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February 12, 2008
“We've been playing some exciting hockey over the past few weeks, a lot of close games where we seem to be playing even with teams and pulling them out in the end,” said Ice Hawks coach Nick Fatis. “Some people say good teams win those games, but I think we’re leaving some in the tank and that can be a concern.” The Ice Hawks put three wins on the board last week, starting with a 12-3 triumph over the St. Paul Lakers on Wednesday. Chris Thompson and Kevin Anger both rang up hat tricks in the victory, while goaltender Ricky Doyen stopped 37 shots. The Ice Hawks skated to a 6-2 decision over the Minnesota Owls on Friday. Six different players scored for the Ice Hawks, with Kevin Nolt recording the game-winner. In goal, Mike Brach turned aside 25 shots. Down 3-0 in the third period, the Ice Hawks rallied for a 4-3, overtime victory over the Twin Cities Northern Lights on Saturday. Thompson notched the game-tying goal and the game-winner in the extra session, with Ryan Goodmanson assisting on both. Between the pipes, Doyen made 23 saves. Mike Bock recorded a goal and an assist for the Lights. “Teams in this league are too good to let down on, just look around the league,” said Fatis. “So I’m a little nervous about that, but the boys understand the need to play every shift like it's the last minute of the game. It's coming slowly, but it's coming. In a league this good, you can't take a day off, that's for sure.” Thompson continues to impress upfront, as does Nolt and Jason Rein. “And what more can you say about Bungee (Goodmanson, the league’s leading scorer)?” said Fatis The defensive corps, in particular Bryce Wilcox and Bryce Stevens, is hitting its stride, according to Fatis, with both goaltenders – Brach and Doyen standing tall in net. “Colleges have been knocking on the doors of quite a few of our players, and these guys will have some choices over the next few months,” said Fatis. “Right now, I think most guys are focused on our team goals more than personal goals, but the college situations are getting clearer.” The Owls did rattle off two wins last weekend, including a 6-1 victory over the Minnesota Flying Aces on Saturday. Dan Liedl struck for two goals for the Owls, with Justin Neis scoring the game-winner. In goal, Phil Poeschel and Jack Duffy combined to make 31 saves. Tony Schultz scored the Aces’ lone goal. The next day, Neis tallied two more goals, including the game-winner, as the Owls downed the Lakers, 5-4. Zach Wohlers added a goal and an assist, while Duffy steered aside 28 shots. For the Lakers, Toms Tilla and Gino Villella each tallied a goal and an assist. The Wisconsin Mustangs opened their three-game weekend with a 7-1 win over the Granite City Lumberjacks on Friday. Jake Calleja (game-winner) and Jake Olson connected for two goals in the win, while netminder Brian Dalbec stopped 18 shots. Sean Kelly scored the Lumberjacks’ only goal. The next night, the Lumberjacks bested the Mustangs, 4-3. Kelly scored two more goals and an assist for Granite City, while goaltender Tyler Venne turned aside 43 shots. Steve Mlodozyniec netted two goals for the Mustangs. On Sunday, four different Mustangs scored as Wisconsin downed the Hudson Crusaders, 4-1. Ben Smoot scored the game-winning goal, while goaltender Spike Alvarez made 38 saves. Reed Zweber connected for the lone Crusaders tally. The Flying Aces picked up two victories last weekend, starting with a 3-2 win over the Crusaders on Friday. Schultz tallied two goals, including the game-winner, while netminder Randy Johnson made 37 saves. Liebsch and Jake Pumper scored for Hudson. Tim Benner celebrated a hat trick as the Aces downed the Northern Lights on Sunday, 8-1. Rick Nawojski notched two goals in the victory, while Johnson and Aaron Carter combined to stop 37 shots. Tony Salizar scored for the Lights. |
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