Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary
January 10, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
(Alexandria, MN) The Minnesota Blizzard started the 2005 portion of its regular season schedule on a winning note Friday evening, January 7th. Minnesota's 4-2 win over the Bismarck Bobcats was historic in nature, as it was the 21st victory of the regular season. During the team's inaugural season (2003-04), the Blizzard recorded 20 victories, over the course of 56 games. Win number 21 came in the team's 34th game of the 2004-05 campaign.
Team Captain Josh Frider (Moorhead, MN) opened the scoring at 11:47 of the opening period, with his 10th goal in a Blizzard uniform, which came on an assist from Andrew Olson (Alexandria, MN). In the middle period, the Blizzard snapped a 1-1 tie, with an even-strength goal by Dan Swanson (Menomonie, WI) at 10:45, plus a power-play goal by Karl Larsen (Princeton, MN) at 19:18. Sean Fish (Ramsey, MN) notched an assist on the Larsen score, while the leading point-getter for the Blizzard, Ryan Hawkins (Eden Prairie, MN), assisted on both of the second period goals. Bismarck cut the Minnesota lead to one, scoring with an extra attacker at 16:27 of the third period. But late in the game, the Blizzard kept the puck in the Bismarck end long enough to prevent the Bobcats from pulling their net-minder for a second time. Forward Sam Windsor (Plymouth, MN) capped the scoring at, ironically, 19:18, with assists from Olson, as well as Tony Selvog (Warroad, MN). The Blizzard played a more effective defensive-style hockey game, holding the Bobcats to 29 shots on goal. Minnesota's last line of defense, Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, MN), stopped 27 Bismarck shots, to earn his 18th win in goal this season.
The Blizzard stayed in second place, in the ultra-competitive Western Division, of the North American Hockey League. Minnesota trails division-leading Fargo-Moorhead by three points, after the Jets completed a 1-2 trip through Montana over the weekend.
Ahead for the Blizzard: Saturday night, January 15th, the Blizzard will head west, to North Dakota's Capital City, to meet the Bismarck Bobcats. Game time at the VFW Sports Center in Bismarck is set for 7:00, and will be broadcast on KMGK Radio, at 107.1 on the FM dial in West-Central Minnesota. The Blizzard will try to continue their winning ways at Bismarck, having won their first four games on the Bobcats' home ice this season. Then, the Blizzard will host Fargo-Moorhead Friday, January 21st, in a 7:00 PM game at the Runestone Community Center in Alexandria.
Kudos, to a pair of Blizzard players: Last week, Blizzard Forward Josh Frider was offered, and he subsequently accepted, a scholarship offer, to attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. He will play in the Falcons' Hockey program, on the NCAA Division I Collegiate level, in 2005-06. Meanwhile, the roster has been announced for the North American Hockey League's All-Star team, which will challenge the defending League Champions, the Texas Tornado, next month. Ryan Hawkins will be the Minnesota Blizzard representative, at this showcase event in Frisco, Texas. He leads the Blizzard in scoring, with 45 points through January 8th, which ranks third in the NAHL. Each North American Hockey League squad, except for Texas, has at least one representative, on the NAHL All-Star Squad. The match-up, between the Texas Tornado and the NAHL All-Stars, will take place Tuesday, February 8th at the Deja Blue Arena of the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Frisco. This is the marquee event of the two-day All-Star Festival, which commences Monday, February 7th. Congratulations, Josh and Ryan, on your special honors!
North American Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2005
- Jets Lose Two of Three in Montana - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- 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.
