September 28, 2004

There was no shortage of power in Twin Cities Northern Lights camp last weekend, as the Minnesota Junior Hockey League club pumped home 17 goals – four from big Mike Turbitt – on their way to two wins on the weekend.

Twin Cities’ offensive clinic started on Friday in Spooner, Wis., where they disposed of the Wisconsin Mustangs, 7-2. Balanced scoring prevailed, as seven different Lights lit the lamp. Turbitt, an 18-year-old from Blaine, Minn., had a goal and an assist, as did Ted Urschel, Jared Martz, Jason Wong and Brandt Keller. David Winn stopped 34 shots in goal to earn the win. Jake Ross scored both goals for Wisconsin.

The Northern Lights kept the goals coming the next day, as they trumped the St. Paul Lakers, 10-4, behind a full-house performance (hat trick, two assists) from the 6-foot-2, 228-pound Turbitt. Keller also added two goals. Between the pipes, Andy Kent stopped 30 shots. For the Lakers, Craig Manthey tallied two goals in defeat.

The Minnesota Ice Hawks also celebrated an undefeated weekend with two wins over the Twin Bridges Lightning. On Saturday, goaltender Joey Spracken turned aside 17 shots en route to a 4-0 shutout victory. Four different players scored for Minnesota (Joey’s brother, Chris, notched a goal and two assists). There was no faulting TB netminder Brent Pitts; he turned aside 51 shots in defeat.

The next day, the Ice Hawks unloaded on the Lightning, 10-1. Chris Spracken put home two more goals, while Kyle Loving contributed with a goal and three helpers. In net, Brent Gilbrtith made 17 saves for Minnesota.

The Minnesota Owls picked up their first win of the season with a 7-5 win over the Dubuque ThunderBirds on the backend of a two-game set at Five Flags. Jeremy Ziac scored the Owls’ first two goals, while Trevor Graham pitched in with a goal and an assist. Aaron Baumgartner made 19 saves in the victory. Craig Dakins scored two goals in the loss for the T-Birds.

The night prior, the T-Birds took care of the Owls, 6-2, behind a two-goal performance from Blaine Gamst. Ryan Evenson added a goal and an assist. In goal, Ryan Miech stopped 29 shots. The Owls got goals from Graham and Dominic Morris.

St. Paul picked up a win on Friday; a 7-0 blanking of the Mustangs. Peter Gavinski starred between the posts, stopping all 43 shots to earn the shutout. Offensively, A.J. Kuuttila recorded a hat trick, while Joe Lochner scored a goal and two assists.