Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary
November 23, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
(Alexandria, MN) The week that was for the Minnesota Blizzard was a mixture of the good, the bad, and even the ugly. Still, the Blizzard earned three points in the standings, and remained close to the top of the North American Hockey League's Western Division.
Friday, 11/19/04: In one of the more entertaining games of the 2004-05 season (in the eyes of the author), the Blizzard and the Fargo-Moorhead Jets needed extra time, to decide the outcome. The Jets netted the game-winner four minutes into overtime, to earn a 5-4 win over Minnesota. Unlike previous games in Fargo, the Blizzard gained the early advantage, when Captain Karl Larsen (Princeton, MN) sniped a shot from the point, to break the scoreless tie. The team's leading scorer, Ryan Hawkins (Eden Prairie, MN) assisted, on Larsen's goal. The Jets tied the game late in the opening stanza, then scored midway through period two, to go up 2-1. Not to be deterred, Minnesota struck back, tying the game with its second power-play goal of the night. Josh Frider (Moorhead, MN), feeling quite comfortable, playing just minutes away from home, found the back of the net for his sixth goal of the season, which came on assists from Larsen and Hawkins. Just 41 seconds later, in the Jets' zone, Defenseman Nick Peters (Eden Prairie, MN) sent the puck off the right boards toward the net. The biscuit deflected past F-M Goalie Dan DiLeo, to give the lead back to Minnesota. The Jets rallied for the second time, with two goals in the final four minutes of the second period, to lead 4-3. Both teams had quality scoring chances in the final period. Blizzard Goalie Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, MN) stopped all 13 shots that came his way in the period, to hold Fargo-Moorhead at bay. In the final minute of regulation, with Minnesota still trailing, 4-3, Paulson was pulled, to give the Blizzard an extra attacker in the Jets' zone. The move would pay off, as the Blizzard got the equalizer, with 29 seconds to go. Tony Selvog (Warroad, MN) scored the tying goal, with Hawkins and Dan Swanson (Menomonie, WI) assisting. This score caused the Minnesota bench, along with a good number of vociferous Blizzard fans that made the trip to the Red River Valley, to erupt with excitement. But it was the Jets fans that went home happy, with Trevor Bruess netting the game-winning goal in overtime.
Saturday, 11/20/04: The Blizzard got their first look at Western Division foe, Bozeman. Following a pattern to previous games this season at the Runestone Community Center, neither team was able to take control of the game, but Minnesota found a way to come out on top, 2-1 in a shoot-out. This win raised the Blizzard record at the Runestone Center to 6-0 in 2004-05. The two teams exchanged power-play goals in second period, with Dan Swanson's tally wiping out a 1-0 Bozeman lead. The goal by Swanson at 11:31 was assisted by Jake Nelson (Superior, WI) and Andrew Olson (Alexandria, MN). Neither team would score through the remainder of regulation, plus a five-minute overtime. In the five-round shoot-out, the Icedogs' Mike McMillan scored early, but the Blizzard countered, with shoot-out scores by Swanson and Tony Selvog. Marcus Paulson, who stopped 44 Bozeman shots in 65 minutes of game time, prevented any further scoring in the shoot-out. Of the six Blizzard wins at the Runestone Community Center this season, three have come, via the shoot-out.
Sunday, 11/21/04: In what may have been the most disappointing performance by the Blizzard in the 2004-05 season, the home win streak in Alexandria came to a screeching halt. The Bozeman Icedogs pulled away, for a 6-0 win, in a game that featured plenty of verbal sparring between the teams, along with ejections of a Blizzard player and coach in the final period. Bozeman grabbed a 3-0 lead by the time the game was six minutes into the second period. The Icedogs leaned on their goalie, Josh Kassel, who made several terrific saves in the middle period, when the Blizzard looked to mount a rally. Because of an assortment of penalties in the third period, both teams had a number of power-play chances, in the final 20 minutes. Bozeman pounced on the opportunities, while the Blizzard did not. The Icedogs scored their final two goals, while owning a man-advantage. Kassel ended up stopping all 31 shots to cap the shutout. The loss leaves the Blizzard with a record of 13-5-2, heading into the Thanksgiving weekend.
Ahead for the Blizzard: A "home-and-home" with the Fargo-Moorhead Jets, who are currently tied for first place in the NAHL West, with the Helena Bighorns. The Blizzard trails both teams by just one point in the standings. The game on Friday, November 26th will be at Alexandria's Runestone Community Center, with a 7:00 start. Saturday's game will be a "home" game for the Jets, but the contest will be held at Stearn Arena, in Wahpeton, ND. This is a gesture by the Fargo-Moorhead organization, of reaching out, and providing a look at fast-paced Junior Hockey, to those in the southern end of the Red River Valley. The Saturday game starts at 7:15 PM, and will be aired, on the radio, at 107.1 FM, KMGK, Magic 107 in West Central Minnesota.
Great gift ideas are just a few clicks of the mouse away! The official web site of the Minnesota Blizzard has an online store! Look over the selection of Blizzard clothing, toys, and other gift ideas. With the Holiday season upon us, order now, to guarantee delivery by December 25th. If you are at the Blizzard web site, just click the "On-Line Store" link. To get to the team web site, log onto www.minnesotablizzard.com.
Greetings to you and your family, from our family! Everyone with the Minnesota Blizzard organization hopes that this Thanksgiving finds you enjoying the holiday with friends and loved ones. We extend our prayers and good wishes, if you have loved ones serving our country in the military, in places far from home. Our gratitude goes out to all that are serving in our Armed Forces, during the holidays, and always.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 23, 2004
- 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.
