T-Bones end RedHawks season
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks were eliminated from the Northern League postseason Friday at Newman Outdoor Field, falling 11-5 to the Kansas City T-Bones. Kansas City completed a sweep of the best-of-5 semifinal series.
F-M right fielder Steve Mortimer cracked a solo home run in the sixth inning to get his team on the scoreboard after the T-Bones had built a 10-0 lead. The RedHawks rallied for four runs in the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough.
"I understand the big picture," RedHawks manager Doug Simunic said. "I know the team with the best record doesn't always win."
Kansas City first baseman Ken Harvey cracked two home runs through the first four innings, including a two-run blast that capped a four-run fourth inning and gave the T-Bones a 7-0 lead.
The RedHawks entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, posting a 62-34 record in the regular season. The T-Bones were 46-50 in the regular season, earning the No. 4 seed.
F-M loaded the bases in both the first and third innings, but were unable to plate a run in each instance.
Posted by: Peterson on 9/05/2008 at 8:34 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Separate, but equal
The Forum's preps blogs have grown up, and they've decided to move out on their own.
Starting, well, now, the North Dakota and Minnesota prep blogs will be separate, with each state getting its own little spot in areavoices.com's corner of the blogosphere.
Here is a the new web address for the Minnesota side: www.areavoices.com/mnpreps.
Also, here is a link to Collins' Fargo Force blog: www.areavoices.com/force.
You can all promptly add them to your favorites, and move them to the top of the list.
I'll update this post with the appropriate link as soon as the N.D. preps blog is up and running.
Posted by: Collins on 7/31/2008 at 8:31 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Cotton ties Northern League career saves record
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks closer Nate Cotton tied the Northern League career saves record Tuesday night (July 29) as the RedHawks earned a 10-8 victory at Kansas City, the completion of a suspended game. Cotton has 18 saves this season (which leads the league) and 68 in his career, playing with the RedHawks and the Schaumburg Flyers.
Cotton could break the mark tonight as the RedHawks play the regularly scheduled game after the end of the make-up game.
Former Albany-Colonie, New Jersey and St. Paul closer Chris Chavez also has 68 career saves.
Cotton played with Schaumburg in 2005 and 2006. He's played with the RedHawks the last two seasons. He had 11 saves in 2005, 17 in 2006, 22 in 2007 to go with his 18 this season.
Posted by: Peterson on 7/29/2008 at 7:58 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Congrats, Matt....I think
Matt Cullen has been a fan favorite everywhere he's been, but this might be a little ridiculous.
The former Moorhead hockey player and current Carolina Hurricane has made a top 10 list that would make even Bob Probert blush. Cullen has made a list of top 10 hottest players in the NHL -- and not only is he on the list, but he checks in at No. 1.
It's not your conventional list, but you have to see it to believe it. Check out the second list on this link.
Gotta love the blogosphere.
Posted by: Collins on 7/19/2008 at 1:53 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Salazar OK after scary collision
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks first baseman Ruben Salazar was back at Newman Outdoor Field on Friday, a day after was taken from the park in an ambulance. He was not in the lineup at the RedHawks started a three-game series against the Winnipeg Goldeyes.
Salazar was diagnosed with a concussion after colliding with RedHawks catcher Alan Rick as both attempted to catch a foul pop up for the final out in Thursday's 2-0 victory against Gary SouthShore.
"Man, I don't remember anything," Salazar said.
Salazar said his jaw, neck and back were still sore from the collision and he was also experiencing dizziness and headaches.
"The doctors said I'm able to play when I feel better," Salazar said.
Posted by: Peterson on 7/18/2008 at 7:58 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink
Lee getting a lot of attention
Former Moorhead and University of North Dakota standout Brian Lee is doing well at his second developmental camp with the Ottawa Senators. So well, in fact, that it looks like the Senators are going to give him the chance to prove why he was taken as a top-10 draft pick.
This story showed up on the Ottawa Sun's Web site, talking to Lee about the prospects of a his future in Ottawa without Wade Redden.
The team's Web site ran this feature about the ex-Spud, and how he's aiming at sticking with the NHL club all season.
The most interesting line in the story is from general manager Brian Murray, who said Lee is there to stay. Lee played a lot at the end of the season, and even got in some ice time in the playoffs, so all indications point to him to be a big part of the Senators' plans on the blueline this season.
Posted by: Collins on 6/30/2008 at 1:18 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Lee at development camp
Former Moorhead and University of North Dakota standout Brian Lee is one of 29 players at the Ottawa Senators' development camp for the next week.
If you're in Ottawa on Friday for some unknown reason, the 3-on-3 tournaments in the camp open to the public that day. Please don't head there just to watch this camp. That would be weird.
Lee played in six games for the Senators last year, nothcing an assist and four penalty minutes. All indications are that he'll play a much larger role in the Sens' plans for 2008-09, as he got some ice time in the playoffs as well.
Here's a story on the Senators' Web site. And don't be frightened, that's just Daniel Alfredsson in the upper right corner.
Posted by: Collins on 6/24/2008 at 4:51 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Moorhead's Foss gets drafted
Moorhead's Jeff Foss got a bit of a surprises on Saturday. The former Moorhead captain was taken in the sixth round of Saturday's NHL draft by the Nashville Predators. The defenseman was taken with the 166th overall pick.
Roseau star Aaron Ness went in the second round of the NHL draft, being taken by the New York Islanders with the 40th overall selection.
Brainerd's Drew Olson was taken in the fourth round by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Warriors defenseman was taken with 118th pick overall.
It's a pretty deep draft for defensemen, as 12 were picked in the first 30 picks of the opening round alone. Three were taken before Ness was selected at 40.
The 5-10, 157-pound Ness is headed to Minnesota to play his college hockey. He was the second Minnesota prep blueliner to go in the draft, as Minnetonka standout Jake Gardiner was picked 17th overall by Anaheim.
Posted by: Collins on 6/21/2008 at 9:43 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
North, South coaching jobs remain open
The Fargo North head girls basketball job and Fargo South head boys hockey job remain open. North athletic director Troy Cody said he expects to interview another candidate next week in hopes of filling the vacancy. South athletic director Cory Lehman said there will be 3-5 candidates interviewed for the Bruins hockey opening next week.
The North head girls job has already been turned down twice, including former longtime North Dakota State women's basketball assistant Kelli Layman. Cody said Spartans boys assistant Derek Ouren is running the girls summer program until a new head coach is hired.
"We're not in a position that we need to rush into anything," Cody said.
Posted by: Peterson on 6/18/2008 at 3:42 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink
Roesler, Hermanson video
Here is video of Fargo South's Laura Roesler and North Dakota State's Laura Hermanson running the 800 meters at the Jim Bush Invitational track meet earlier this month.
Both Roesler and Hermanson both ran times that virtually locked them into spots for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for track and field. The Trials are scheduled for June 27-July 6 in Eugene, Oregon. Roesler, who finished third in the race, is wearing the pink top. Hermanson, who finished fourth, is wearing the dark green top.
Roesler finished the race in 2 minutes, 3.08 seconds. Hermanson ran a 2:03.76 to set an NDSU school record.
Posted by: Peterson on 6/17/2008 at 2:28 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink