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Ruff Heroics Propel Express Into Round Two

April 9, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Owatonna Express News Release

FARIBAULT - The Southern Minnesota Express are moving on. Thanks to Jamie Ruff's heroic hat trick, the Express dodged a serious case of nerves to beat the Alexandria Blizzard and advance to Round 2 of the North American Hockey League playoffs.

Trailing 3-2 entering the third period Sunday night, the Express tied the game midway through the period on Sean Murphy's goal before Ruff scored on the powerplay in the game's final minute to collect the game-winning goal. Joe Welch and Joel Gaulrapp sealed the victory with a pair of empty-net goals for a final score of 6-3. Southern Minnesota wins the series 3-2.

After losing in overtime Saturday, the Express looked tense throughout most of the deciding game Sunday. Errant passes, poor decisions, and a lack of cohesiveness plagued Southern Minnesota throughout the game. In the end, it was a gutsy penalty call by referee Tom Steinel, Jr. in the game's waning moments that enabled Southern Minnesota to win the hockey game. It was just the kind of break the Express needed to regain their composure and emerge victorious. Dan Swanson, Jim Jensen, and Scott Motz scored for the Blizzard, who gave Southern Minnesota all they could handle in the epic five-game series.

While the Blizzard season came to an end Sunday, the Express will now face the Fargo-Moorhead Jets in a best-of-seven series. The winner advances to the NAHL final tournament in Ohio. Tickets for Round 2 are available at the Express offices, Martin's Cycling and Fitness, and Insty Prints in Owatonna and at B&B Sporting Goods in Faribault.

North American Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2006

Ruff Heroics Propel Express Into Round Two - Owatonna Express
U.S. National Under-17 Team Beats Traverse City 1-0, Advances To Division Finals - U.S. National Team
Phantoms fall to Barons in Game Five - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
Stars fall, 1-0 - Traverse City North Stars
U.S. National Under-18 Team Wins Final World Championship Tune-up Game - U.S. National Team

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