Weekend Sweep Moves Winning Streak to Seven Games
October 31, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
Fargo (ND) Comebacks are becoming old hat for the Fargo-Moorhead Jets who pulled off a pair of them in a weekend sweep over the Southern Minnesota Express at the Carlson Coliseum on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28. The come from behind wins are just the latest triumphs that have extended the FM Jets to a seven game winning streak, matching the second longest such streak in team history.
Fargo-Moorhead fell behind 2-0 in the second period on Oct. 27, before rookie Grant Larson (Fargo, ND) made it 2-1 before the intermission break. Then in the third period, the FM Jets turned to Jesse Echternach (Bemidji, MN) and Jordy Trottier (Bozeman, MT) who each recorded a goal and an assist, along with a Matt Moreland (Grand Forks, ND) empty net goal to complete a 4-2 comeback win.
The following night, Southern Minnesota took a 2-1 lead late in the second period, before last minute goals from rookie Marc Mihulka (Grand Forks, ND) and Trottier seven seconds apart leap-frogged the FM Jets in front 3-2 before the intermission. Moreland added an insurance goal in the third period to make the final once again 4-2.
A definite player of the week candidate, Trottier had undoubtedly his finest weekend in junior A hockey to date. The rookie who has deep National Hockey League bloodlines, recorded 4 points (3 goals). FM Jet players have earned the Central Division's player of the week honors each of the last two weeks (Rob Johnson and Matt Moreland).
Though only October, to give the FM Jets' the cliché nickname of "Comeback Kids" would be appropriate. They are a young team who have made comebacks regularly. In this winning streak, the FM Jets have trailed at least once in five of the games, including three games in which the FM Jets trailed entering the third period.
For the season, the FM Jets have trailed at least once in seven of their 11 wins something that is both positive and negative in the mind of head coach Chad Johnson.
"(The comebacks) show that this team is working hard and never feels out of a game which is a great lesson to learn early" said Johnson. "However, it shows we still haven't put together a full 60 minutes yet."
The FM Jets have now won seven games in a row, which matches the second longest streak in the team's four-year history. The FM Jets also won seven consecutive games Jan. 22-Feb. 12 2005. Last season, the FM Jets opened the season on a franchise-record ten-game winning streak.
The current seven-game winning streak is the longest streak in the North American Hockey League this season
First Place Halloween Showdown
The FM Jets will be going for their eighth straight victory, and will be trying to maintain sole possession of first place in the Central Division when they travel west to play the
Bismarck Bobcats on Halloween Night at 7:05pm. It's a rare Tuesday night game, but will have all the intensity f a weekend match-up.
The FM Jets (11-4-0, 22pts) hold a two-point lead over second place Bismarck (9-6-2, 20pts). This will be the FM Jets first visit to Bismarck this season, though the teams did play each other Oct. 13-14 at the Carlson Coliseum with the FM Jets winning both games with third period comebacks.
Leading the League
The FM Jets 22pts and .733% winning percentage is tied for the best in the entire NAHL with the Santa Fe Roadrunners.
October Attendance Up
The FM Jets had their best month of October attendance wise in team history. In six October home games, the FM Jets drew 4.695 fans (783 per game), which is an increase of 49% over last October's 2,440 fans in four games.
Penalty Kill Plays Well
The FM Jets' penalty kill is at 94% during the seven-game winning streak, and for the season has climbed to sixth in the NAHL at 88%.
Scoring Streak Continues
With a goal in each game this weekend, Matt Moreland (Grand Forks, ND) has tallied at least one goal in all six games he has played in since returning from the University of North Dakota.
Last Week
Oct. 27 Southern Minnesota Express 4-2 win
Oct. 28 Southern Minnesota Express 4-2 win
This Week
Oct. 31 @ Bismarck 7:05pm
Nov. 3 Marquette 7:35pm
Nov. 4 Marquette 7:05pm
North American Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2006
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Skates Past Alpena 6-3 In Halloween Contest - U.S. National Team
- Rangers Make Multiple Roster Changes - Marquette Rangers
- Phantoms scare up wins - NAHL
- U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team Hosts Alpena Tonight In Halloween Match-Up - U.S. National Team
- Rangers Sweep Weekend - Marquette Rangers
- North Stars deal trio - Traverse City North Stars
- Tornado update - Texas Tornado
- Bismarck Bobcats vs. Vicious Rival FM Jets Tonight - Bismarck Bobcats
- Weekend Sweep Moves Winning Streak to Seven Games - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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