Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary
December 6, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
(Alexandria, MN) The Minnesota Blizzard Junior "A" Hockey team returned from a six-day journey into Montana with two wins in four games, to remain in third place, in the North American Hockey League's Western Division. Heading into the coming week, the Blizzard trails both Helena and Fargo-Moorhead by just three points, in the ultra-competitive Western Division.
Wednesday, 12/1/04: The road trip to Montana began in a positive way for the Blizzard, which rallied for a 6-5 shoot-out win over the Billings Bulls. Each team scored power-play goals in the opening canto, with Ryan Hawkins (Eden Prairie, MN) netting his 10th of the season, on assists from Karl Larsen (Princeton, MN) and Sean Fish (Ramsey, MN). The Bulls erupted for three goals in the second period, to carry a 4-1 lead into the final 20 minutes of regulation. But the third period featured two quick Blizzard goals, while Billings was trying to kill off a five-minute major penalty. Forward Dan Swanson (Menomonie, WI) netted the second Blizzard goal of the night at 1:41, on assists from Hawkins and Tony Selvog (Warroad, MN). Just 48 seconds later, Minnesota narrowed Billings' lead to 4-3, as Jake Nelson (Superior, WI) bagged his fifth goal, with Larsen recording another assist. Then, right after the Blizzard killed off a Billings power play, Paul Henderson (Menomonie, WI) exited the penalty box, got a puck in the neutral zone, and had a breakaway. Henderson's goal, which was assisted by Tim Manthey (Anoka, MN), tied the game at four, and sent Billings Goalie Jon Anderson to the showers. At the 9:40 mark of the third, Defenseman Bobby Kuehl (St. Paul, MN) scored his first goal in a Blizzard uniform, to give Minnesota its first lead of the night. The Bulls would tie the contest less than a minute later, and the game would go to overtime. With no scoring in the five-minute extra session, a shoot-out would determine which of the two teams would emerge with two points on the night. Hawkins would be the only one, of five Blizzard shooters, to score. However, that was enough. Minnesota net-minder Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, MN) kicked aside 35 shots in regulation, plus he held Billings scoreless, in the shoot-out.
Friday, 12/3/04: A rough-and-tumble game, which featured eight roughing penalties, plus a charging call, three checking from behind infractions, and one fight, ultimately morphed into a 4-1 Bozeman victory over the Blizzard. Several altercations took place at, or in front of, the Minnesota net, leading some to speculate that Goalie Paulson may have been a "Marked" man that night (no pun intended). The Icedogs got a first period boost, by scoring shorthanded. Tim Manthey's power-play goal 17 seconds into the second period (assisted by Andrew Olson (Alexandria, MN) and Tony Selvog) created a 1-1 deadlock. But Paulson surrendered three goals later in the period. This game would feature no dazzling third period comeback by the Blizzard, similar to Wednesday night. The Icedogs maintained their perfect record versus Minnesota at Bozeman's Valley Ice Garden, going 4-0 against the Blizzard, dating back to last season.
Saturday, 12/4/04: In a highly anticipated match-up, the Blizzard met the red-hot Helena Bighorns, who carried a record of 12-0-1 in their previous 13 games. This represented the longest unbeaten string of games, in the history of Big Blue (no, not that one, with the three-letter acronym. "Big Blue" is one of the nicknames, for the Bighorn Hockey team). Their long string would continue, as Helena skated to a 4-2 win. Twice, the Blizzard rallied from a one-goal deficit to tie the score. Dan Swanson tallied both goals. His first score was assisted by Ryan Hawkins. The second goal came on assists from Hawkins and Tim Manthey. The Bighorns' Cody Carson also scored twice. His power-play goal nearly six minutes into the third period gave Helena the lead for good. The Bighorns were given numerous power-play chances (a total of 10 for the game), including six in the third period alone. This short-circuited any opportunity for the Blizzard to come back from a two-goal deficit in the final seven minutes.
Sunday, 12/5/04: In hockey's version of a "getaway game", which means a start time earlier in the day, the Blizzard got away from Billings with their second win on the road trip. Marcus Paulson played extremely well in the net, again, for Minnesota, stopping 38 of 39 Billings shots. The Blizzard and the Bulls engaged in a low-scoring affair, with Blizzard Forward Scott Motz (Maplewood, MN) popping in the game-winner, with just 2:37 to play. That goal gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead, which would be the final score. Brian Baker (Brooklyn Park, MN) and Karl Larsen assisted on the Motz goal. Earlier, Dan Swanson scored on the power play, with Ryan Hawkins and Sean Fish assisting. For the second time on this trip, a Blizzard win halted a two-game losing skid. Coincidentally, the Blizzard has three two-game losing streaks so far this season. However, no losing skid has lasted longer than two games....a tribute to some consistency, on the part of the Blizzard players and coaches.
Ahead, for the Blizzard: Saturday night, December 11th, the Blizzard will be back on home ice, hosting Fargo-Moorhead at the Runestone Community Center. The F-M Jets just completed a three-game series in Fairbanks, having won two of those contests. Game time is set for 7:00.
The Blizzard on-line store is up and running: Order now, to guarantee delivery for the holidays! You'll find an assortment of Minnesota Blizzard items, including tees, sweats, toys, office products, even great things for the ladies. Log onto the club's web site, www.minnesotablizzard.com, then click on the "On-line store" link.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2004
- Alaska Trip Ends with Two Wins; Plenty of Memories - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
- U.S. National Team weekly report - U.S. National Team
- Minnesota Blizzard on the Road - Alexandria Blizzard
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