Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary
January 31, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
(Alexandria, MN) The Minnesota Blizzard Junior "A" Hockey team hosted the Bismarck Bobcats, for a pair of games this past weekend. The teams split the contests, which leaves the Blizzard holding in fourth place, in the competitive NAHL West.
On Friday, January 29th, the Blizzard edged the Bobcats, 3-2 in a physical contest. Several altercations broke out among the players from both teams, which resulted in more than 100 minutes in penalties being handed out. Minnesota scored in each period, to secure the victory. A power-play goal by Sam Windsor (Plymouth, MN) got the Blizzard started in the opening period. His goal was assisted by Sean Fish (Ramsey, MN). Windsor and Fish would factor in all three scores on the night. Twice, the Bobcats rallied to tie. But the Blizzard held the Bobcats at bay, without falling behind. Fish netted a power-play score of his own in period two, on assists from Windsor and Aaron Castle (Roseau, MN). The only scoring of the final period came early, as Fish lit the lamp for the second time during the evening, with assists to Windsor and Scott Motz (Maplewood, MN). Blizzard goalie Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, MN) withstood the Bobcats pressure in the final 20 minutes, making 15 of his 25 saves in the third period. The victory snapped Minnesota's season-long four game losing skid. The result also gave the Blizzard a sparkling 15-1-2 record, in games decided by one goal.
The following night, Bismarck turned the tables, and dealt the Blizzard a 4-1 loss. Special teams figured prominently in the outcome of the game. The Bobcats' special teams lived up to the billing....Minnesota's did not. Late in the second period, on a Minnesota power play, the Blizzard lost control of the puck in the Bismarck end. The Bobcats' Scott Paul took the turnover, raced to the other end, and sniped a shot past Marcus Paulson, to put Bismarck on top. It was the 10th short-handed goal that the Blizzard has given up this season. The Bobcats would later score a power-play goal in the final period, then sealed the outcome with an empty- netter, with a minute to play. Offensively, Minnesota peppered young Bismarck goalie Casey Moreland (making his first Bobcats start) with 38 shots, but could only dent the scoreboard, with a Sam Windsor goal late in the middle period. Assists on the score went to Defenseman Bobby Kuehl (St. Paul, MN) and Chris Johnson (Brooklyn Park, MN). Minnesota had an apparent third period goal, which would have tied the game, wiped out, because the shot was deflected in by a high stick. With 16 regular season games to go, the Blizzard record stands at 22-16-2.
Ahead for the Blizzard: A road trip, to start February. Minnesota's itinerary will include stops in Billings Wednesday night, and in Helena, for games with the Bighorns Friday and Saturday night. All three games on the Montana road trip will start at 8:05 PM, Central time, and will be broadcast on KMGK-FM Radio, at 107.1 on the dial, in West-Central Minnesota. Saturday's radio broadcast will actually air in two different states, as the radio squawker for the Blizzard, "D-Mac", will also do the call on 1340 AM, KCAP in Central Montana, filling in for the Voice of the 'Horns, Arch Ecker.
Have a "Super" week! Don't forget to stay tuned for the commercials, during the telecast of the big game in Jacksonville on Sunday! This author casts a vote for the Patriots, to repeat as Super Bowl Champs! Expect a close, exciting game, though! It usually is, when New England is involved. Check back next week, for a summary of the trio of Blizzard contests in Big Sky Country. Go Blizzard!
North American Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2005
- Jets Ride Five Game Win Streak into All-Star Break - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Barons drop a pair on weekend - Cleveland Barons
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
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