NAHL Weekend Preview

October 11, 2013

Another weekend of competition greets NAHL fans this weekend with some intriguing match-ups, particularly out of the divisions. 

 

As a reminder, fans can watch any game live on FASTHockey

 

 

Here is a look at all of the match-ups:

 

Aberdeen Wings vs. Minot Minotauros – Both teams are coming off getting swept in their respective series last weekend. This is the first match-up of the year between the two division rivals. Aberdeen (5-2-1) has yet to lose a game in regulation away from home, while the Minotauros (2-5-1) have dropped four of their last five games.

 

Bismarck Bobcats vs. Brookings Blizzard (Friday) – Riding a four-game winning streak, the Bobcats (6-2) pay a visit to Brookings on Friday night. The Blizzard (0-7-1) are the lone remaining team in the NAHL without a win yet this season. The Bobcats are coming off of two straight weeks in which their players took home Central Star of the Week honors.

 

Brookings Blizzard vs. Austin Bruins (Saturday) – The Blizzard return to the scene of the crime when last weekend the 1st place Bruins (7-1) outscored them a combined 15-2 in two games, which included an 11-1 win over the Blizzard this past Saturday.  Austin’s Jay Dickman is second in the NAHL in points with 13.

 

Minnesota Wilderness vs. Minnesota Magicians – For the second consecutive week, the two new in-state rivals clash in a home-and-home series.  Last weekend, the Wilderness (4-1-3) shutout the Magicians (4-3-1) on Friday and had another shutout in their sights on Saturday, only to see the Magicians score twice in the final minute and win a 22-man combined shootout.

 

Coulee Region Chill vs. Fairbanks Ice Dogs – The Chill (6-3) are in Fairbanks (8-3) for three games and took the opener on Thursday night by a score of 4-2. Mac Jansen scored twice in the win and Adam Carlson made 38 saves. The Ice Dogs have dropped two of their first three games at the Big Dipper, one of the most difficult places to win in the NAHL.

 

Johnstown Tomahawks vs. Michigan Warriors – The Warriors (4-4-1), who defeated Port Huron on Wednesday, host the Tomahawks (6-4-1) for a pair of games this weekend. Johnstown is 5-1 in their last six games and have seen a resurgence since acquiring new forward Omar Mullan. The Warriors leading scorer is defenseman Josh Shellman.

 

Soo Eagles vs. Springfield Jr. Blues – It is the home-opening weekend for the Springfield Jr. Blues (4-3-1) as they host the Soo Eagles (3-3-3). Besides the NAHL Showcase, this is Soo’s first roadtrip of the season. The Eagles offense is only averaging two goals per game and the team’s are tied in the standings with nine points apiece.

 

Off: Janesville Jets

 

Topeka RoadRunners vs. Amarillo Bulls – An old rivalry is renewed this weekend as the RoadRunners (6-3-2) travel to Amarillo to take on the Bulls (5-2-1). Topeka is on a bit of a skid having only one once in their last five games, while the Bulls are back on track after a slow start, having won their last four games. Since Amarillo came into the league in 2010, either them or the RoadRunners have finished 1-2 in the South Division the past three years.

 

Lone Star Brahmas vs. Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees – The Killer Bees (4-3-3) start a stretch of five games in the next eight days as they host the Lone Star Brahmas (2-7-1) for a pair of games in the first ever meeting between the two clubs. Rio Grande Valley is coming off a sweep in Odessa, while the Brahmas earned a weekend split in Topeka. 

 

Odessa Jackalopes vs. Wichita Falls Wildcats – During Pink in the Rink weekend in Wichita Falls, the Jackalopes (2-9) arrive trying to snap a four-game losing streak against the Wildcats (6-2-2). Wichita Falls sits atop of the South Division despite dropping both games last weekend at home to Amarillo. Goalie Chase Munroe is tied for the NAHL shutout lead with two.

 

Wenatchee Wild vs. Port Huron Fighting Falcons – In one of the more intriguing match-ups of the weekend, the Wild (5-3) come to Port Huron fresh off a weekend home sweep of Minot. The Fighting Falcons (7-2-2) are in 1st place and lost just their second game in regulation this season on Wednesday to the Michigan Warriors. Port Huron dman Alex Archibald is 2nd in team scoring.

 

Corpus Christi IceRays vs. Kenai River Brown Bears – After splitting up in Fairbanks last weekend, the IceRays (4-5-1) look to continue their recent success in Alaska with a two-game set against Kenai River (7-3), who are 7-1 in their last eight games. Kenai’s Alec Butcher leads the NAHL in points with 14 and Corpus Christi goalie Ben Myers was recently named South Division Player of the Week.