Weekend Preview: Ice Miners Searching to Re-Capture Consistency in Kenai River
February 27, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Keystone Ice Miners News Release
Although splitting a weekend in Fairbanks is usually seen as an accomplishment, Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Ice Dogs was the fifth in six overall games for the Ice Miners after winning 11 of their previous 13. The recent slide has dropped Keystone two points behind the Soo Eagles into third place in the North Division, with the Eagles holding another two points above their heads in the form of the suspended game from February 7th in which Soo leads 2-1 in the third period. The Ice Miners do hold a four point edge over the fourth place Johnstown Tomahawks heading into this weekend and see their "magic number" to clinch a playoff berth sitting at 6. Here are some notes to get you prepared for this weekend's games against the Kenai River Brown Bears:
-The Ice Miners swept the Brown Bears by 5-2 and 3-2 (SO) margins on December 30th and 31st at the Ice Mine. Brendan Jaquay (IR) had a big weekend, scoring three goals and a shootout tally. Keenan Sabatini, A.J. Coleman, and Robert Jaworski all netted their first NAHL goals on 12/30.
-Austin Romzek and Matt Jones were named honorable mentions in this past week's NAHL Stars of the Week. Romzek netted the first Ice Miners hat trick of the season on Friday in Fairbanks while Jones had three points (1G, 2 A) on the weekend. Jones was one of four Ice Miners representatives at the Top Prospects Tournament in Ann Arbor, MI earlier this week.
-Kenai River snapped an 8 game losing streak with a 6-5 overtime win against Johnstown on Saturday. Jack Gessert's fourth goal of the game was the OT winner despite the Brown Bears blowing a 5-1 lead. Kenai River lost to Johnstown 3-1 on Friday.
-Despite the top three Midwest Division playoff spots already being clinch by some combination of the Minnesota Wildnerness, Fairbanks, and Coulee Region, Kenai River is still just five points behind the Minnesota Magicians for a playoff spot. The Magicians have two games in hand on the Brown Bears, however, and the teams do not play any more head-to-heads this season.
Both games between the Ice Miners and Brown Bears begin at 11:30 ET on Friday and Saturday night. FASTHockey.com will carry the home feed only. Live updates of both games will also be provided on Twitter @keystoneminers.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2015
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- IceRays Slip in Third Period, Fall 4-3 to Killer Bees - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bruins Clip Wings at Home - Austin Bruins
- 'Cats Clinch Playoff Spot in Overtime Loss - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Weekend Preview: Ice Miners Searching to Re-Capture Consistency in Kenai River - Keystone Ice Miners
- Gaarder Brings Uniqueness, Relentlessness to Team - Coulee Region Chill
- Put Away Time - Minot Minotauros
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