NAHL 2021-2022 Thread

[JMCx4]

From: The Chippewa (WI) Herald > Sports > Local

NAHL: 'Less is more' for surging, sizable Chippewa goaltender Kochendorfer

Brandon Berg
Jan 12, 2022

The goaltender is always in the spotlight.

With first-year Chippewa Steel netminder Croix Kochendorfer, that light might need to be a bit bigger.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds, Kochendorfer is the largest player on the Steel roster and in recent weeks has settled in as a steady presence in net for the Steel as the team hits the second half.

Kochendorfer has allowed two goals or fewer in six of his last seven appearances and posted his first North American Hockey League shutout last Saturday night as he stopped all 31 shots faced in a 3-0 Steel victory at the Minnesota Wilderness. It took some time for Kochendorfer to settle into the groove of playing junior hockey, but the Saint Paul native has rounded into form as the Steel begin their playoff push.

“I’m definitely grateful for my size,” Kochendorfer said. “That’s sort of a given, and you’ve just got to work hard.” ...


Read more at: NAHL: 'Less is more' for surging, sizable Chippewa goaltender Kochendorfer

 

[JMCx4]

A look at some NAHL action, as their 60-game season is past the halfway mark ...

 

[JMCx4]

Stars of tbe Week Part 1 ...

 

[JMCx4]

And Stars of tbe Week Parties of the 2nd Part ...

 

[JMCx4]

From: The North American Hockey League > News > Top Stories

NAHL Weekend Preview
JANUARY 21, 2022 ...

It is a jam-packed weekend in the NAHL with 28 of the 29 teams in action as 28 games are on the schedule from Friday through Sunday. ...

This weekend in the Central Division, valuable points are on the line as the 1st place Austin Bruins host the 3rd place Aberdeen Wings with just five points separating the teams. The St. Cloud Norsemen look to track down a playoff spot as they are in Minot to take on the Minotauros. Finally in Bismarck, the Bobcats will look to keep their winning ways going as they host the North Iowa Bulls, who are holding down the 4th and final playoff spot.

In the East, the 1st place New Jersey Titans will host the Northeast Generals, who are in a tie for the 4th and final playoff spot with the Jamestown Rebels. The Rebels are also in action as they host the 2nd place Maryland Black Bears. The Maine Nordiques will be looking to snap a four-game slide as they host the Johnstown Tomahawks for two games.

In the Midwest, two teams look to extend lengthy winning streaks as the Janesville Jets look to continue their five-game winning streak with three games in Kenai River. The Springfield Jr. Blues have won four straight and will host the Chippewa Steel for two games. In other action, the Minnesota Magicians and Minnesota Wilderness battle in a home-and-home series for the second straight weekend. In the final series, Anchorage returns to action, making the trip North to face the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

In the South, the Lone Star Brahmas are 8-2-0 in their last 10 and will look for a series sweep against Amarillo on Friday after a 5-0 win on Thursday. In other action, the 1st place New Mexico Ice Wolves host the Shreveport Mudbugs. Odessa will look to snap their three-game slide with a series in Wichita Falls. The Corpus Christi IceRays are in El Paso to take on the Rhinos with both teams needing points to get out of the bottom of the South standings. ...

Click here for updated scores ...


Read more at: NAHL Weekend Preview

 

[JMCx4]

From: The Bismark (ND) Tribune > Sports

Rudrud finds groove for Bobcats in final season of junior hockey

DAVE SELVIG
Jan 20, 2022

Quinn Rudrud is used to the ebbs and flows of junior hockey.

The Farmington, Minn., product started in the USHL with the Waterloo (Iowa) Black Hawks, but it’s in Bismarck where he found a home.

The Bobcats’ leading goal scorer with 12, the 20-year-old Rudrud is trying soak it all up in his final season.

“There’s definitely a lot of ups and downs, but the more you go through it and the more you learn, the more comfortable you get with everything,” he said. “You go through tough times where you might question yourself or what you’re doing, but in the end it makes you better both as a hockey player and as a person.” ...


Read more at: Rudrud finds groove for Bobcats in final season of junior hockey

 

[JMCx4]

 

[JMCx4]

January NAHL scores are in the books, and February play begins on Friday. So here are snapshots (with an occasional wrister) of where the teams stack up in their Divisional post-season playoff positioning ...

A few observations/opinions/hopes & dreams from one fan's perspective:

• Nobody has clinched a playoff spot yet, which means there are no runaway Division leaders, which means all teams (and their fans) still have hope for bonus hockey.
• The four Division leaders (Austin, New Jersey, Fairbanks, and New Mexico) have held on to those spots since my Jan. 10th check-in. So the cream that rose to the top earlier doesn't seem to have curdled.
• Unfortunately the bottom dwellers (Bismarck, Danbury, Kenai River, and El Paso) have also retained their Division spots, so those teams are running outta time for even a slim chance at a #4 spot come April 17 (end of the regular season).
• More unfortunately (for me), I had to cancel plans for me 'n' Mrs. JMC to attend the three-game weekend in Springfield this month, Jr. Blues hosting the Anchorage Wolverines. But hope springs eternal with Springfield continuing to compete for the top spot in the Midwest, meaning we could have an opportunity to drive up for a playoff pair when weather AND pandemic conditions might be more conducive to road trip enjoyment.

 

[JMCx4]

 

[JMCx4]

From: The St. Cloud Norsemen > News

FIRST PLACE! NORSEMEN TAKE DOWN BRUINS WITH OVERTIME VICTORY

February 13, 2022

St. Cloud, Minn. — The Norsemen are winners of 10 games in a row and no win in that span was bigger than Saturday’s 4-3 overtime victory to complete the sweep of Austin and trade places with the Bruins, to take sole possession of first place in the North American Hockey League Central Division. ...

Goaltender Tomas Bolo got the home victory on Saturday, his 8th in the last ten games. Ethan Dahlmeir backstopped Friday’s road win, his second in a row.

St. Cloud (25-13-0-1) is in first place in the NAHL Central Division with 51 points and the division’s best win percentage, with several games in hand over the field. ...


Read more at: FIRST PLACE! NORSEMEN TAKE DOWN BRUINS WITH OVERTIME VICTORY

 

[JMCx4]

From: KSTM-TV9

A hockey life: Rhinos players skating towards highest level of competition

by: Andy Morgan ...
Posted: Feb 13, 2022 / 09:43 PM MST
Updated: Feb 13, 2022 / 10:25 PM MST

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The road to the National Hockey League (NHL) or even the Winter Olympics for a junior hockey player isn’t the path most amateur athletes take. It’s typically a longer, more grueling process, which is playing out in El Paso for Rhinos players in the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

In most sports, the journey to the pros is as follows: little league, high school, college, and professional. However, the majority of junior hockey players in the NAHL are 16 to 20-years old. Most will go on to earn Division I scholarships, sometimes two or even three years after graduating high school.

“I want to go to the NCAA. I want to get a DI scholarship, so that’s what I’m working on right now,” said Rhinos forward Nathan Gagne, who is from Quebec. “I left home at 15 years-old, and I’m 19 now. I haven’t gotten a birthday at home since I was 15.”

The Rhinos’ roster consists of players from all over the world. From Canada, to Great Britain, Lativa and across the United States, 30 players have made their way to El Paso to get their skates in the door, a place where, coincidentally, ice is hard to come by.

“Growing up in Minnesota, all it is is hockey. I always thought I would stay there and play juniors or somewhere in the Midwest,” said Rhinos forward Graham Harris. “I never thought it would be in Texas.” ...

With the majority of their roster consisting of teenagers, the players need a place to live while they are in El Paso. That’s where host families come in, referred to as, “billets.”

“They’re a member of our house, they live and sleep here, and we feed them,” said Bryan Morris, the host family for Harris and (Jordan) Zelenak. “But they’re more than that. They’re part of our family,” said Bryan’s wife Sherri Morris. “I think one of the primary billet responsibilities is to support these players, and make sure they have a great experience in El Paso.” ...


Read more at: A hockey life: Rhinos players skating towards highest level of competition | KTSM 9 News

 

[JMCx4]

Short month, February is. Here's where the NAHL divisional races stand ...

Some late-in-the-month musings ...

• The Central Division continues to keep the best balance among the divisions, though having just 6 teams probably skews the spread some (that & the cold winters). St. Cloud went on a tear since January ended, winning 9 of their last 10 to surge past Austin who have gone the opposite direction. A 5-point lead for the Norsemen must seem like a dream to the club & their fans, but their team stats look legit.
• New Jersey also has a 5-point lead in the East, but Johnstown is keeping pace. If Maryland can start on a streak soon, they can make that Division race even more interesting. The Titans could stand to stay outta the box if they want to continue winning at their current rate.
• The Midwest Division remains a two-team race between Fairbanks & Springfield. I remain inclined to root for the Jr. Blues, as Alaska is a long way away from me.
• IMO, New Mexico is the biggest surprise this season. But the Brahmas are just 3 points back with a game in hand, so the Wolves need to keep their skate boots on the gas in the South.

 

[JMCx4]

With stick taps to @mk80 - and condolences to Warriors fans ...

 

[JMCx4]

Just 2-1/2 weeks left in the NAHL 2021-22 season, with two best-of-5 Divisional Playoff rounds to follow leading to the Robertson Cup National Championship in Blaine, MN. The South Division playoff foursome has been determined, but the other three divisions have slots still available. See the current standings below. It's Crunch Time ...

 

[JMCx4]

Just one more game left to complete the 2022 NAHL regular season, Bismarck visiting Minot tonight with the Bobcats holding a one standings point lead in the race for the final playoff spot in the Central Division (as well as in the League). Hockey drama.

ETA: Or not so much drama. The Bismarck Bobcats earn the final NAHL playoff spot with a 5-1 victory @ Minot.

 

[JMCx4]

OK, so, the field (or rink) of 16 are set for the 2022 Robertson Cup playoffs. Here are the final regular season standings, with the best-of-5 Division Semifinals round starting later this week in traditional #1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3 matchups ...

 

[JMCx4]

From: Shreveport-Bossier Journal > Sports > Other

Bugs Beat: Shreveport tops in NAHL attendance

Megan Lowe
23 hours ago (18 April 2022)

Shreveport, even from within, has taken its fair share of criticism about its ability to be a “sports town.” The area has seen multiple levels of professional baseball and football franchises either fold or leave town and soccer has failed. Pro hoops was run out of town — and since returned — despite winning championships, and the cost of professional hockey caused that sport to go dark for a few years.

Fan support hasn’t been an issue for the Shreveport Mudbugs, even in the days before their break following a 2011 Central Hockey League Presidents Cup championship. ...

Saturday, 3,189 fans watched the Mudbugs cap the 2021-22 regular season on George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum with a 5-0 victory. Shreveport finished the season with an average attendance of 2,275 and led the NAHL for the fourth-straight season.

Pack the Pond

Season, average attendance (NAHL rank)

2021-22, 2,275 (Leader)

2020-21, 1,580 (Leader)

2019-20, 2,575 (Leader)

2018-19, 2,830 (Leader)

2017-18, 2,925 (2nd)

2016-17, 2,850 (2nd) ...


Read more at:

Bugs Beat: Shreveport tops in NAHL attendance

By ROY LANG III, Journal Sports Shreveport, even from within, has taken its fair share of criticism about its ability to be a “sports town.” The area has seen multiple levels of professional baseba…

shreveportbossierjournal.com

 

[JMCx4]

From: The St. Cloud Norsemen > News

RECORD-SETTING 2021-22 REGULAR SEASON, PLAYOFFS NEXT!

April 18, 2022

The St. Cloud Norsemen set a new franchise single-season wins record with its 41st victory of the season, a 7-0 shutout of the North Iowa Bulls to close the regular season on Saturday at the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex.

The 41 wins are tied for the most in the North American Hockey League, along with the East Division champion New Jersey Titans. Both the Norsemen and Titans finished with 85 points, but the South Division champion Lone Star Brahmas claimed the league regular season title with 86 points (38-12-5-5). The Norsemen have lost just two games in regulation since January 15. St. Cloud is tied for the most home wins in the NAHL this season with 22.

The NAHL Central Division regular season title and franchise wins record comes in just the second season for head coach Corey Millen in St. Cloud. This is the eighteenth year the franchise has been in the NAHL and third in St. Cloud. ...


Read more at:

RECORD-SETTING 2021-22 REGULAR SEASON, PLAYOFFS NEXT!

www.stcloudnorsemen.com

 

[JMCx4]

The 2022 NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs Round 1 (Division Semifinals - Best-of-5) starts on Thursday 4/21 in Springfield, with the other 7 series beginning on Friday 4/22. All games will be streamed on HockeyTV.com. Individual home team websites can be checked for alternative broadcast/webcast/audiocast options.

ETA: Official League Announcement

Scheduling Oddity: It looks like the Midwest Division teams learned their COVID lessons & have scheduled an extra Round 1 game date just in case.

ETAx2: See scheduled edits below per League Announcement above. Mystery solved.

MIDWEST DIVISION: #4 Minnesota Wilderness vs. #1 Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Fri. Apr 22, 2022 - 7:30 PM ADT
MNW @ FAI

Sat. Apr 23, 2022 - 7:30 PM ADT
MNW @ FAI

Game 3: If Fairbanks is up 2-0, Friday, April 29 @ Wilderness, 7:15 PM CDT

Game 3: If series is tied 1-1 or Wilderness are up 2-0, Sunday, April 24 @ Fairbanks, 5:00 PM ADT

Game 4: April 29 or 30 @ Wilderness, 7:15 PM CDT*

Game 5: April 30 or May 1 @ Wilderness, 7:15 PM or 5:00 PM CDT*

Sun. Apr 24, 2022 - 5:00 PM ADT
MNW @ FAI

Fri. Apr 29, 2022 - 7:15 PM CDT
FAI @ MNW

Sat. Apr 30, 2022 - 7:15 PM CDT
FAI @ MNW

Sun. May 01, 2022 - 5:00 PM CDT
FAI @ MNW


MIDWEST DIVISION: #3 Anchorage Wolverines vs. #2 Springfield Jr. Blues

Thu. Apr 21, 2022 - 7:05 PM CDT
ANC @ SPR

Fri. Apr 22, 2022 - 7:05 PM CDT
ANC @ SPR

Game 3: If Springfield is up 2-0, Friday, April 29 @ Anchorage, 7:00 PM ADT

Game 3: If series is tied 1-1 or Anchorage is up 2-0, Sunday, April 24 @ Springfield, 7:05 PM CDT

Game 4: April 29 or 30 @ Anchorage, 7:00 PM ADT*

Game 5: April 30 or May 1 @ Anchorage, 7:00 PM ADT*

Sun. Apr 24, 2022 - 7:05 PM CDT
ANC @ SPR

Fri. Apr 29, 2022 - 7:00 PM ADT
SPR @ ANC

Sat. Apr 30, 2022 - 7:00 PM ADT
SPR @ ANC

Sun. May 01, 2022 - 7:00 PM ADT
SPR @ ANC


SOUTH DIVISION: #4 Shreveport Mudbugs vs. #1 Lone Star Brahmas

Fri. Apr 22, 2022 - 7:30 PM CDT
SHV @ LOS

Sat. Apr 23, 2022 - 7:30 PM CDT
SHV @ LOS

Fri. Apr 29, 2022 - 7:11 PM CDT
LOS @ SHV

Sat. Apr 30, 2022 - 7:11 PM CDT*
LOS @ SHV

Mon. May 02, 2022 - 7:00 PM CDT*
SHV @ LOS


SOUTH DIVISION: #3 Wichita Falls Warriors vs. #2 New Mexico Ice Wolves

Fri. Apr 22, 2022 - 6:30 PM MDT
WFW @ NMO

Sat. Apr 23, 2022 - 6:30 PM MDT
WFW @ NMO

Fri. Apr 29, 2022 - 7:15 PM CDT
NMO @ WFW

Sat. Apr 30, 2022 - 7:15 PM CDT*
NMO @ WFW

Mon. May 02, 2022 - 6:30 PM MDT*
WFW @ NMO


EAST DIVISION: #4 Northeast Generals vs. #1 New Jersey Titans

Fri. Apr 22, 2022 - 7:30 PM EDT
NTE @ NJT

Sat. Apr 23, 2022 - 7:00 PM EDT
NTE @ NJT

Fri. Apr 29, 2022 - 7:00 PM EDT
NJT @ NTE

Sat. Apr 30, 2022 - 7:00 PM EDT*
NJT @ NTE

Sun. May 01, 2022 - 7:00 PM EDT*
NTE @ NJT


EAST DIVISION: #3 Jamestown Rebels vs. #2 Johnstown Tomahawks

Fri. Apr 22, 2022 - 7:30 PM EDT
JMT @ JHT

Sat. Apr 23, 2022 - 7:00 PM EDT
JMT @ JHT

Thu. Apr 28, 2022 - 7:00 PM EDT
JHT @ JMT

Sat. Apr 30, 2022 - 7:00 PM EDT*
JHT @ JMT

Sun. May 01, 2022 - 6:00 PM EDT*
JMT @ JHT


CENTRAL DIVISION: #4 Bismarck Bobcats vs. #1 St. Cloud Norsemen

Fri. Apr 22, 2022 - 7:00 PM CDT
BIS @ STN

Sat. Apr 23, 2022 - 7:00 PM CDT
BIS @ STN

Fri. Apr 29, 2022 - 7:15 PM CDT
STN @ BIS

Sat. Apr 30, 2022 - 7:15 PM CDT*
STN @ BIS

Mon. May 02, 2022 – 6:30 PM CDT*
BIS @ STN


CENTRAL DIVISION: #3 Aberdeen Wings vs. #2 Austin Bruins

Fri. Apr 22, 2022 - 7:05 PM CDT
ABD @ AUS

Sat. Apr 23, 2022 - 7:05 PM CDT
ABD @ AUS

Fri. Apr 29, 2022 - 7:15 PM CDT
AUS @ ABD

Sat. Apr 30, 2022 - 7:15 PM CDT*
AUS @ ABD

Mon. May 02, 2022 - 7:35 PM CDT*
ABD @ AUS

* if necessary​

 

[JMCx4]

A few minutes late, but here's a first round series preview of Anchorage @ Springfield.

ETA: And the League's NA Today feature offers quick previews of every divisional semifinals matchup

 

[JMCx4]

The Springfield Jr. Blues scored with just 19 seconds left in regulation of Game #3 of their Midwest Division semifinals series against the 1st-year Anchorage Wolverines on Sunday night, taking the potential elimination game to overtime with a 3-3 score. But the Wolverines persisted & finally scored the game & series winner with about 7 minutes left in OT1, and the Jr. Blues became the first NAHL Robertson Cup playoffs casualty for 2022 in a 3-game sweep by the visiting Wolverines.

That first round playoff series and all the rest have been followed & recorded & reported & highlighted on the League’s ♡ Appreciate-worthy Playoff Hub web page ...

Central Division Semifinals

#4 Bismarck Bobcats vs #1 St. Cloud Norsemen

Game 1 - St. Cloud 4 Bismarck 1 (STC leads 1-0)

Game 2 - Bismarck 2 St. Cloud 1 F/2OT (Series Tied 1-1)

Game 3 - Fri. April 29 - St. Cloud @ Bismarck - 7:15pm (CDT)

Game 4 - Sat. April 30 - St. Cloud @ Bismarck - 7:15pm (CDT) …

#3 Aberdeen Wings vs #2 Austin Bruins​

Game 1 - Aberdeen 4 Austin 2 (ABD leads 1-0)

Game 2 - Aberdeen 3 Austin 2 (ABD leads 2-0)

Game 3 - Fri. April 29 - Austin @ Aberdeen - 7:15pm (CDT) …

East Division Semifinals​

#4 Northeast Generals vs #1 New Jersey Titans​

Game 1 - Northeast 4 New Jersey 1 (NEG leads 1-0)

Game 2 - New Jersey 6 Northeast 2 (Series Tied 1-1)

Game 3 - Fri. April 29 - New Jersey @ Northeast - 7:00pm (EDT)

Game 4 - Sat. April 30 - New Jersey @ Northeast - 7:00pm (EDT) …

#3 Jamestown Rebels vs #2 Johnstown Tomahawks​

Game 1 - Jamestown 2 Johnstown 1 F/2OT (JAM leads 1-0)

Game 2 - Johnstown 3 Jamestown 1 (Series Tied 1-1)

Game 3 - Thu. April 28 - Johnstown @ Jamestown - 7:00pm (EDT)

Game 4 - Sat. April 30 - Johnstown @ Jamestown - 7:00pm (EDT) …

Midwest Division Semifinals​

#4 Minnesota Wilderness vs #1 Fairbanks Ice Dogs​

Game 1 - Fairbanks 3 Minnesota 2 F/OT (FAI leads 1-0)

Game 2 - Fairbanks 7 Minnesota 1 (FAI leads 2-0)

Game 3 - Fri. April 29 - Fairbanks @ Minnesota - 7:15pm (CDT) …

#3 Anchorage Wolverines vs #2 Springfield Jr. Blues​

Game 1 - Anchorage 2 Springfield 1 (ANC leads 1-0)

Game 2 - Anchorage 2 Springfield 1 (ANC leads 2-0)

Game 3 - Anchorage 4 Springfield 3 F/OT (ANC wins series 3-0)

South Division Semifinals​

#4 Shreveport Mudbugs vs #1 Lone Star Brahmas​

Game 1 - Lone Star 1 Shreveport 0 (LSB leads 1-0)

Game 2 - Lone Star 3 Shreveport 2 (LSB leads 2-0)

Game 3 - Fri. April 29 - Lone Star @ Shreveport - 7:11pm (CDT) …

#3 Wichita Falls Warriors vs #2 New Mexico Ice Wolves​

Game 1 - Wichita Falls 4 New Mexico 3 (WFS leads 1-0)

Game 2 - New Mexico 2 Wichita Falls 1 (Series Tied 1-1)

Game 3 - Fri. April 29 - New Mexico @ Wichita Falls - 7:15pm (CDT)

Game 4 - Sat. April 30 - New Mexico @ Wichita Falls - 7:15pm (CDT) …

 

[JMCx4]

 

[JMCx4]

Popular final score for the underdogs on Friday night ...

 

[JMCx4]

Aberdeen Wings have moved on to the Central Division Finals ... Lights out: Wings sweep Austin in semifinal round

 

[JMCx4]

KTAL-TV5: Mudbugs eliminated from playoffs with overtime loss to Lone Star