Season on Brink of Elimination for FM Jets in Central Division Finals
April 17, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) As the Fargo-Moorhead Jets go through practice this week, they are seeing all of their experiences in the past half-year seep into their minds as if this is some sappy 1980s television sitcom flashback episode. Not only the games, soaking wet with memorable moments in themselves, but off-ice incidents and the friendships made there. As this conglomeration of memories montage through each player's head a clear and concise question is silently asked in their mind involuntarily.
Am I ready for this to end?
Many on the FM Jets team will never step foot in the Red River Valley again when their time at the Carlson Coliseum is done. As such, extending the season has many benefits, not the least of which is delaying the evitable terry goodbyes whether they are teammates, host families or friends made in the community.
Plus there is that golden carrot that has been dangled in front of the players all season...a trip to the Robertson Cup Tournament in Ohio. However, at this moment a trip to the Robertson Cup Tournament is anything but a certainty for the FM Jets.
At the end of those flashback episodes on television sitcoms, the protagonists have usually learned a valuable lesson related to a dilemma that began the whole reminiscing sequence to begin with. The result is the introductory issue is rectified and the obligatory happy-ending is achieved.
The FM Jets are hoping that the script is similar for them in their Best-of-Seven North American Hockey League Central Division Finals against the Southern Minnesota Express.
For only the second time in team history, the FM Jets are trailing in a division playoff series; following back-to-back wins by the Southern Minnesota Express to take a 2-0 lead in the series. The Express used an aggressive fore-check, strong stick-handling and quick passes to defeat the FM Jets 4-2 on April 14 and 6-0 on April 15 in Faribault, MN.
"We know we can't get into a skills competition with them but that is what happened last weekend" said FM Jets head coach Chad Johnson. "They were able to play their game and we weren't."
The series will shift to the Carlson Coliseum for games on April 21 and 22 at 7:30pm. Another weekend sweep by Southern Minnesota will advance the first-year Express to the Robertson Cup Tournament and at the same time bring a sudden halt to the FM Jets' season.
Hence the reason for FM Jets' reminiscing this week as they see their season on the brink of elimination unless the momentum of the series is changed. The next question is, will the motivation of months of memories give the FM Jets an added boost to get back into the series?
Southern Minnesota's Offense Dominates First Two Games
Throughout the regular season the Southern Minnesota Express' offense was as potent as any other in the NAHL and it showed with an average of four goals per game, the second highest in the league. However, there was one team that was able to hold the Express' offense in check and that was the FM Jets.
That was until this past weekend. Southern Minnesota outscored the FM Jets 10-2 including a 6-0 victory in Game Two of the series on April 15. The 6-0 Express win is largest margin of defeat for the FM Jets in franchise history.
Southern Minnesota officially out shot the FM Jets 75-55 over the two games, but anyone who was at the games will likely attest to the claim that the Express controlled the tempo and most offensive chances in both contests.
"We weren't there to get any second chances when we would have a shot" added Johnson. "We didn't play well at all but don't anything away from Southern Minnesota. They came out and played very well and now it's up to us to take our game to another level."
Sean Murphy had 5 points (2 goals) while CJ Willms and Ryan Guentzel each had 4 points (2 goals) each to lead the Express offensively. In all, 12 of the 18 skaters who dressed for Southern Minnesota on the weekend scored a point.
The Express did most of their damage in the third period on both nights. In Game One, the FM Jets actually took a 2-1 lead into the final 20 minutes of regulation before Southern Minnesota's offense exploded for three goals in the first seven minutes to come away with a 4-2 victory.
In Game Twp, what had been a 2-0 game entering the third period became a blowout when the Express unleashed four final period strikes.
Over the first two games of the series, Southern Minnesota is outscoring the FM Jets 7-0 in the third period. Amazing considering the way the FM Jets played during the third period for most of the regular season and during their first round series against Bismarck.
Including their first round series against Bismarck, the FM Jets had been outscoring opponents by an average of almost a goal per game in the third period prior to the start of this Central Division Finals Series.
Penalties Galore
Prior to the start of the series, FM Jets head coach Chad Johnson preached the importance for his team to play the body and be aggressive physically. Not to necessarily "goon-up" the game but to play hard and avoid what he calls a "skills competition."
That strategy was hampered somewhat by a pair of referees who decided to call very tight games. Game One referee Thomas Steinel Jr, and Game Two referee Jonathan Peterson combined to call 52 minutes worth of penalties on the FM Jets.
The FM Jets were placed in a short-handed situation 20 times, as compared to 12 for Southern Minnesota in the first two games of the series.
Local Product Gets Chance to Play
Though the FM Jets lost the first two games of the series, there was a positive that could be taken from the weekend. Fargo North senior goaltender Elliot Okland played the final ten minutes of Game two on April 15, making his first-ever appearance in a postseason game for the FM Jets.
Statistics from Game Two don't have Okland listed as playing, but he made 12 saves on 14 shots. During most of his time in net, the FM Jets played short-handed and Okland was called upon to make more than a few high quality saves.
Okland was with the FM Jets' last season but never saw any playoff action as Andy Stricker went wire-to-wire.
Lower Seed Issues
As the lower seed in the Central Division Finals, the FM Jets are trying to accomplish something that hasn't been done in two seasons.
No lower seed has won a division series in the NAHL since Bismarck beat Billings in the 2004 NAHL West Finals. Bismarck was the #3 seed and Billings the #1, and the Bobcats won the series 3-1.
In this series, the FM Jets are #2 seed, while Southern Minnesota is the #1 seed in the division.
Happy Birthday
The FM Jets celebrated two birthdays last week, and will have another one this week. Bob Preece (Bonita Springs, FL) turned 21 on April 11, Rody Selk (Minot, ND) turned 19 on April 12 and Paul Weisgarber will turn 18 on April 18.
Lombardi on the Mend
When John Lombardi (Apple Valley, MN) had his jaw-broken on April 1 in Game Two of the first-round series against Bismarck, the common belief was that the veteran's season was over with. Two weeks, a very successful surgery and an upbeat attitude later, Lombardi is on the verge of once again being an on-ice contributor to the FM Jets and there is a chance he could be in the line-up this weekend for Games Three and Four.
Lombardi has been fitted for with a face-shield with extra padding around his jaw, which has had metal plates inserted in.
NAHL Central Division Finals (Best-of-Seven)
Southern Minnesota Leads Series 2-0
Game 1 Fri. April 14 @ Southern Minnesota Express 2-4 Loss
Game 2 Sat. April 15 @ Southern Minnesota Express 0-6 Loss
Game 3 Fri. April 21 Southern Minnesota Express 7:30pm
Game 4 Sat. April 22 Southern Minnesota Express 7:30pm
Game 5 Tues. April 25 @ Southern Minnesota Express 7:05pm (if necessary)
Game 6 Thurs. April 27 Southern Minnesota Express 7:30pm (if necessary)
Game 7 Sat. April 29 @ Southern Minnesota Express 7:05pm (if necessary)
The FM Jets are the 2005 Borne Cup Champions and are in their third season as members of the North American Hockey League. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 30th year of operation. For more information, visit fmjets.com or call (701) 235-2354.
Jets home games are played at the John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, ND. All games are broadcasted on Today's Hot New Country 103.9 THE TRUCK and sportsjuice.com.
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North American Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2006
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- Cleveland gains home ice advantage with weekend split - Cleveland Barons
- Season on Brink of Elimination for FM Jets in Central Division Finals - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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