Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary
February 14, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
(Alexandria, MN) Last week, the Minnesota Blizzard continued its quest, to gain a spot in the North American Hockey League playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In compiling a 1-1-1 week, Minnesota picked up three of a possible six points, in holding down the number four spot, in the NAHL Western Division standings.
Thursday evening, February 10th, a strong first period showing proved to be the catalyst, in a 7-3 Minnesota Blizzard victory over Fairbanks. The Blizzard scored the first three goals of the night and never looked back. Forward Dan Swanson (Menomonie, WI) collected three points on the evening, with two goals and an assist. Both of his goals came in the first period....one was a power-play goal. The other score in the opening stanza came off the stick of Sean Fish (Ramsey, MN). He netted his 12th goal of the season, on assists from Sam Windsor (Plymouth, MN) and Scott Motz (Maplewood, MN). Josh Frider (Moorhead, MN) assisted on both of "Swanie's" first period goals, and additional assists went to Tim Manthey (Anoka, MN) and Andrew Olson (Alexandria, MN). Holding a 3-1 lead entering the second period, Minnesota went back to work. The team's leading scorer, Ryan Hawkins (Eden Prairie, MN) lit the goal lamp just 31 seconds into the second period, on an assist from Defenseman Mark Horbacz (Hinckley, MN). Later in the period, another Defenseman, Bobby Kuehl (St. Paul, MN) scored his second of the season, to put Minnesota up, 5-2. For insurance, the Blizzard closed out the scoring, with Olson's 6th goal of the year, plus a blast from yet another Defenseman, Chris Johnson (Brooklyn Park, MN). He scored his first goal in a Blizzard uniform on the power play, with assists from Swanson and Aaron Castle (Roseau, MN). The seven goal outburst matched the team high in one game this season, after Minnesota had gone a dozen games without scoring more than four goals in one contest. Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, MN) notched his 20th win between the pipes this year for the Blizzard, turning away 47 Fairbanks shots.
The following night, the Blizzard returned to Western Division play, hosting a strong Billings squad at the Runestone Community Center. Minnesota dug a two-goal hole, as the Bulls tallied twice on the power play. But the Blizzard staged a gritty third period comeback, forcing overtime, before Billings prevailed in a shoot-out, 3-2. Ryan Hawkins scored his 20th goal of the year at 6:31 of the final canto, with assists to Tony Selvog (Warroad, MN) and Jake Nelson (Superior, WI). The score would remain 2-1 in the Bulls' favor, until the dying seconds of regulation. Having pulled Marcus Paulson for a sixth attacker, the Blizzard applied furious pressure in the Billings end, before getting the tying goal, with only 11 seconds remaining in regulation. Sam Windsor finished off the scoring chance, with Tim Manthey and Sean Fish earning the assists. Neither team would score in the five-minute overtime. In the shoot-out, six rounds were necessary, to determine the winner. Selvog and Josh Frider scored for Minnesota in the shoot-out, but Billings converted on three of its six chances, to earn the second point, which goes to the winner of the game. The Blizzard notched one point, for their efforts, coming back in the third period, and forcing overtime.
Saturday evening, the Blizzard unleashed a 46-shot assault on the Billings Bulls. However, Bulls' Goalie Jon Anderson earned his stripes, stopping 45 Minnesota shots, en route to a 4-1 Billings win. The Bulls gave Anderson an early cushion, with two goals in the first seven minutes. Four of the game's five goals were posted in the opening period, with an empty-netter closing the scoring late in the third period. Minnesota's lone goal came from Josh Frider, who netted his 12th of the year. Clay Nestor (Glenwood, MN) performed well in the nets, turning aside 34 Billings shots, but he was out-dueled by Anderson on this night.
Ahead, for the Blizzard: A key game will be featured this coming Saturday night, February 19th in Bismarck, as the Bobcats host the Blizzard, in a 7:00 start at the VFW Sports Center. Entering the week, Bismarck trails Minnesota by eight points, in the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot. It will be a pivotal week for the Bobcats, who have mid-week match-ups with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, before meeting the Blizzard. Saturday's game will be broadcast on KMGK, 107.1 FM, in West Central Minnesota. The Blizzard will not have a whole lot of rest after Saturday's game. The very next day (Sunday, February 20th), the Blizzard will host Fairbanks, in a 5:00 game at the Runestone Center in Alexandria.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2005
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
- Jets Hold Best Record in NAHL, On Franchise Record Win Streak - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Valentine's Day Treat - Bismarck Bobcats
- Barons complete weekend sweep - Cleveland Barons
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