One postseason berth still up for grabs

Published on March 16, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, all but two postseason fates have been decided.

That's in the North Division, where the Alpena IceDiggers and Marquette Rangers are vying for the NAHL's final Robertson Cup Playoffs bid.

With a three-point lead and two games in hand over Marquette, the IceDiggers are sitting in an enviable position, but aren't making any April plans just yet.

"We're breaking it down to playing our game one shift at a time and staying focused on doing things right," said IceDiggers head coach Jack Fritsche, whose team helped its cause last weekend with a two-game sweep over the Motor City Machine.

Alpena is staring at a daunting schedule to close the season, with three games against the U.S. National Team, two with division-leading Mahoning Valley and one against second-place Traverse City.

"We have some big games ahead," Fritsche added. "We just need to stay motivated, stay healthy, give a 110 percent and let the chips fall where they may."

With the deck stacked against the Rangers, who finish with four home games - two against Motor City followed by a pair with Traverse City - Marquette's focus is solely on what it can control.

"We understand that in order to get in, we need to win out and get some help, but, with that said, we haven't stopped playing," said Rangers head coach Kenny Miller.

"The guys have been competing in practice and every person in that dressing room thinks we still have a shot at getting in, even though we're not where we want to be in the standings. Our guys haven't quit; they're very optimistic."

Also still up for grabs is the NAHL's regular-season championship, in which South Division powerhouses Topeka and St. Louis have been battling back and forth all season.

With 85 points, the RoadRunners hold a one-point edge over the two-time defending Robertson Cup champion Bandits with four games to play, including two the final weekend of the season in St. Louis. Both teams have secured home ice in the first round of the playoffs.

"The regular-season championship is something we've been working towards since training camp, and we're on track," said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer. "St. Louis has been right on our heels, which has forced us to stay sharp."

A league championship brings with it home ice throughout the playoffs. With Topeka playing in front of an average crowd of 1,690 a night at the Kansas Expocentre, that incentive isn't lost on the RoadRunners.

"Obviously, the home ice is important for any team, and with the support we get at home, it maybe even more so here," Langer added.

The Bandits, who won last year's regular-season championship, host Mahoning Valley for two games this weekend before welcoming Topeka to town to close out the regular season.

"There's a good chance that it'll go down to the last weekend between us and Topeka," said Bandits head coach Jeff Brown. "This is something that we expected all season long considering how close our two hockey clubs have been all season."

A division winner has yet to be determined in the Central, either, where the Bismarck Bobcats hold a commanding six-point lead over the second-place North Iowa Outlaws.

The Bobcats have six games remaining matched against the Outlaws' four, and both teams have locked down home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The only postseason race signed and sealed is in the West, where the Fairbanks Ice Dogs wrapped up the division's regular-season title last weekend with two wins over the Alaska Avalanche.

Fairbanks will host the Kenai River Brown Bears in the first round of the playoffs, with the second-place Wenatchee Wild matching up against the Avs.

"It's a big boost of confidence to know we'll be playing at home, because we've had a lot of success there this year," said Ice Dogs head coach Josh Hauge, whose team is 19-2-4 at the Big Dipper.

It doesn't hurt that the community support in Fairbanks continues to be one of the league's best. The Ice Dogs are averaging 1,984 in attendance a game, second only to Wenatchee in the entire NAHL.

"It's an unbelievable arena and our fans are so loyal and dedicated that they deserve the opportunity to watch us," Hauge added.

"As much as winning the regular season is nice, our ultimate goal is to advance to the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament (April 28-May 3 in Mason City, Iowa). Hopefully, having home ice will help us get there."

STANDINGS/LEADERS
Central Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
xBismarck 52 37-13-2 76 .731 176 110
xNorth Iowa 54 33-17-4 70 .648 207 162
xOwatonna 54 28-23-3 59 .546 206 179
xAlexandria 53 23-25-5 51 .481 165 186
Albert Lea 53 4-45-4 12 .113 101 273

North Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
xMahoning Valley 53 34-14-5 73 .689 208 157
xTraverse City 53 30-17-6 66 .623 163 159
xUSNTDP 48 30-14-4 64 .667 185 123
Alpena 52 26-21-5 57 .548 141 160
Marquette 54 23-23-8 54 .500 151 157
Motor City 52 11-39-2 24 .231 115 217

South Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
xTopeka 54 40-9-5 85 .787 195 126
xSt. Louis 54 39-9-6 84 .778 199 112
xWichita Falls 54 23-22-9 55 .509 152 186
xSpringfield 54 22-27-5 49 .454 168 175

West Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
yFairbanks 54 34-12-8 76 .704 206 142
xWenatchee 54 32-19-3 67 .620 178 175
xAlaska 52 22-27-3 47 .452 162 200
xKenai River 56 14-34-8 36 .321 160 239

x clinched playoff berth
y clinched division title

LEADING SCORERS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G A PTS
Block, Austin FBX F 54 28 40 68
George, Jordan TPK F 54 27 37 64
Paul, Jack NIO F 52 23 39 62
Gaffney, Jon SPR F 52 27 32 59
Hamburg, Andrew STL F 47 12 47 59
Brodhag, Brandon NIO F 52 29 28 57
Carlson, Alex NIO F 48 23 32 55
(three players tied with 54)

LEADING GOALTENDERS
PLAYER TEAM GPI MINS W-L-OTL GAA SPCT
Kinkaid, Keith STL 38 2272:52 28-5-4 1.82 .933
Bosner, David BIS 30 1780:48 21-7-1 1.82 .933
Merriam, Bryce TPK 30 1680:08 21-3-4 1.96 .917
Phillippi, Joseph FBX 23 1104:22 12-2-3 2.01 .939
Grogan, Matt BIS 24 1364:27 16-6-1 2.24 .924

GOALS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G Frey, Trent SPR F 54 33
ASSISTS
PLAYER TEAM POS GP A
Hamburg, Andrew STL F 47 47
Block, Austin FBX F 54 40

PLUS/MINUS
PLAYER TEAM POS GP +/-
Clark, John BIS D 50 +37
Reinthaler, Kris STL D 50 +31

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Sherwood/NAHL North Player of the Week: Kyle Bonis - Traverse City North Stars
Traverse City forward Kyle Bonis put home five goals as the North Stars skated to a 2-1 record against Mahoning Valley to secure their first-ever postseason berth. After tallying in a 9-2 loss on Friday, the Lindsay, Ontario, native struck for two goals, including the game-winner, as the North Stars downed the Phantoms, 4-1. The next night, the 20-year-old connected for two more goals, including another game-winner, in a 3-2 triumph.

"Kyle's had a ton of chances lately, and it was good to see him break through in such a huge way," said North Stars head coach Anthony Palumbo. "He's our captain, a leader, and gives us a spark at both ends of the ice."

Sherwood/NAHL South Player of the Week: Alec Hagaman - Topeka RoadRunners
Topeka forward Alec Hagaman potted a goal and three assists as the RoadRunners split a two-game set with Springfield. After being held scoreless on a 4-1 loss on Friday, the 19-year-old from Peoria, Ill., tallied the game-winning goal and three assists the next night as the RoadRunners downed the Jr. Blues, 6-1.

"Alec is a go-to guy when we need him and he proved that last weekend," said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer. "We're expecting him to have a lot of success throughout the playoffs and next season as well, wherever his career may lead him."

Sherwood/NAHL Central Player of the Week: John Wickman - Bismarck Bobcats
Bismarck forward John Wickman connected for three goals and three assists as the Bobcats skated to a two-game sweep over Albert Lea. After being held scoreless in a 3-0 victory on Friday, the 19-year-old from Garland, Texas, recorded a hat trick and three assists, including one on Kevin Harris' game-winning goal, as Bismarck bested the Thunder, 10-2. He was also a plus-6 on the weekend.

"John has really amped up his performances over the last couple of weekends," said Bobcats head coach Byron Pool. "He knows what it takes to be a national champion, and he's the type of player you would expect to elevate his game to the next level at this time of the season."

HONORABLE MENTION: Owatonna forward Chris Darnell

Sherwood/NAHL West Player of the Week: Michael Voran - Wenatchee Wild
Wenatchee forward Michael Voran struck for four goals and four assists as the Wild skated to a 4-1 record. On Tuesday, the Livonia, Mich., native recorded two goals in a 3-2 shootout win over Alaska. After being held scoreless in a 3-2 loss to the Avalanche on Wednesday and sitting out Friday's 6-1 victory over Kenai River, the 18-year-old recorded an assist the next night in the Wild's 3-2 shootout win over the Brown Bears. Voran wrapped up his week with a two-goal, three-assist performance as Wenatchee downed Kenai on Sunday, 11-4. He was also a plus-3 on the week.

"As our captain, Mike continues to be a strong leader who exhibits excellent character in every facet of his game," said Wild head coach Paul Baxter. "That, along with his high skill level, will make him a valuable asset to any top Division I program."

HONORABLE MENTION: Fairbanks forward Michael Juola

GDI/NAHL Goalie of the Week: CJ Motte - Traverse City North Stars
Traverse City goaltender CJ Motte backstopped his team to two wins in his two starts over Mahoning Valley, turning aside 69 of 72 shots as the North Stars secured their first-ever postseason berth. On Friday, the St. Clair, Mich., native made 29 saves in a 4-1 victory. The next night, the 17-year-old stopped 40 shots as Traverse City edged the Phantoms, 3-2.

"C.J. has been absolutely sensational for us," said North Stars head coach Anthony Palumbo. "When we needed big saves, he was right there all weekend. In my opinion, C.J. is becoming one of the premiere goalies in the league right before our eyes."

HONORABLE MENTION: Wenatchee's Mac Carruth

AROUND THE NAHL
ALASKA AVALANCHE: Dylan Jones and Jake Parenteau scored for the Avalanche as it dropped a pair of games to Fairbanks.

ALBERT LEA THUNDER: BJ McLellan and Nikita Feoktistov connected for goals in the Thunder's 10-2 loss to Bismarck on Saturday.

ALEXANDRIA BLIZZARD: Taylor Vichorek struck for two goals, including the game-winner, as Alexandria snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over Marquette on Saturday.

ALPENA ICEDIGGERS: Richard Manley rang up a goal and three assists, as well as the only goal in Saturday's 2-1 shootout win, as the IceDiggers skated to a two-game sweep over Motor City.

BISMARCK BOBCATS: Goaltender David Bosner, an Air Force recruit, picked up his sixth shutout of the season in a 3-0 victory over Albert Lea on Friday (15 saves).

FAIRBANKS ICE DOGS: Mike Juola recorded two goals and three assists as the Ice Dogs skated to a two-game sweep over Alaska. "Mike's been great for us and his vision and hand skills are some of the best in the entire NAHL," said head coach Josh Hauge. "He'll be a big part of our run in the playoffs."

KENAI RIVER BROWN BEARS: Californian Chris Annunziato rang up two goals and an assist as the Brown Bears lost three games to Wenatchee.

MAHONING VALLEY PHANTOMS: Robert Morris recruit Stefan Salituro was the Phantoms' high scorer in their 9-2 victory over Traverse City on Friday, connecting for a goal and three assists.

MARQUETTE RANGERS: Collin Saint-Onge put home a goal and two assists, including one on Kevin Gravel's game-winner, in the Rangers' 5-2 triumph over Alexandria on Friday.

MOTOR CITY MACHINE: Ryan Misiak and Cody Holzworth collected goals for the Machine as it finished with a 0-1-1 mark against Alpena last weekend.

NORTH IOWA OUTLAWS: Brandon Brodhag racked up his 28th and 29th goals of the season in the Outlaws' 4-2 triumph over Owatonna on Friday. OWATONNA EXPRESS: Virginia native Chris Darnell tallied two goals and three assists as the Express fashioned a 2-1 mark against North Iowa.

SPRINGFIELD JR. BLUES: Brandon Bahnemann collected three assists, including one on Jon Gaffney's game-winning goal, in the Jr. Blues' 4-1 triumph over Topeka on Friday.
ST. LOUIS BANDITS: Goaltender Erick Cinotti, from New Jersey, picked up his second shutout of the season in the Bandits' 4-0 victory over Wichita Falls on Saturday (10 saves).

TOPEKA ROADRUNNERS: Head coach Scott Langer likes his team's chances as the league-leading RoadRunners close in on the regular-season championship. "Good teams get to this position, great teams win," he said. "We control our own destiny, and you can't ask for more than that."

TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS: With a 2-1 record at Mahoning Valley last weekend, the North Stars clinched a playoff berth for the first time in the team's four-year history.

TEAM USA: Idle last weekend, the U.S. National Team still has 10 games remaining on its NAHL schedule starting Tuesday against Mahoning Valley (U18) and Motor City (U17).

WENATCHEE WILD: Goaltender Mac Carruth, a University of Minnesota Duluth recruit, won all three of his starts last week against Alaska and Kenai River, turning aside 73 of 80 shots. "Mac continues to excel and improve," said Wild head coach Paul Baxter. "As a 1992-born, he's playing a major role in our success and has certainly proven that UMD made an excellent choice in their commitment to him."

WICHITA FALLS WILDCATS: Sean McKenzie and Matt Kenline tallied for the Wildcats as they went 0-1-1 against St. Louis last weekend.

THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday, March 17
USNTDP @ Mahoning Valley, 6:00 pm
Motor City @ USNTDP, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, March 18
Alaska @ Wenatchee, 7:05 pm

Thursday, March 19
Wichita Falls @ Topeka, 7:05 pm

Friday, March 20
Alaska @ Wenatchee, 7:05 pm
USNTDP @ Traverse City, 7:05 pm
Wichita Falls @ Topeka, 7:05 pm
Mahoning Valley @ St. Louis, 7:15 pm
Owatonna @ Springfield, 7:30 pm
Kenai River @ Fairbanks, 7:30 pm
North Iowa @ Alexandria, 7:00 pm
Bismarck @ Albert Lea, 7:00 pm
Alpena @ USNTDP, 7:00 pm
Motor City @ Marquette, 7:30 pm

Saturday, March 21
Alaska @ Wenatchee, 7:05 pm
USNTDP @ Traverse City, 7:05 pm
Mahoning Valley @ St. Louis, 7:15 pm
Owatonna @ Springfield, 7:30 pm
Kenai River @ Fairbanks, 7:30 pm
North Iowa @ Alexandria, 7:00 pm
Bismarck @ Albert Lea, 7:00 pm
Alpena @ USNTDP, 7:00 pm
Motor City @ Marquette, 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 22
Alaska @ Wenatchee, 5:05 pm
Traverse City @ Alpena, 3:00 pm
Bismarck @ Alexandria, 5:00 pm

(all times local)

North American Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2009

• One postseason berth still up for grabs - NAHL
• Phantoms Prepare for Divisional Showdown with Team USA - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
• Bandits steal two from Wildcats - Wichita Falls Wildcats
• North Stars sweep NAHL weekly honors - Traverse City North Stars
• Former Outlaws Make NCAA Division III Frozen Four - North Iowa Outlaws

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