NAHL Weekend Preview

November 5, 2021

The first weekend in November has arrived and with it, the busiest weekend of the year to date in the NAHL with 28 games on the schedule.

It was another good week for the league, which saw three more players make NCAA Division I commitments, bringing the 2021-22 season total to 115 players who have committed to play NCAA Division I hockey.

One of the things the NAHL does better than any other junior league is seeing their players earn an NCAA opportunity while playing and being showcased in the NAHL. During the 2020-21 season, a record number of 395 NAHL players made NCAA commitments, with 293 of those (74%) being a record number of NCAA Division I commitments.

In addition, another alumni, Jon Lizotte (Minot Minotauros, 2013-15) made his NHL debut this past week. Over 40+ NAHL alumni are currently playing in the NHL.

In the Central, the Austin Bruins have opened up a four-point lead as they look to continue their momentum in a home-and home series against the St. Cloud Norsemen. The Bismarck Bobcats make their first ever trip to Mason City to take on the North Iowa Bulls in a two-game set. The final series as the Aberdeen Wings in Minot for one more game on Saturday, as they look for the weekend sweep after beating Minot, 5-3 on Thursday.

In the East, Maryland and New Jersey have separated from the pack and are riding their hot play to the top two spots in the division. The Black Bears host Maine this weekend as the Nordiques are looking to shake a six-game losing streak. The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks enter their weekend in New Jersey on a three-game slide as they try and slow down the Titans. The final series features the Northeast Generals in Jamestown to take on the Rebels with the teams tied for 3^rd place in the standings. The Johnstown Tomahawks are the only NAHL team idle this weekend.

In the Midwest, a new rivalry begins with the Anchorage Wolverines making the small trip south to Soldotna, Alaska to take on the Brown Bears. The Fairbanks Ice Dogs continue their three-game set at home against Janesville after claiming the first game of the series on Thursday by a 5-2 score. The in-state rivalry between the Minnesota Magicians and Minnesota Wilderness resumes this weekend with a home-and-home series between the two clubs who are tied with 19 points in the standings. The final series features the 2^nd place Springfield Jr. Blues hosting the Chippewa Steel.

Finally in the South, the 2^nd place Amarillo Wranglers put their four-game winning streak on the line as they host Shreveport on Friday and Saturday and then travel to New Mexico on Sunday. The 3^rd place Ice Wolves host Corpus Christi on Friday and Saturday before taking on Amarillo on Sunday. The Wichita Falls Warriors are back home as they host the Lone Star Brahmas with the two clubs separated by a single point for the 4^th and final playoff spot. The final series has the 1^st place Odessa Jackalopes in El Paso to take on the Rhinos.

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FRI, NOVEMBER 5

Northeast at Jamestown - 7:05 PM EDT

Maine at Maryland - 7:30 PM EDT

Danbury at New Jersey - 7:30 PM EDT

Austin at St. Cloud - 7:00 PM CDT

Shreveport at Amarillo - 7:05 PM CDT

Chippewa at Springfield - 7:05 PM CDT

Lone Star at Wichita Falls - 7:05 PM CDT

MN Magicians at MN Wilderness - 7:15 PM CDT