Cadotte's Hat Trick Sends Flags Soaring over PrairieThunder, 5-3
Published on February 17, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Flags News Release
(PORT HURON, MICH.) - The Port Huron Flags fought off an attempted rally from the Bloomington PrairieThunder, when center Mark Cadotte snagged his third goal of the night late in the final period to seal the victory for the home team.
Bobby Kukulka netted his twentieth goal of the season at 12:45 in the first, by capitalizing on the man-advantage from a Bloomington penalty. Chris Bogas pushed the puck up the ice and found Ben Gustavson just across the visitors' blue line. Gustavson sent a perfect pass to Kukulka at the near circle and his wrist shot found the back of the net over the top of Steffan Braunlich's shoulder. At the end of the period, the Flags dominated shots on goal, with 15, compared to the Thunder's six.
Cadotte needed just 49 seconds in the middle frame to double Port Huron's lead. Steve Hildenbrand faked out Braunlich with enough time to slide the puck across to Cadotte, who chipped it home. Five and a half minutes later, Cadotte found gold again, on a Flags' power play. Greg Bullock and Hildenbrand assisted, as the home squad found itself up by three, early in the second. Before the midpoint of the period, Bullock extended the lead to four, when he fired a one-timer from beyond the far circle that zipped into the net. B.J. Adams and Bogas were credited on the assists, at 8:48.
However, Bloomington began to surge at 18:24, taking advantage of a Flags penalty. Jarad Bourassa potted the first goal for the PrairieThunder, on assists from Greg Koehler and John Spoltore. Forty-five seconds later, Alex Goupil made it a 4-2 game when he beat Dustin Traylen, off assists from Mike Zbriger and former Flag Ryan Gillis. Port Huron recorded 10 shots on goal, while Bloomington took thirteen.
Things got a little too close for comfort when Sam Miller's shot, set up by B.J. Gaustad and Mark Phenow, rifled past Traylen's glove and set off the goal light a minute and 46 seconds into the third. Despite multiple offensive chances, the Thunder were unable to tie the game, as a strong defensive stance from the Flags warded off the remaining 12 shots from Bloomington. As the game entered the final minute of play, Cadotte put the game away for the Flags, when Kris Vernarsky and Hildenbrand set up the hat trick marker. Colt King is the only other three-goal starlet from Port Huron this season.
Traylen's 29 saves on 32 shots gave him his third straight victory, while Braunlich took the loss with 25 stops on 30 attempts. AT&T awarded first, second and third stars of the game to Cadotte, Bullock and Bogas, respectively. The Flags kick off a five-game road swing next week and return to McMorran on Sunday, Mar. 4 to host the Elmira Jackals at 5 p.m.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 17, 2007
- Doyle's later third period goal wins it for the IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
- Cadotte's Hat Trick Sends Flags Soaring over PrairieThunder, 5-3 - Port Huron Flags
- Goaltender Ryan Cyr Leads Muskegon To 4-3 Comeback Win - Elmira Jackals
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
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