Third Period Comebacks Vault FM Jets into First
October 16, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) One successful third period comeback can be a memorable experience during a weekend series for any hockey team. However, two successful third period comebacks on back-to-back nights is the type of occurrence that creates a buzz around a team and its fan base. The type of buzz that gives players and fans alike, that warm fuzzy feeling about what the future might hold as the season goes on.
Granted, the season is only 11 games old, but a pair of third period comebacks last weekend by the Fargo-Moorhead Jets over their arch-rivals the Bismarck Bobcats, has the team on a roll. The FM Jets overcame a 2-1 second intermission deficit on both Oct. 13th and 14th to take the victories and to move into a first place tie in the Central Division with Bismarck and Springfield.
On Oct. 13, the FM Jets trailed 2-1 entering the third before two goals by Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) early in the third period leap-frogged the FM Jets in front. Bismarck would tie the game on a power play goal midway through the period from Ben Bengston.
The game then went from simply being a fun affair to watch, to one that can hold the title of "Instant Classic." Dan Sirra put Bismarck on top 3-2 with only 1:06 remaining in the regulation and seemingly giving the Bobcats the victory. However, the FM Jets crashed the net after the ensuing face-off and were awarded a penalty shot after a Bismarck defenseman covered the puck in the goal crease.
Rookie Robby Phillipp (Thief River Falls, MN) took the penalty shot and scored, sending the game to overtime. In the extra session -the first of the season for the FM Jets - Matt Moreland (Grand Forks, ND) sent the hometown fans home happy with his third career overtime winner at 2:13.
It was Moreland's first game of the season with the FM Jets, after starting the season with the UND Fighting Sioux.
The FM Jets followed that dramatic victory, with another comeback on Oct. 14. This time Bismarck took a 2-0 lead midway through the second period, before a goal late in the period by Moreland cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into the third period.
In the third period, rookie Marc Harrie (Fargo, ND) and veteran Andrew Harrison (Temperance, MI) each scored midway through the period to give the FM Jets the lead. Phillipp would add an empty net goal with six second remaining giving the FM Jets the 4-2 victory.
For Bismarck, the losses were the latest in a very rare type of winless streak. The Bobcats are winless in their last five games (0-3-2), but in each of the last four games, they have had third period leads and were unable to hold on to them.
Winning Streak
The FM Jets are on their first three-game winning streak of 2006-2007, and their first since Feb. 4-11 of last season.
Penalty Shot Magic
Robby Phillip's (Thief River Falls, MN) penalty shot on Oct. 13 was the third such penalty shot in team history. Just like the previous two, Phillip also scored. Prior to Phillip, Neal Schneider scored on a penalty shot at Bismarck on Oct. 3, 2003, and Kai Kantola connected at Minnesota on Nov. 26, 2005.
Assist Hat Trick
Rob Johnson (Duluth, MN) had three-assists in the FM Jets win over Bismarck on Oct. 13. He is the first FM Jets to get three-assists in a single game since Matt Moreland did it Feb. 10 against Billings.
Hitting the Road
This weekend, the FM Jets play their first official road games of the season, though the team did have four "neutral-site" games at the North American Hockey League Showcase in Blaine, MN in September. The games this weekend, mark the first games away from the Coliseum in over a month.
Oddly, this upcoming weekend is the only weekend the FM Jets don't have at least one home games until the Dec. 22 weekend.
More Penalties
With the referees cracking down on interference penalties, many were expecting a significant increase in penalties called during the hockey season.
So far, there have been 2,234 penalties called in the North American Hockey League, through the first 198 league games. The NAHL is on pace to have 11,749 penalties called during the regular season.
Last season, there were a total of 9,498 penalties called with three more teams in the mix as well.
Scoring Machine
Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) is tied for second in the NAHL in goal scoring with 10 goals. This is Echternach's second season with the FM Jets, after scoring a total of 9 goals last year.
Stopping the Puck
Rookie goaltender Austin Lee (Bloomington, MN) is fifth in the NAHL in save percentage at .927%
Staying Out of the Box
Despite all the increases in numbers of penalties called, the FM Jets have been relatively penalty-free. The FM Jets are averaging only 21.9 PIM per game, which is the second lowest in the NAHL.
Firing on Net
The FM Jets are leading the NAHL with 39.6 shots on goal per game.
Alumni Update
2004-2006 FM Jets forward Kai Kantola (Bowling Green) scored his first collegiate goal on Oct. 15 in a 5-5 tie at Alabama-Huntsville...2005-2006 FM Jet Bobby Moe had a goal and an assist for the North Iowa Outlaws in the NAHL.
Last Week
Oct. 13 Bismarck Bobcats 5-4 OTW
Oct. 14 Bismarck Bobcats 4-2 W
This Week
Oct. 20 @ North Iowa Outlaws 7:05pm
Oct. 21 @ North Iowa Outlaws 7:05pm
The FM Jets Junior A Hockey Club is in its fourth 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 31st 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 audiosportsonline.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2006
- Runners take two of three from Ice Dogs - Topeka Pilots
- IceDiggers invade Traverse City this weekend - Alpena IceDiggers
- Third Period Comebacks Vault FM Jets into First - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
