Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary
Published on December 28, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
(Alexandria, MN) After Christmas, the Minnesota Blizzard Junior "A" Hockey team hosted the Helena Bighorns, in the first two games of a three-game set at the Runestone Community Center. The pairings featured the two teams that led the NAHL Western Division, in point totals. The Blizzard began the final week of 2004 with a couple of solid victories over the Bighorns.
On Sunday evening, December 26th, the Blizzard grabbed first place in the Division from the Bighorns, by virtue of a 3-2 triumph. As has been the case much of the season, Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, MN) was outstanding between the pipes for the Blizzard, stopping 30 of 32 Helena shots. Paulson got some offensive support midway through the opening period. Tony Selvog (Warroad, MN) picked up his fourth goal of the season, on assists from line mates Andrew Olson (Alexandria, MN) and Josh Frider (Moorhead, MN). About seven minutes into the middle stanza, the Blizzard struck again, to take a 2-0 advantage. This time, Sean Fish (Ramsey, MN) sounded the horn, for his eighth goal of the year, which came on assists from Shawn Bitzan (Alexandria, MN) and Mark Horbacz (Hinckley, MN). Helena's Ryan Sullivan scored at the midpoint of the hockey game, to make the score 2-1 Minnesota, entering the final period. The Blizzard got a needed insurance goal from Frider nearly halfway through the third, on assists from Horbacz and Bitzan. The Bighorns pulled their goalie with just over three minutes to go, and the strategy worked. With the extra attacker in the Blizzard end, Helena's Nate Rein scored at 17:50, to narrow Minnesota's lead to just one goal. The Blizzard withstood additional pressure by the Bighorns in the closing seconds, to secure the 3-2 win.
Monday night, the Blizzard hosted Helena again, with the Bighorns intent on taking the Western Division lead back from the Blizzard. Minnesota had other plans, though, and remained alone on top of the division, pulling away in the third period, for a 7-3 win. Helena took a 2-1 lead after one period. Sean Fish scored on the power play, with an assist from the team's leading point man, Ryan Hawkins (Eden Prairie, MN). Minnesota lit the lamp three times in the middle period. Andrew Olson created a 2-2 deadlock at 2:30 of the period with his fifth goal of the year, which came on an assist from Tony Selvog. Then, Blizzard Forward Scott Motz (Maplewood, MN) put Minnesota on top for the first time in the game, with an even-strength goal at 7:36. Brian Baker (Brooklyn Park, MN) and Paul Henderson (Menomonie, WI) earned assists. After the Bighorns' Travis Whitehead tied the score midway through the second period, the Blizzard cranked up the offense, to the tune of four unanswered goals. Tim Manthey (Anoka, MN) connected for his fifth goal of the year at 16:25, which was assisted by Josh Frider. The final three Minnesota goals came in the first 3:33 of the third period, to close out the scoring in the game. Shawn Bitzan (Alexandria, MN) collected his eighth goal at 1:25, with an assist given to Aaron Castle (Roseau, MN). Motz then tallied his second goal of the evening just 61 seconds later, with Baker getting another assist. This sent Helena goalie Chad Beiswenger to the showers, in favor of Dan Vasquez. Sam Windsor greeted Vasquez, with an unassisted goal at the 3:33 mark of period three. For the second straight night, the Blizzard out-shot Helena....this time, the margin was 40-32. This win was notable for Minnesota, as it was victory number 20, of the 2004-05 season. The Blizzard becomes the first team in the NAHL West, to reach the 20-victory mark this year. It took the Blizzard 23 fewer games to reach 20 wins this year. In Minnesota's inaugural season, 2003-04, the 20th win of the year for the Blizzard did not come until Game 55.
The Blizzard is stationed at home, over the holiday break: Thursday evening, December 30th, the Blizzard will host Helena, in a 7:00 game at the Runestone Center in Alexandria. The game will mark the Bighorns' final appearance in Minnesota, during the 2004-05 regular season. The two teams will play each other three more times before the regular season is complete, but those contests will be played at the Helena Ice Arena, in Montana's Capital City.
Make it a safe, and happy, start to 2005! Enjoy the revelry of a New Year's celebration, but please make it safe. Don't get behind the wheel, if you have consumed too much alcohol, on New Year's Eve night. Call for a taxi, or get in touch with a friend or family member, who can serve as a designated driver. Friends don't let friends drive drunk, or otherwise impaired! The Minnesota Blizzard organization looks forward to seeing you at an upcoming home game in Alexandria, during the remainder of the regular season. After the new year gets rolling, the Blizzard will host the Bismarck Bobcats on Friday, January 7th, in a 7:00 PM start at the Runestone Community Center. Get caught up in the storm! Check out Minnesota Blizzard Junior "A" Hockey....the fastest game around!
North American Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2004
- Ringing in the New Year - Bismarck Bobcats
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
- Minnesota Blizzard Win over Helena - Alexandria Blizzard
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