Unbeaten Streak Snapped, Division Lead Remains at Double Digits
January 22, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) It had been more than a month and nine games since the Fargo-Moorhead Jets had lost a game in regulation as they traveled to Mason City, Iowa last weekend for two games. The streak met its demise, but as it turned out, it would take a goal from center-ice, and even a goal scored by the North Iowa Outlaws' goaltender to break the unbeaten streak.
The FM Jets ended up splitting their series with North Iowa, losing 6-4 on Saturday and then winning 4-3 on Sunday. However, the entire focus of the weekend will center on Saturday's game in which North Iowa not only snapped a nine-game unbeaten streak for the FM Jets, but did so with a very unorthodox scoring punch.
Saturday's game featured a goal by North Iowa's Steve McLeod, whose shot from center-ice fooled FM Jets' starting goaltender Elliot Okland (Fargo, ND) and helped stake the Outlaws to a 3-0 lead in the opening ten minutes. However, the FM Jets weren't about to see their unbeaten streak come to an end easily as they rallied and would bring the deficit to within one goal on three separate occasions, but never did tied the score.
With the score 5-4 in the final minute of regulation the FM Jets pulled goaltender Austin Lee (Bloomington, MN) in favor of an extra attacker to increase pressure in search of that elusive tying goal. However, North Iowa goaltender Jay Clark stopped a shot from Mark Johnson (Bloomington, MN) and then lifted the puck over everyone's head. The puck landed at center-ice and slid all the way into the FM Jets' unguarded goal.
The goal sealed the win for North Iowa, set off a wild celebration at the North Iowa Ice Arena, and left the FM Jets' bench shaking their heads with befuddled gazes.
"I had seen (a goal scored by a goalie) once before but never in a situation like this (one goal game)" said FM Jets' head coach Chad Johnson. "We were joking after the game that (Clark) should've let another goal in after he scored so that he would get credited with the game winner."
There is no record as to how many goaltenders have scored in a North American Hockey League game, but as a point of reference, its' only occurred nine times in the 80-plus year history of the National Hockey League.
The defeat was the first in regulation for the FM Jets' since December 15th, but the stay in the loss column wasn't long as the team recovered the following day to earn a series split with a 4-3 victory. That win looked as though it would come easy, but ended up having another dramatic finish.
First period goals by Matt Moreland (Grand Forks, ND) and Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) gave the FM Jets a 2-0 lead. Ryan Adams (Deloraine, MB) made it 3-0 in the second period and heading into the third the FM Jets seemed well on their way to cruising, but that wouldn't end up being the case.
North Iowa scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the third period to cut the lead to 3-2 and the FM Jets had to hold on over the final minutes to preserve the lead. North Iowa pulled their goaltender Jay Clark in the final minute which led to an empty net goal by Robert Carr (Roseau, MN) to extend the lead to 4-2. The empty net goal proved to be the game winner, as North Iowa wasn't done yet, getting another goal with 13 seconds left to make the final 4-3.
Echternach, Connolly Extend Scoring Streaks
Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) and Chris Connolly (Duluth, MN) recorded points in each game last weekend, extending their individual point streaks to 11 games each. The 11 consecutive games with a point is a high for the FM Jets, and one game away from matching the NAHL season high of 12 straight games held by Nolan Craner and Todd Rudasill both of the Alpena Icediggers.
Echternach had the best weekend, scoring three goals. Connolly had an assist both nights.
Weak Competition
Starting with their two games against North Iowa last weekend, the FM Jets are in a stretch where they are playing six straight against teams with records below .500%. The FM Jets aren't scheduled to play another team over .500% until they travel to Fairbanks for three games beginning February 9.
The FM Jets are 15-6-1 against teams below .500%. As it stands now, of the FM Jets' final 22 games, only seven are against teams with winning records.
Last Week
Jan. 20 @ North Iowa Outlaws 4-6 L
Jan. 21 @ North Iowa Outlaws 4-3 W
This Week
Jan. 27 Bismarck Bobcats 7:35pm (CST)
Jan. 28 @ Bismarck Bobcats 7:05pm (CST)
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 January 22, 2007
- Players at Culver's serving meals - Alpena IceDiggers
- Unbeaten Streak Snapped, Division Lead Remains at Double Digits - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Wildcats Win Weekend Series Against Avalanche - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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