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'Big Picture' Gets Clearer as Ironmen Advance in Playoffs

April 17, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Jamestown Ironmen News Release


The Jamestown Ironmen extended their season last night with a 2-1 victory on the road over the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings in North American Hockey League playoff action.

It only took three games for Jamestown to wrap up the best-of-five North Division semi final playoff series with Kalamazoo.

After a pair of impressive home victories this past weekend, the Ironmen took the show on the road to Kalamazoo Wednesday night, but it was much of the same as far as what went down on the ice. Jamestown stuck to their recipe of great defense and discipline on the offensive attack. And oh yeah, they relied on their goaltender, Joey Ballmer.

In what was just another day at the office, Ballmer put together another outstanding performance between the pipes, making 29 saves on 30 shots in his third victory of the post-season. Through three playoff games, the net minder has made 91 saves while only allowing three goals with a save percentage of .968.

Jamestown took an early lead in Wednesday's contest as Ryan Doucet netted a goal 7:36 into the first period with assists coming from Luc Gerdes and Evan Ritt.

The second period was scoreless and the third looked to be headed down that same path until Kalamazoo notched a goal with just under five minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game up, 1-1.

The Ironmen didn't even flinch as Ritt buried an opportunity less than ten seconds later to give Jamestown a 2-1 edge. Gerdes was in on the assist and the goal proved to be the game winner.

"We played a good game," said Ironmen head coach Dan Daikawa. "We got a little loose and let them sneak a goal in, but responded well and did enough to win."

Daikawa's squad will now advance to the North Division Finals, where they will take on the winner of the other semi final series between the Soo Eagles and the Port Huron Fighting Falcons. The top seeded Eagles lead the series, 2-0 with Game 3 in Port Huron tonight at 7pm.

In their next playoff series, Jamestown will have an opportunity to play for a North Division title along with a bid to the Robertson Cup Championship. Each NAHL division (Central, North, South, West) will crown a champion, giving them the chance to travel to in Frisco, Texas to battle for the NAHL Championship.

"From the start of the season, we wanted to make the playoffs," explained Daikawa. "For us the "˜big picture' has now shifted to playing in the Robertson Cup, and this past series was just a hurdle on our way there. We will enjoy our victory tonight, head back to Jamestown and refocus."



North American Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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