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The North American Hockey League has
another full slate of games scheduled for this weekend. A number of questions
should be answered over the next few weeks with the Amarillo-Topeka double
series but there are other games to watch as well. Bismarck at Wenatcheee,
Corpus Christi and their new goalie from the USHL at Kenai River, Port Huron at
Kalamazoo, and Springfield at Johnstown highlight the weekend schedule.
#7 Brookings Blizzard at #21 Aberdeen
Wings
Remember this from Monday? The Wings have lost the last three while trying to get
through the team imposed player suspensions. Brookings comes to town this
weekend and I see the losing streak coming to an end. Aberdeen did exactly that last
night with a 3-2 victory last night. The Wings played well in front of a decent
Thursday night home crowd. The two teams go it at again tonight. Could the
Wings send the Blizzard one without a point? It's a serious possibility.
#2 Topeka RoadRunners at #1 Amarillo
Bulls
When it comes to great junior hockey,
it does not get much better than a RoadRunners-Bulls battle. The fact that we
get to see it two weekends in a roll... fantastic. I think that the Bulls have an
advantage this weekend with Topeka making some coaching changes combined with
the difficulty to get road wins in Amarillo.
#4 Austin Bruins at #22 Coulee Region
Chill
By all indications, the Bruins should
have a very successful roadie to the Coulee Region and extend the Chill's cold
streak to nine games.
#24 Michigan Warriors at #8 Jamestown
Ironmen
I am a big Moe Mantha fan and was very
impressed with the Warriors win at Port Huron on their last road-trip. Can the Warriors do
that again this weekend? I think so.
#9 Soo Eagles at #14 Janesville Jets
The Jets were grounded in Springfield
last weekend and the Eagles have every intention of keeping the flyboys out of
the air.
#15 Bismarck Bobcats at #3 Wenatchee
Wild
Were the Wild embarrassed last weekend
by Minot? I think so and the Bobcats are going to be paying for it.
#19 Wichita Falls Wildcats at #6
Fairbanks IceDogs
Paul Baxter is one of the most
respected coaches in the league but that is not going to help him this weekend
in Fairbanks.
#16 Corpus Christi IceRays at #10
Kenai River Brown Bears
Remember this goaltender's name,
Hayden Stewart. The 1994 prospect from Illinois has no business on a NAHL team.
After being unable to get on track with Muskegeon, Stewart finds himself in
Alaska with the IceRays. That's not good news for the Brownies and I am
thinking that the new goalie is going to be frustrating Kenai River all
weekend.
#20 Odessa Jackalopes at #5 Texas
Tornado
Do we really have to watch this?
Curtale rarely loses games that he is supposed to win unless the guy on the
other bench is Paul Baxter. Sorry Jackalopes, no relief this weekend.
#23 Minot Minotauros at #18 Fresno
Monsters
Do we have to watch this part 2? Minot
goaltender Tyler Parks is the real deal and will be playing Division I college
hockey. His performance in Wenatchee was outstanding and I see that trend
continuing this weekend in California.
#17 Springfield Blues at #11 Johnstown
Tomahawks
The Blues present a number of problems
for the Tomahawks but I have to believe that Johnstown will be able to take
care of business against the red-hot Blues.
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Stephen Heisler resides in Puerto Penasco, Mexico with his wife,
Maria, and their two children, Sonia and Tomas. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHeisler for up to minute updates from the world of junior
hockey.
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