Soo Eagles Weekly Update

April 11, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Eagles News Release


Soo Eagles vs Port Huron NAHL North Division Semifinal Schedule

Game 1: Port Huron at Soo Eagles - Friday, April 12, 7:30 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)

Game 2: Port Huron at Soo Eagles - Saturday, April 13, 7:30 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)

Game 3: Soo Eagles at Port Huron - Thursday, April 18, 7:00 p.m. (McMorran Arena)

*Game 4: Soo Eagles at Port Huron - Friday, April 19, 7:00 p.m. (McMorran Arena)

*Game 5: Port Huron at Soo Eagles - Monday, April 22, 7:00 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)

*If Necessary

North American Hockey League playoff picture

The winner of the Eagles vs. Fighting Falcons North Division semifinal will face the winner of the other series, between the Jamestown Ironmen and the Kalamazoo Fighting Falcons. That series begins on Thursday and Friday, in Jamestown, N.Y. The Jr. K-Wings were victorious in their North Play-In series against Springfield, 2-0, outscoring the Jr. Blues, 13-1 in the process. Dates of the best-of-five North Division Finals will be determined at a later date.

In the Central Division, 1-seed Austin will face 4-seed Minot, and 2-seed Bismark will take on 3-seed Brookings, starting on Friday. Both are best-of-five semifinal series.

In the West Division, 1-seed Wenatchee will face 4-seed Fresno, and 2-seed Fairbanks will take on 3- seed Kenai River, starting on Friday. Both are best-of five semifinal series.

In the South Division, 1-seed Amarillo and 4-seed Corpus Christie are knotted at 1-1 in their best-of-five semifinal series. Defending Robertson Cup Champion and 3-seed Texas is up 2-0 in their best-of-five semifinal series against 2-seed Topeka.

The four division winners will face off in the 2013 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament will be held from May 10-13, 2013 at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas, and for the first time in 10 years, will be hosted by the NAHL and not a member team. The Robertson Cup crowns the NAHL's playoff champion and also represents USA Hockey's Tier II Junior National Champion.

Follow the 2013 Robertson Cup Playoffs at the official site of the Robertson Cup at: http://www.robertsoncup.com

Eagles close regular season with pair of wins

The Soo Eagles ended the regular season with a pair of wins at Pullar Stadium, against the Janesville Jets. Here is a recap of the action..

Soo Eagles 5, Janesville Jets 4, (SO 3-1) - March 30, 2013

The Janesville Jets were two minutes away from a victory, and a spot in the North American Hockey League playoffs. A few minutes later they were a shootout victory away from the post-season. The Soo Eagles spoiled the Janesville playoff party, as three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Soo Eagles defeated the Janesville Jets in a shootout 5-4 (3-1 SO). The shootout featured eight attempts between both teams. Janesville's shootout goal was scored by Todd Koritzinsky. In addition to the clincher, Soo got shootout goals from Sean Murphy and Dante Suffredini. The Eagles overcame a one-goal deficit to capture the victory. Soo fell behind 4-3 after a goal by the Jets' Jordan Himley at 3:50 in the third period. The Eagles tied things up at 4-4 on a goal by Murphy at 18:03 in the third period. Jared VanWormer had two goals to lead Soo to victory. VanWormer scored at 14:14 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Soo and again while 5:08 into the second to make the score 3-2 Soo. VanWormer also clinched the scoring title in the North American Hockey League. Soo also got points from Murphy, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Soo also got a goal from Pat Thompson as well. In addition, Soo received assists from Eric Rivard, who had one and Brandon Adams, who had two. Janesville forced Soo goalie Tyler Marble to work between the pipes, taking 50 shots. The Jets were helped by Mike Sullivan, who racked up one goal. Sullivan scored 19:48 into the second period to make the score 3-3. Koritzinsky provided the assist. Janesville additionally got points from Himley, who also had one goal and one assist and Jason Ford, who also finished with one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Bryan Kronberger also scored for Janesville. More assists for Janesville came via Kucerovy, Alec Vanko, Ryan Dau, and Zach Diamantoni, who contributed one a piece. Marble recorded 46 saves for the Eagles. Soo incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with eight minors. Janesville's Brock Kautz stopped 36 shots out of the 40 that he faced. The Jets incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.

Soo Eagles 6, Janesville Jets 4 - March 29, 2013

While the game didn't mean anything in the standing to the Soo Eagles, they played like it meant everything, in front of the largest crowd of the season, and they defeated the Janesville Jets, 6-4, on Friday night at Pullar Stadium.

The crowd of 936 was electrified in the second and third period, where both teams combined for nine goals. The Eagles, who were down at one point 3-1, gained the winning advantage on a goal by Sean Murphy 8:28 into the third period and hung on until final buzzer. The Eagles got the win thanks to a great game by Murphy, who had two goals and one assist. Murphy scored the first of his two goals at 10:37 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Janesville. Brandon Adams assisted on the tally. Murphy's next tally made the score 5-4 Soo with 11:32 left in the third period. Adams picked up the assist. The Eagles also got points from Adams, who also tallied one goal and three assists. Michael Lant also scored for the Soo. Other players who recorded assists for the Eagles were Jared VanWormer, who had four and Kyle Froese, Mike Sabatini, Kyle Loridon, and Michael Crowley, who each chipped in one. Janesville was helped by Zac Avolio, who finished with one goal. Avolio scored short handed 13:44 into the second period to make the score 3-1 Janesville. A checking from behind call on Ryan Gotelaere put the Jets on the penalty kill. Janesville additionally got points from Kucerovy, who also registered one goal and one assist and Jason Ford, who also racked up one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Janesville also got a goal from Conor Lemirande as well. More assists for Janesville came via Brett Bauza, Alec Vanko, Zach Diamantoni, and Todd Koritzinsky, who contributed one a piece. Tyler Marble rejected 31 shots on goal for the Eagles. Austin Priebe recorded 42 saves for Janesville. The Jets registered two goals on five power play opportunities.

Eagles pre-draft tryout camp 2013-14

Enrollment is limited - Register early to avoid disappointment.

The Soo Eagles are proud to announce the try-out camp schedule for the 2013-2014 North American Hockey League season. The first camp will be held May 17-19 at the Big Bear Arena, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. There will also be try-out camps in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 31 - June 2 and Farmington Hills, MI on June 21 - 23. Additional camps for the 2013-14 NAHL season, will be announced soon.

The Eagles are committed to find those players who have a passion for hockey and wish to pursue the highest level of hockey possible. We are looking for players who place a premium on character on and off the ice. The Eagles have the finest Billet and Education coordinator along with Coach Bruno Bragagnolo, who has compiled a 127-39-12 record in three years in SSM including a NOJHL Championship in 2010/11. Coach Bragagnolo has moved several players to higher levels and has a network of college coaches he is in contact with throughout the year. The Soo Eagles are anticipating several openings for their roster next year. The Eagles camps are designed so players can show the coaches and scouts their respective skills. There will be at least three games guaranteed and then a chance to be selected for the Sunday All-star game. The Eagles will have their main camp in August for those boys who would be invited back. With the NAHL draft on June 3rd, this is a wonderful opportunity to show the staff your skill level prior to the draft.

All players will get three full games. All Soo Eagles coaching and scouting staff will be in attendance to closely watch all players. The cost of the camp for players born 1993-1997 is $250.00 USD. Preferred method of payment is Pay Pal, but checks and cash will be accepted (follow instructions after submitting form). Refunds will be available, up to 30 days before the start of camp.

Playoff tickets and 2013-14 season tickets now available

The 2012-13 NAHL North Division Regular-Season Champion Soo Eagles are in the playoffs, and you can get your playoff tickets right now, as well as a jump on 2013-14 season tickets.

Playoff tickets are available now at the Pullar box office. The Eagles have home-ice advantage throughout the North Division playoffs, and they will host the first two games of their semifinal against an opponent to be determined. Dates and times will be confirmed, once the first-round series are complete.

You can also start looking forward to another exciting season of North American Hockey League action, with 2013-14 Soo Eagles season tickets. No inflation here, as prices will remain right where they are this season. There are many advantages on purchasing season tickets early. Season ticket holders receive discounted pricing as compared to individual game prices. Season ticket holders receive 15% off all Soo Eagles merchandise, and $2.00 off playoff game tickets.

When you purchase season tickets for the 2013-14 season they include 28 games. Prices are $180.00 for adults (18 & over), $145.00 for senior (62 & over), and $100.00 student (17 & under or college student with ID).

There are two ways to buy 2013-14 Soo Eagles season tickets. 1. Order online at www.sooeagles.net (coming soon) 2. Pay in person at the Soo Eagles ticket box office or team office.

VanWormer closes in on NAHL scoring title

Soo Eagles captain Jared VanWormer helped lead his team to a North Division title, has earned a Division 1 scholarship with Ferris State, and is two games away from leading the North American Hockey League in scoring.

Last weekend, VanWormer increased his league-leading point total to 70, and he currently sits two points ahead of Austin's Brandon Wahlin, and four points ahead of Topeka's Kyle Sharkey. Eric Rivard is sixth in the NAHL in scoring with 62 points.



North American Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2013


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