| Blizzard - Natives Series Preview | |
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 A very busy week continues for the Blizzard tonight but at least they are back on home ice. The Neepawa Natives are in for their final 2 visits of the regular season at the GLMC with the start time both nights at 7pm.A couple of wins for the Blizzard would even the season series between the 2 teams but more importantly would put them back ahead of the Winnipeg South Blues and pull them closer to the Natives for the 4th playoff spot in their own division. At 21-22-2-4, the Blizzard sit 7 points behind the Natives and 10 back of the Terriers. The consensus is the Blizzard would prefer to get into the playoffs in the Addison Division but I say let's just get to the playoffs no matter where they finish. Based on the latest poll on my blog, most people feel the same way. The Natives are 26-20-0-3 and are starting to play well more consistently than before. However they still seem to play really well one game and then take a night off as was the case at home to Selkirk the other night. The Natives are lead by Wes Pawluk who is the current player of the week in the MJHL and besides adding him, the Natives have really been bolstered by the additions of Caleb Suderman and John Lawrence to their lineup. The Natives have also been getting solid goaltending from their young tandem of Ryan Bembridge and Matt Krahn. Bembridge was very sharp in both games here in early January despite his team only splitting the 2 games. Tonight's game WILL BE on CJ 1240 starting with the Murray Dunn GM Pre-Game at 6:40. Offensive Woes The Blizzard have only scored 13 goals in 7 games this month and even though they are not a deep offensive team they still have guys that can score and they need to get going. The line of Geddes-Kimpinski-Constant are supposed to be the go-to line and they have not been yet. Eventually this trio has to start clicking and no better time to do it then now with 2 straight at home. On the flip side, 2 guys that have been really good are Jorden Iron and Curtis Brolund. They have both worked hard in 2010 and Iron especially looks like a whole new player. He is certainly showing the promise of being a top 6 forward next year. Brolund does what good 3rd liners do best and that is work very hard and chip in with the odd goal. Of the 4 goals Brolund has scored in Blizzard colors, 3 of them have been the opening goal in the game. Previous 10 The Natives are 7-3 in their previous 10. The Blizzard 3-6-0-1 in their past 10 which goes back to December. Season Series (The Natives lead 4-2) October 7th @ Neepawa - The teams were tied at 2 after 2 in a back and forth game but the Natives score 4 times in the 3rd to win 6-3. October 18th @ Neepawa - The Natives score 2 goals in every period to pound the Blizzard again 6-1. November 26th @ Neepawa - The Blizzard finally get the upper hand with period leads of 2-0 and 3-1 en route to a 5-2 triumph. Now former Blizzard Brock Friesen scores twice. November 27th @ Neepawa - The Blizzard grab a 2-0 lead early in the 3rd only to fall asleep and let the Natives roar back with 5 goals and take the game 5-2 marking the 2nd time on the season the Blizzard give up 5 goals in a 3rd period to lose a road game. January 8th @ OCN - A penalty-filled affair sees the Natives score 1 goal in each period, 2 of them shorthanded to win 3-0. Snow Lake product scores the winner at only 4:06 of the 1st. January 9th @ OCN - Dale Warkentin puts up 3 points and the Blizzard go 7/7 on the penalty kill as the Blizzard rebound to win 5-3. Garrett Barr gets the win and an assist as well. See ya at the rink! -Smalley- |
| Last Updated ( Sunday, 31 January 2010 03:51 ) |