Moreland, Connolly Achieve Milestones
Published on January 9, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) Building a house takes an entire team of skilled workers moving in both literal and figurative harmony, exerting their own specific strengths. The success, or failure, of the job rest squarely on the "team", but it's still individual efforts that ultimately lead to the finished product, and every once in a while specific workers have earned that extra pat on the back from the foreman.
In a season that has seen the Fargo-Moorhead Jets go 23-9-2, 50pts just over the midway point, there is no argument that their isn't just one, two or only a handful of players who bring their hard hat and lunch box to the work zone each day. As a team, the FM Jets have opened up an eight point lead over second place Southern Minnesota in the North American Hockey League's Central Division.
While the FM Jets have earned first place distinction, and numerous players have contributed, two of its workers efforted individual milestones this past weekend worth noting. Matt Moreland (Grand Forks, ND) scored four goals, upping his three-year career total to 57, and moving past former FM Jet Chris Myhro into second place on the team's all-time goal scoring list.
He scored two goals in each of the FM Jets' wins this past weekend on January 6th and 7th.
Moreland only trails Phil Fox (67 goals) on the franchise's all-time career goal scoring list. He only needs to average one goal every three games the remainder of the regular season to tie the record. Keep in mind, playoff scoring counts as well.
In addition, Chris Connolly (Duluth, MN) had five points (three goals) this past weekend giving him 101 points for his two-year career, and becoming only the sixth FM Jets' player to pass the 100-point career scoring benchmark (Fox, Moreland, Myhro, Dickhudt, Prewitt). Connolly also has 73 assists for his career, good for second all-time by a FM Jets player, and brings him to within reach of the franchise record which is 77 also held by Phil Fox.
Moreland and Connolly's individual success came during a weekend that saw the FM Jets possibly make their most important statement of the year. The FM Jets went 2-0-1 in a three-game series against the Southern Minnesota Express, taking five of a possible six points from the second place team and extending their lead in the division to eight points. After Southern Minnesota won 3-2 in overtime on Friday at the Carlson Coliseum, the FM Jets bounced back to outscore the Express 13-3 over the next two games.
Goaltender Austin Lee (Bloomington, MN) won the games on Saturday and Sunday making 45 of 48 saves, with many of very high quality especially during Sunday's game. Elliot Okland (Fargo, ND) was the proverbial hard luck loser on Friday making 34 saves and looking very impressive.
Rob Johnson (Duluth, MN) had three assists in the win on Sunday, while newbie Josh Brodeen (Warroad, MN) had three assists on Saturday. Brodeen was in his first weekend with the FM Jets after starting the hockey season at Division III Bethel University.
Former Moorhead High standout Matt Becker returned to the ice for the first time this season on Saturday night and earned an assist in the victory. Becker played last season with the NAHL's Billing Bulls, but an off-ice accident sidelined him until late Fall.
The FM Jets defense held Southern Minnesota to an average of only 28 shots on goal per game in the three-game series.
The Fargo-Moorhead Jets are on a six-game unbeaten streak (5-0-1) which is their second longest streak of the season as the team won eight consecutive games in October.
Reaching 50
The FM Jets have reached 50 pts in 35 games, which is the quickest in franchise history. In 2004-2005, the FM Jets reached 50 pts in 36 games.
Streaking
Chris Connolly (Duluth, MN) and Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) are each on seven-game point streaks. During the last seven games, Connolly has 14 points (6 goals) and Echternach 9 points (3 goals).
Coming to Your City
Road travel has been quite successful for the FM Jets who are 12-3-1 away from the Coliseum, including a six consecutive away game wins.
Extra Session
The FM Jets' 3-2 overtime loss on Jan. 5, marks only their third game that has gone passed regulation this season. The FM Jets defeated Bismarck in overtime on Oct. 13 and lost in a shootout to Alexandria on Nov. 18.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2007
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Hosts NAHL's Traverse City - U.S. National Team
- Springfield hits high note - NAHL
- Moreland, Connolly Achieve Milestones - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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