Soo moves to top spot
February 3, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Indians News Release
It took the Soo Indians two periods to warm up Saturday evening but when they did they exploded for six third period goals and erased a 1-0 deficit in defeating the Barons in Strongsville. Despite out shooting the Barons 20-12 through two periods, the Soo trailed 1-0 on Nick Biondos goal at the 15:44 mark of the second period.
Indians leading scorer Nik Sellers took a pass from Steven Kaunisto and drove hard to the net beating the Baron defender to the outside and tied the game just :50 seconds into the third. Drew Satterley also received an assist. The Barons took a 2-1 lead two minutes later but that is all they would get as the Soo racked off five straight tallies to win going away. Glenn Ylitalo banged one home at the 4:30 mark with assists going to Matt Buckley. R.G. Flath scored three minutes later with assists going to Ray Kaunisto and Matt Jones. Matt Jones was sent into the clear at the 8:24 mark and scored finishing off a nifty three way passing play from R.G. Flath and Ray Kaunisto. Drew Satterley scored his first of the weekend at the 11:25 mark to make it 5-2 with assists going to Kellen Chamblee and Matt Buckley and Ray Kaunisto found the back of the net with a low drive on the power play with three minutes remaining to round out the scoring. Jim Pentecost and Joe Beaudry drew assists on the goal.
On Sunday afternoon the Indians knew they would have their hands full and the two teams put on a thriller. Cleveland opened the scoring at 4:48 of the first on the power play as Carter Camper banged home a loose puck in the slot for a 1-0 lead. The Indians stormed back with two goals eleven seconds apart near the end of the period as Joe Beaudry scored a highlight goal banging in a perfect feed from Matt Jones. Steven Kaunisto also received an assist. Drew Satterley then was in the right spot at the right time as he found a Matt Buckley rebound right on his stick on the back door and deposited in the net. The Indians scored to make it 3-1 near the end of the second stanza as Joe Beaudry returned the favor setting up Matt Jones. With the Indians out shooting the Barons 21-9 and holding a 3-1 lead heading into the third they appeared to be in control but the Barons fought back when Nick Kosinski picked off an attempted clearing pass and fired it past Indians netminder Jason Kearney. The power play goal made it 3-2. It was the Barons turn to strike again quickly as 12 seconds later Pat Schafer picked up a loose puck behind the Indians goal and jammed it in unassisted to tie the score at three. The stage was set for heroics and with :44 seconds remaining in the game Nik Sellers won a key face off in the Barons zone and Tiger Marcotte was the hero beating Barons netminder Bob Jarosz. An empty net goal by Drew Satterley, his second of the game, rounded out the scoring as Brandon Getchen cleared the puck into the neutral ice area and Satterley picked it up and skated in untouched to tuck it in the Barons net. Kellen Chamblee also received an assist on the play.
The victory rounded out a highly successful month for the Indians as they went 8-1-1 beginning with a road sweep of Youngstown and highlighted by a thrilling 3-2 victory over the USNTDP under 18 squad. To put this victory into perspective, the USNTDP defeated Notre Dame in South Bend, IN 7-2 early in the year and Friday evening defeated the Michigan State Spartans 4-3 in East Lansing. January ended with back to back sweeps of Toledo and Cleveland.
With the two wins the Indians moved into first place in the NAHL's North Division for the first time this season. A feat that would have seemed miraculous just a couple months ago when they were 18 points behind front running Youngstown.
Coach Shawhan's squad will again look to the road for success as they travel once again to Cleveland Friday night to play the Barons before meeting the IceDiggers of Toledo on Saturday evening in Toledo, Ohio.
Both games will be covered by the voice of the Indians, John Bell, on Talk Radio 1400 AM.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2005
- Bandits-Texas showdown set for this weekend - St. Louis Bandits
- Hansen's exploits earn NAHL Defensive Player of the Week honors - St. Louis Bandits
- Blizzard splits pair with Bismarck - Alexandria Blizzard
- Sellan carries Tornado to two wins in Santa Fe - Texas Tornado
- Bozeman's January record for the dogs - Bozeman Icedogs
- Soo moves to top spot - Soo Indians
- Bulls drop weekend series in Helena, four points from top - Billings Bulls
- Bobcats creeping up in West Division standings - Bismarck Bobcats
- Big crowds help Wildcats defeat Jr. Blues - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Huck named Sher-wood NAHL Offensive Player of the Week - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jets ride five-game win streak into All-Star break - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Barons drop a pair on weekend - Cleveland Barons
- NAHL and Tornado All-Star jerseys now on eBay - NAHL
- Phantoms news - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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