Weekend Preview: Ice Miners Head to Flint Looking to Build Playoff Cushion
January 28, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Keystone Ice Miners News Release
CONNELLSVILLE, PA - The Ice Miners next game on Friday in Flint, MI will mark the 2/3 point of the season, and the Ice Miners are sitting in a good spot - sole possession of 2nd place in the North Division with 44 points, one point ahead of the Soo Eagles. Despite their positive positioning, only 6 points separate the 2nd and 4th (and final) spots in the North. Springfield's shootout win at the Ice Mine last Saturday gives them claim of that 4th spot at 38 points - a two point advantage over Johnstown and a three point lead over this weekend's opponent, the Michigan Warriors.
The Warriors are already in the final third of their season, having played 41 games. They have been carried by solid goaltending between Ryan Wischow and Trevor Gorsuch, who are fourth and fifth in the NAHL in save percentage, respectively. Gorsuch was recalled to the USHL's Waterloo Blackhawks in early December so Wischow has started 7 of the last 8 games - but has won only once in that span. Of the five head to head battles with the Ice Miners, Wischow has started twice, losing both. Wischow recently committed to DI St. Lawrence University.
Despite Gorsuch's struggles, the Warriors have won three of the five games against the Ice Miners this year, splitting a series at the Ice Mine in their most recent head-to-head on December 5th and 6th. After the Ice Miners prevailed 3-0 on the 5th, Michigan countered with a 3-1 victory the following day. The Warriors also swept a series in Connellsville on October 4th and 5th by 3-2 and 4-0 scores. Keystone has won the only battle at Perani Arena, taking a 2-1 victory on September 28th. Vito Aluia and Austin Romzek scored goals for the Ice Miners while Alex Blankenburg made 46 saves. The Ice Miners and Warriors still have 7 games against each other this season.
Tyler Groat leads the Warriors in goals (14) and points (29), with three players tied with 22 points (A.J. Marcinek, Colin Horton, and Mitch Wedding). Marcinek has four goals and two assists against the Ice Miners this season. Keystone point leaders against the Warriors are Taylor Fernandez and Matt Jones, who each have four points.
The Ice Miners have points in 9 of their last 10 games after the 4-3 shootout loss to Springfield on Saturday. The Warriors have lost 11 of 12 games, following a stretch of gaining points of 6 in 8. Despite the struggles, a surge would put them back into the playoff picture. The games begin at 7:00 on Friday and Saturday night at Perani Arena in Flint and will be broadcast on FASTHockey.com, with the "AWAY" feed carrying the Keystone broadcast.
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North American Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2015
- Gestro, LaBurn, Lomsnes Selected to Top Prospects Roster - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Four Tomahawks Named to NAHL Top Prospects Tournament - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Ian Janco Commits to Bemidji State University - Janesville Jets
- Warriors Visit to Marion D Crouse - Michigan Warriors
- Warriors Ryan Wischow Commits to D1 St. Lawrence University - Michigan Warriors
- Weekend Preview: Ice Miners Head to Flint Looking to Build Playoff Cushion - Keystone Ice Miners
- Five Total Current Or Former Bulls Named to Top Prospects Rosters - Amarillo Bulls
- Minot Minotauros Well Represented - Minot Minotauros
- Jacks Acquire Holcombe, Keck from the Soo - Odessa Jackalopes
- Wings Acquire Former Defenseman - Aberdeen Wings
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