Two Blizzard wins help create logjam atop NAHL West
Published on November 18, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alexandria Blizzard News Release
Two close wins over the weekend allowed the Minnesota Blizzard to keep pace with the leaders in the Western Division of the North American Hockey League. The race for first place in the Division is extremely tight, with the Blizzard, Billings, Fargo-Moorhead, and Helena each claiming a piece of the lead.
A three-goal third period enabled the Blizzard to post a 4-3 win over the Fargo-Moorhead Jets at the Runestone Community Center. Dan McCauley (Blaine, Minnesota) tallied in the first period, giving Minnesota the early lead. The Jets scored two consecutive goals, to go ahead early in the final period. The Blizzard tied the game nearly five minutes into the third stanza, on a power-play score by Ryan Hawkins (Eden Prairie, Minnesota). Goals by Sean Fish (Ramsey, Minnesota) and Dan Swanson (Menomonie, Wisconsin) gave the Blizzard a 4-2 lead, before the Jets scored with just over three minutes to go. Marcus Paulson (Eden Prairie, Minnesota) was again stellar in the nets for the Blizzard, turning away 41 Fargo-Moorhead shots.
Saturday night, a shoot-out was necessary, as the Blizzard posted a 4-3 victory. During regulation play, Minnesota grabbed one-goal leads three times, only to have the Billings Bulls come back. Dan Swanson jump-started the Blizzard offense, scoring just 26 seconds into the game. A power-play goal by Sean Fish late in the second period put Minnesota up, 2-1. Midway through the final period, Jake Nelson (Superior, Wisconsin) scored, to give the Blizzard a 3-2 advantage. The Bulls tied the game, with under two minutes remaining, then had a chance to win in overtime. The Blizzard successfully killed off a Billings power-play opportunity in the overtime, to keep the score tied. In the shoot-out, Ian Schaser was the only Billings player to get a puck past Marcus Paulson. Tony Selvog (Warroad, Minnesota) scored in the third round of the shoot-out, then Shawn Bitzan (Alexandria, Minnesota) settled the matter, getting the game-winner in the final round of the shoot-out. The Blizzard victory kept the team unbeaten on its home ice in Alexandria, with five victories, in as many games.
Ahead for the Blizzard: Three games this coming weekend. Friday night, the Blizzard heads to Fargo, to play the Jets at 7:30. Then, the Bozeman IceDogs will make their only regular-season appearance in Minnesota, playing the Blizzard Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, at 5:00 p.m. Turkey bowling will take place, with prize giveaways, during Saturday's Blizzard game. Sunday's contest has been deemed "NASCAR Night" with various events and promotions featuring a racing theme. Tickets are available, by calling (320) 763-1413, or at the door, starting one hour before game time.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2004
- One-goal losses plague Icedogs - Bozeman Icedogs
- Barons grab three points over rival Phantoms - Cleveland Barons
- Two Blizzard wins help create logjam atop NAHL West - Alexandria Blizzard
- Former IceDigger Zeman leading NCAA Division III in scoring - Alpena IceDiggers
- Wildcats light lamp, but drop two close contests - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jets move into first place tie - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Weekend wins put Tornado atop NAHL once again - Texas Tornado
- Phantoms' win streak snapped at five - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Bobcats blast Bulls twice at home - Bismarck Bobcats
- NAHL names players of the week - NAHL
- NAHL races burning at the two-month mark - NAHL
- Bulls Campaign in West Division Parity - Billings Bulls
- Phantoms Could Take Over First Place - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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