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NAHL North American Hockey League

Wenatchee Crowned Regular-Season Champs

March 29, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release


With three teams still in contention for the North American Hockey League's (NAHL) regular-season title heading into final weekend, it was the Wenatchee Wild which eventually came out on top and it took a tie-breaker to settle the score.

The Wild, which wrapped up its regular-season slate with a 4-1 swing against the Alaska Avalanche and the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, finished even with the Topeka RoadRunners in points (93), but won the tie-breaker - most wins (45 over Topeka's 44) - to grab the honor.

"We're very proud of everything the team has accomplished on the ice this season, including winning the NAHL's regular-season championship and the West Division championship," said Wild president Bill Stewart.

"I think this accomplishment takes into account a long 58-game season and really shows the high character and focus we have in the locker room," added Wild associate head coach Ryan McKelvie, whose team finished the campaign with a 45-10-3 record.

The Wild, though, isn't about to take its foot off the gas. An overtime goal away from a Robertson Cup championship in its inaugural season of 2008-09, there's nothing Wenatchee wants more than to be labeled national champions.

"Having won the regular-season championship is great, but our ultimate goal is still to win the Robertson Cup title, and that's where our players' full focus needs to be."

As hosts of the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, Wenatchee, which will take on the Kenai River Brown Bears in the West Division semifinals (Alaska will play Fairbanks in the other divisional semis), has already secured an automatic bid five-team event, which will take place from May 4-9.

"Even though we have an automatic berth in the Robertson Cup, I don't think that motivation in the playoffs will be issue for us," said McKelvie. "Our players want to win the West Division playoff title again, and they know it's important to be playing our best hockey heading into the tournament.

"We'll need all 20 players on the ice to be good every game if we want to achieve our goals in the playoffs, and I think we showed signs that we're figuring this out in our latest road trip (to Alaska)."

The Wild's efforts off the ice were just as impressive, especially at the Town Toyota Center turnstiles. For the second straight season, Wenatchee, last year's NAHL Organization of the Year, led all NAHL teams in both average (3,417 per game) and overall (99,108) attendance.

"Our fan support continues to be overwhelming and unparalleled," said Stewart. "The team's success wouldn't be nearly as gratifying without that support, and we're elated to open the playoffs at home before our fans and to showcase the Wenatchee Valley during the Robertson Cup."

Despite falling just short of a regular-season championship, the Topeka RoadRunners were also in a celebratory mood last week - and with good reason.

After setting a NAHL single-game attendance record - 7,777 packed the Kansas Expocentre on Thursday night - coupled with the announcement that they'll host the 2011 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, the RoadRunners also skated away with the South Division's regular-season crown with a two-game sweep over the Springfield Jr. Blues.

"It was an exciting week for our organization and for the community as well," said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer. "A record crowd, a South Division title and the Robertson Cup bid being awarded to Topeka all in one night is the stuff movies are made of. It's created a buzz around town you just can't buy."

The RoadRunners will face off against Springfield in the South Division semis; the No. 2-seeded St. Louis Bandits will battle with the Texas Tornado in the other divisional semifinal.

"It's a long season, and having to win 44 games and still not clinch (the division title) until the final day of the season is just amazing to me," said Langer. "In the end, though, the way we won it, and the added excitement around the club has really rejuvenated our team. The guys are confident, excited and determined."

There was one playoff spot still up for grabs in the NAHL heading into last weekend. That was in the Central Division, where the Albert Lea Thunder outlasted North Iowa Outlaws for the fourth and final berth.

The Thunder was propelled by a strong second half to its season and will take on the division champion Bismarck Bobcats in the first round of the playoffs. The Owatonna Express, the No. 2 seed, with play the Alexandria Blizzard in the other Central semis.

"I'm proud of the players and glad all of our efforts as a team have been rewarded, but, like any coach, I hope they can set their standards even higher," said Thunder head coach Chuck Linkenheld.

In the North Division, the Marquette Rangers laid claim to its first-ever regular-season divisional title after picking up three wins. The Rangers will tangle with the Motor City Metal Jackets in the first round of the playoffs, while the second-seeded Traverse City North Stars will take on the Janesville Jets.

"I can't tell you how happy I am for this group of guys," said Rangers head coach Kenny Miller. "They've worked hard all year, survived some bumps in the road, but, when it came time to get it done, they really stepped up and earned the right to be No. 1 going into the playoffs."

FINAL STANDINGS/LEADERS
STANDINGS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/standings.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527

LEADING SCORERS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527

LEADING GOALTENDERS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/goalieleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527

GOALS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527&sortby=g

ASSISTS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527&sortby=a

PLUS/MINUS
http://www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=164&seasonid=4527&sortby=plusminus

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
SHERWOOD/NAHL NORTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Andrew Kolb - Marquette Rangers
Marquette forward Andrew Kolb tallied a goal and three assists as the Rangers skated to three wins and the North Division's regular-season title. After being held scoreless on Thursday - a 2-1 victory over the Traverse City North Stars - the Toledo, Ohio, native came through with a goal and two assists, including one on Brent Bain's game-winner, in a 3-0 win over Janesville. The next night, the 20-year-old picked up another assist as the Rangers blanked the Jets again, 3-0. He was also a plus-4 on the weekend.

"Andrew played solid all three nights," said Rangers head coach Kenny Miller. "He was a force in both the offensive and defensive zones."

HONORABLE MENTION: Janesville forward Kurt Akers

SHERWOOD/NAHL SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nickolas Gatt - Topeka RoadRunners
Topeka defenseman Nickolas Gatt rang up a goal and four assists as the RoadRunners skated to a two-game sweep over Springfield while securing the South Division's regular-season title. On Wednesday, the Farmington Hills, Mich., native recorded a goal and two assists in a 7-4 victory. The next night, the 19-year-old picked up two more assists as the RoadRunners downed the Jr. Blues, 5-2. He was also a plus-5 for the weekend.

"Nickolas showed some positive offensive upside and got our power play going on Wednesday night, and he made good decisions with the puck and took charge from the second period on in Wednesdays' game that continued into Thursday night as well," said RoadRunners assistant coach R.J. Enga.

HONORABLE MENTION: St. Louis forward C.J. Eick; Topeka forwards Michael Hill, Bryce Johnson and Justin Kovacs

SHERWOOD/NAHL CENTRAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Steve Zierke - Alexandria Blizzard
Alexandria forward Steve Zierke connected for four goals and four assists as the Blizzard skated to a 2-0-1 record. On Friday, the Brooklyn Park, Minn., native notched two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in a 5-3 win over North Iowa. The next night, the 19-year-old came through with another game-winning marker and an assist as the Blizzard doubled up the Outlaws, 4-2. On Sunday, Zierke put home a goal and two more assists in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Albert Lea Thunder. He was also a plus-6 on the weekend.

"Steve has really picked up his game in the second half of the season," said Blizzard assistant coach Jeff Crouse. "He's playing with an edge and is using his assets very well. We're looking forward to watching his success continue in the playoffs."

HONORABLE MENTION: Bismarck forward Tyler Klein; Owatonna forward Charlie Thauwald

SHERWOOD/NAHL WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ryan Timar - Wenatchee Wild
Wenatchee forward Ryan Timar struck for two goals and three assists as the Wild went 3-1 to win the NAHL's regular-season title. After picking up an assist in a 5-2 loss to Alaska on Tuesday, the Novi, Mich., native scored two goals the next night in a 6-3 victory over the Avalanche. The 20-year-old added two more assists as the Wild skated to a two-game sweep over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Friday (4-1) and Saturday (6-1). Timar, who started the season with the Alpena IceDiggers, was also a plus-2 for the week.

"Ryan brings a lot to our team in terms of production, reliability and leadership," said Wild associate head coach Ryan McKelvie. "We'll need him to be playing his best hockey in order for our team to have success in the playoffs."

HONORABLE MENTION: Alaska forward Zach Smith

SHERBROOK/NAHL GOALIE OF THE WEEK: Lukas Hafner - Marquette Rangers
Marquette goaltender Lukas Hafner backstopped the Rangers to a pair shutout wins in his two starts against Janesville, turning aside all 59 shots while helping the Rangers clinch the regular-season title in the North Division. On Friday, the Toledo, Ohio, native made 25 saves in a 3-0 victory. The next night, the 18-year-old stopped 34 shots as the Rangers blanked the Jets again, 3-0.

"Lukas was stellar all weekend long," said Rangers head coach Kenny Miller. "He made big save after big save."

HONORABLE MENTION: Topeka's Evan Karambelas

AROUND THE NAHL
ALASKA AVALANCHE: Forward Zach Smith (Anchorage) closed the regular season with four goals and two assists as the Avalanche went 3-1. He finished second in the NAHL with 228 penalty minutes.

ALBERT LEA THUNDER: Despite two losses to Bismarck last weekend, the Thunder still clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division. It will play the Bobcats in the first round of the playoffs.

ALEXANDRIA BLIZZARD: Forward Alex Altenbernd (Moorhead, Minn.) netted three goals and three assists as the Blizzard went 2-0-1. He was also a plus-7 for the weekend.

ALPENA ICEDIGGERS: Forward Mike Henderson (Bloomington, Ind.) has committed to Army (Atlantic Hockey) for next season.

BISMARCK BOBCATS: Forward Tyler Klein (Fargo, N.D), who began the season with North Iowa, connected for two goals and an assist in the Bobcats' 6-3 victory over Albert Lea on Saturday. "Tyler had his best weekend in a Bobcat uniform," said head coach Byron Pool.

FAIRBANKS ICE DOGS: Forward Michael Juola (Lake Forest, Calif.), a Brown University recruit (ECAC), finished the regular season as the league leader in assists with 55.

JANESVILLE JETS: Forward Kurt Akers (Glenview, Ill.) tallied two goals as the Jets went 1-3 to close the regular season.

KENAI RIVER BROWN BEARS: Forward Doug Beck (Plymouth, Mich.) tallied two goals and two assists as the Brown Bears closed the regular season with a pair of losses to Alaska.

MARQUETTE RANGERS: With three wins, the Rangers locked up the North Division's regular-season title - Marquette's first in it four-year history.

MOTOR CITY METAL JACKETS: Forward Cody Wydo (Allen Park, Mich.) rang up the game-winning goal and an assist in the Metal Jackets' 3-2 triumph over Janesville on Wednesday.

NORTH IOWA OUTLAWS: In three North Iowa losses, forward Derek Loisel (Coon Rapids, Minn.) came through with a goal and two assists. He was also a plus-4 for the weekend.

OWATONNA EXPRESS: Forward Chris Darnell ( Barboursville, Va.) registered a goal and two assists, including one on Charlie Thauwald's (Rochester, Minn.) game-winning goal, in the Express' 3-2 victory over North Iowa on Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD JR. BLUES: RIT (Atlantic Hockey) junior goaltender Jared DeMichiel, who played for the Jr. Blues during the 2004-05 season, was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Division I tournament's East Regional after backstopping the Tigers to a Frozen Four berth.

ST. LOUIS BANDITS: Forward C.J. Eick (Appleton, Wis.) struck for a goal and three assists in the Bandits' two-game sweep over Texas. He was also a plus-4 for the weekend.

TEXAS TORNADO: Merrimack College freshman forward Stephane Da Costa, who played for Texas during the 2006-07 season, was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year.

TOPEKA ROADRUNNERS: Goaltender Evan Karambelas (Fort St. John, B.C.) backstopped the RoadRunners to a two-game sweep over Springfield and a South Division regular-season championship, turning aside 42 of 48 shots. "Evan stood tall when we needed him on both nights," said assistant coach R.J. Enga.

TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS: Goaltender Chris Paliafito (Shelbyville, Ky.) has committed to Sacred Heart University (Atlantic Hockey) for next season.

WENATCHEE WILD: Goaltender Brandon Jaeger (Champlin, Minn.) finished the regular-season with the best goals-against average (1.83) and save percentage (.928) among NAHL netminders.

WICHITA FALLS WILDCATS: Forward Brian Sheehan (St. Louis) finished as the team's leading scorer with 60 points on 29 goals.

COLLEGE COMMITMENTS
ALASKA AVALANCHE
Matt Friese - University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) *
Jake Parenteau - University of Minnesota (WCHA)

ALBERT LEA THUNDER
Derek Docken - University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA)
Joe Rogers - University of Notre Dame (CCHA)

ALEXANDRIA BLIZZARD
Jordan Gidaro - Western Michigan University (CCHA)
Bryce Ravndalen - St. Cloud State University (WCHA) #
Jon Swavely - University of Maine (Hockey East) #
Brett Wall - Lake Superior State University (CCHA)

ALPENA ICEDIGGERS
Jay Camper - University of New Hampshire (Hockey East) #
Mike Henderson - Army (Atlantic Hockey)

BISMARCK BOBCATS
Ben Danford - Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey)
Jason Fabian - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Gavin Hartzog - University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
Ryan Jacobson - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey) *
Casey Kleisinger - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Tom McCarthy - Merrimack College (Hockey East)
Sam Rendle - Bemidji State University (CHA)
Tony Turgeon - University of Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA) #
Aaron Quick - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)

FAIRBANKS ICE DOGS
Michael Juola - Brown University (ECAC)
Jared Larson - University of Minnesota (WCHA)
Jared Linnell - University of Alaska-Fairbanks (CCHA) *
George Michalke - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Josh Nelson - Minnesota State-Mankato (WCHA)
Mark Pustin - University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA)
Mike Taffe - University of Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA)
Zach Tolkinen - Quinnipiac University (ECACHL)

JANESVILLE JETS
Rui Encarnacao - University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey)

KENAI RIVER BROWN BEARS
Andrej Sustr - University of Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA) #

MARQUETTE RANGERS
Kevin Gravel - St. Cloud State University (WCHA) #
Nate Heng - University of Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA) #
Tanner Kero - Michigan Tech University (WCHA)
Garrett Ladd - Bemidji State University (CHA)
Ryan McGrath - Holy Cross (Atlantic Hockey, D1) #

MOTOR CITY METAL JACKETS
Brice Geoffrion - University of Alabama-Huntsville (CHA)
Ryan Misiak - Mercyhurst College (Atlantic Hockey ) #
Patrick Sullivan - Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey)

OWATONNA EXPRESS
Pat Borer - University of Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA) #
Brian McGinty - Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey)
Ben Persian - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Cory Thorson - St. Cloud State University (WCHA)
Mike Shibrowski - Colorado College (WCHA)
Jake Sloat - Bowling Green State University (CCHA)
Jake Youso - University of Minnesota (WCHA)

SPRINGFIELD JR. BLUES
Jack Callahan - Quinnipiac University (ECAC) #
Randy Cure - Mercyhurst College (Atlantic Hockey)
Nick Curry - University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Hockey East)
Rob Dongara - Northeastern University (Hockey East) #
Trent Frey - Mercyhurst College (Atlantic Hockey)
CJ Groh - University of Alabama-Huntsville (CHA)
Jared Rickord - Bentley University (Atlantic Hockey)

ST. LOUIS BANDITS
Conor Allen - University of Massachusetts (Hockey East) #
Garrett Bartus - University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey)
Clinton Bourbonais - Yale University (ECAC) #
Michael Gunn - Michigan State University (CCHA) #
Joe Kalisz - University of Alaska-Fairbanks (CCHA)
David Makowski - University of Denver (WCHA) #
Patrick McCadden - Michigan Tech University (WCHA) #
Daniel Olszewski - University of Denver (WCHA)
Ryan Rashid - Niagara University (CHA, D1) #
Brad Smith - Ohio State University (CCHA)

TOPEKA ROADRUNNERS
Bryon Paulazzo - Miami University (CCHA) #
Kevin Ryan - Niagara University (CHA)
Cole Schneider - University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey)
Reed Seckel - Northern Michigan University (CCHA) #
Tony Thomas - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)

TRAVERSE CITY NORTH STARS
Kelin Ainsworth - Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
Kyle Jean - Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
Andy Huff - Ferris State University (CCHA)
David Johnstone - Michigan State University (CCHA) #
Tyler Marble - Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
Chris Paliafito - Sacred Heart University (Atlantic Hockey)
Dan Radke - Lake Superior State University (CCHA)

WENATCHEE WILD
Kyle Brodie - Bemidji State University (CHA)
Brandon Burrell - St. Cloud State University (WCHA)
Armand De Swardt - Cornell University (ECAC)
Nic Dowd - St. Cloud State University (WCHA) #
Jeff Jubinville - Bemidji State University (CHA)
Adam McKenzie - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Alex McLean - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Shawn Pauly - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey) *
Ryan Timar - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Mitch Torrel - Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey)
Michael Voran - University of Notre Dame (CCHA) #

WICHITA FALLS WILDCATS
Kyle Gallegos - Tufts University (NESCAC)
Zach Ledford - Bentley University (Atlantic Hockey)

# alumni
* for 2011-12 season
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