Weekend Preview: Ice Miners Return Home to Try to Widen Second Place Lead
February 4, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Keystone Ice Miners News Release
CONNELLSVILLE, PA - After a weekend sweep of the Warriors in Flint, the Keystone Ice Miners have points in 7 straight games and 11 of 12 overall. They have opened up a 5 point gap between themselves and the Soo Eagles, who come into Connellsville this weekend coming off a winless series with Janesville. Friday night marks the first of five games in nine days for the Ice Miners before they embark on a two week trip to Alaska.
Keystone's sweep in Michigan consisted of a big weekend from Noah Batis and the Coleman brothers. Batis scored both nights, extending his goal streak to four games, while Jake and A.J. Coleman each added two helpers on Saturday while A.J. completed a three point night with the game winning goal. Both Alex Blankenburg and Nick Kossoff stayed sharp getting wins, and Kossoff captured the NAHL goalitender of the month for January.
The Soo Eagles were swept at home against Janesville and have lost four straight to the Jets around an overtime win against Michigan. Overall, the Eagles have dropped 6 of 9, surrendering 42 goals in that span. Soo has given up 145 goals this season, the most in the North Division. The saving grace for the Eagles has been their offense, as they boast five players with 30 or more points, lead by Sandis Zolmanis (39). Trevor Cope leads the team with 16 goals. In between the pipes, Sean Keating and Jack Berry have shared time, each with 21 decisions on the season. The two have very similar numbers as Keating is 11-10-0 with a 3.33 GAA and a .894 SV% while Berry is 11-9-1 with a 3.23 and a .898.
The road team was won all four head-to-head meetings so far this season. Keystone swept a trip to Pullar Stadium in late September, picking up 6-3 and 3-1 wins on September 26th and 27th. The weekend included Cameron Smith's first NAHL goal and Nick Kossoff's first career win. The Eagles responded with two wins in mid-November at the Ice Mine with 2-1 and 3-2 (shootout) victories on November 15th and 16th. Brad Pung and Chase Matson each recorded multi-point weekends.
The Ice Miners are 9-2-2 in their last 13 home games, dating back to the last time they played Soo, while the Eagles recent slide has dropped them to just a point ahead of Johnstown, currently sitting in the fourth and final playoff spot. Everyone is still looking up at Janesville, who has won 18 of 19 games and leads the NAHL with 69 points.
Friday is "It's a Connellsville Night at the Ice Mine," sponsored by the Connellsville Rotary, Lions Club, and Chamber of Commerce. Saturday night is "Superhero Night," with a $2 discount on tickets for anyone dressing like a Superhero. There will be an intermission costume contest with a prize for the best costume. Both games begin at 7:30 with gates opening at 6:30. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 724-628-4847.
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