoring start to the contest, the third period between the Blizzard and the Fargo-Moorhead Jets proved to be wild, with five goals and more than a dozen penalties being doled out. When the skirmishes settled down, the Blizzard emerged with a 4-3 victory. Dan McCauley (Blaine, MN) got the Blizzard on the scoreboard, at 13:37, getting a nice feed from line mate Josh Frider (Moorhead, MN). The 1-0 Minnesota lead was short-lived, as the Jets scored just 38 seconds later. Fargo-Moorhead took a 2-1 lead early in the third period, but the Blizzard countered with a three-goal outburst, to grab the lead for good. A power-play goal by the team's leading scorer, Ryan Hawkins (Eden Prairie, MN), with an assist from Defenseman Tim Manthey (Anoka, MN), knotted the game at 2-2. With less than nine minutes left, Sean Fish (Ramsey, MN) gave Minnesota the lead, with an assist going to Mark Horbacz (Hinckley, MN). Fish and Jake Nelson (Superior, WI) assisted on the fourth Blizzard goal, which was netted by Dan Swanson (Menomonie, WI) with under six minutes to go. Fargo-Moorhead would close to within 4-3, but that turned out be to the final score. Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, MN) was outstanding between the pipes, once again, for the Blizzard, as he turned away 41 shots.  Saturday, 11/13/04: The Blizzard welcomed the Billings Bulls to Alexandria for the first time this season. A year ago, Billings won the Regular Season Championship in the NAHL West, and the Bulls came into the weekend, with a slim Division lead. Three times in this game, the Blizzard took a one-goal lead. Three times, the Bulls rallied to tie. Dan Swanson's goal just 26 seconds into the contest got the Blizzard faithful charged up right away. Paul Henderson (Menomonie, WI) and Sean Fish got assists, on the Swanson score. However, Minnesota had a breakdown, on the power play later in the period, which led to a breakaway for Billings, and ultimately, a short-handed goal. On the next power play chance, though, the Blizzard came through, with Fish giving Minnesota a 2-1 lead at 19:19 of the middle period. Josh Frider and Ryan Hawkins assisted on the Fish goal. Billings tied the game early in the third period on the power play. Blizzard Forward Jake Nelson snapped a 2-2 tie, with his fourth goal, which came on assists from Tony Selvog (Warroad, MN) and Scott Motz (Maplewood, MN). The one-goal lead did not hold up, though, as the Bulls tied the game with 1:56 left, setting the stage for overtime. The extra session was extra precarious for the Blizzard, as Billings was awarded a power play. The Bulls buzzed around the net, putting seven shots on goal in the overtime. Goalie Marcus Paulson prevented Billings from getting the game-winner. Each team went five rounds in the shoot-out. Billings' Ian Schaser scored in Round 3, but Minnesota's Tony Selvog came right back to tie up the shoot-out. The Blizzard had the last shot in each round (being the home team), and converted on their final opportunity. Shawn Bitzan (Alexandria, MN), who works extremely hard to do a lot of the "little things" to contribute to the success of the Blizzard, without gathering the flashy stats, stepped up to be a hero on this night. Bitzan found the back of the net, to give the Blizzard a 2-1 shoot-out win, which meant that the Blizzard win the game, 4-3. The victory left the Blizzard hockey team with a 12-4-1 record, for 25 points. After Fargo-Moorhead's 7-1 win over Billings on Sunday, the Blizzard share the top spot in the Division with the Bulls, the Jets, and the Helena Bighorns.  Ahead, for the Blizzard: Games this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Friday night, the Blizzard meet the Fargo-Moorhead Jets for the third time this month. Game time is 7:30 at the John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo. KMGK, 107.1 FM will provide radio coverage. Then, the Bozeman Ice Dogs make their only regular-season appearances in Alexandria on Saturday and Sunday. Bozeman is the opponent that is on the Blizzard schedule least often in 2004-05, as the two teams play each other just four times. Saturday's game will begin at 7:00. The Blizzard will team up with Pete's County Market in Alexandria, for some Turkey Bowling, with prize giveaways. Sunday, when the Blizzard host Bozeman for a 5:00 start, will be NASCAR night. Several promotions and events, with a racing theme, are being planned. Tickets are available, for upcoming Minnesota Blizzard home games, by calling (320) 763-1413.  Another "neutral site" game is on the docket: Saturday, November 27th, the Blizzard will play the Fargo-Moorhead Jets at 7:15 PM. Instead of the John Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, the game will be played in Wahpeton, ND, and the Jets will be the home team.  On-line store on the Blizzard web site: If you have not done so recently, visit the on-line shop on the club's web site, www.minnnesotablizzard.com, for a terrific line of Minnesota Blizzard merchandise, including clothing, mugs, office supplies, and more! Start shopping now, to guarantee delivery for the holidays!  Thanks for reading the Blizzard weekly summary! Check back here again, soon.  Have a great week!
North American Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2004
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
- U.S. National Team weekly report - U.S. National Team
- Jets Move into First Place Tie - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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