Chicago Hounds Weekly Notes

Published on January 2, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Chicago Hounds News Release


Hounds can't top Komets on the New Years Eve, lose 4-2: With a sold out crowd on hand, the Komets were set to continue a yearly tradition in Fort Wayne. With Puhalski at the helm for his new team, he had ideas of quieting the crowd early-and Chicago did just that. With a 5 on 3 advantage in the first period, forward B.J. Radovich blasted a puck past Komets goaltender Kevin St. Pierre at 9:26 to give his team a one goal advantage. But, just over three minutes later, Fort Wayne would follow up with a power-play goal of their own when J.C. Ruid found the back of the net when he beat Marty Magers at 12:37 tying the score at 1-1. The Komets weren't done in the first period as they continued their offensive onslaught. Next was Matt Syroczynski took the pass from Bogdan Rudenko and gave his team the lead going into the second period. The shots on goal after one stanza was 17 - 5 in favor of the Komets. In the second period, as Tim Plett was serving a four minute penalty, the Komets struck for another power-play goal. This time it was Bogdan Rudenko at 17:35 who fired one home and gave his team a two goal lead.

In the third period, the Komets would jump out to a three goal lead when David Hukalo would beat Magers at 7:10. Hounds blueliner Bob Rapoza would score one more for his team but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback as the Komets skate away with a 4-2 victory. Chicago was 2-9 on the power-play while Fort Wayne was 2-10. Chicago Defeats Bloomington 3-2: The Hounds held on to defeat the Prairie Thunder by a score of 3-2. It was only the second time that Bloomington made their way back to the Sears Centre this season and the first time the skated away victoriously-this time, the Hounds were looking for payback.

In the first period, it was Chicago getting a man advantage off a Shawn Roed hooking minor. After Rod Aldoff blasted a point shot, Captain Steve Cygan found the loose puck and sent one behind Thunder goaltender Jeff Reynaert and gave the Hounds an early 1-0 lead at 3:20. However, Roed would make amends only 13 seconds later when he fired a shot past Marty Magers to tie the game up, 1-1.

The second period saw a barrage of shots against the Bloomington goaltender and the Thunder were responsible for the games first six penalties but Reynaert stood tall. Finally, Rod Aldoff's point shot was deflected by Greg Koehler and the Hounds took a 2-1 lead at 14:34 of the second.

In the final stanza, it was Mike Kautz starting the rush and driving to the net where he fed a blitzing Maris Ziedins in front of the crease who fired the puck over the shoulder of Reynaert to give the hounds a two goal advantage at 8:59. However, the Thunder weren't finished yet. After Magers made a sprawling poke check off Ryan Gillis, Jeff Cameron cradled the loose puck and blasted it behind the Hounds goalie to cut the lead in half. Despite a late power-play for Bloomington, they couldn't get another shot past Magers and the Hounds took the 3-2 victory.

Chicago was 1 for 7 on the power-play while Bloomington was 0-4. Magers stopped 31 of 33 shots while Reynaert made 25 saves on 28 shots.

Rockford Returns the Favor, shutout 3-0: Rockford blitzed out of the gates with two early goals in first period. Off a face-off win, IceHogs defensemen Luke Fritshaw fired a shot that just beat Marty Magers at 2:40. Only 19 seconds later, Nathan Lutz blasted a rocket over the blocker side of Magers and before the Hounds knew what happened, they were down by two goals. Rockford continued to pressure Chicago all period and managed to register 16 shots in the first stanza. Despite his early goals against, Magers stood tall and tried to settle things down for the reeling Hounds.

The Hounds tried desperately to fight back in the second, but it was Frederic Cloutier took over as he made several great saves and shut the door on the Hounds.

The third period was much the same as the second except the IceHogs managed one more goal. This time it was Kaleb Betts who beat Magers after he recovered a loose puck inside the Hounds zone at 11:38 giving his team a three goal lead and the victory. Tempered flared towards the end of the game when IceHogs winger Jason Notermann was called for charging Magers. This insighted Chris Busby to take down Notermann and they both went at it exchanging rights and lefts until the officials finally broke it up. This also spurred Matt Amado and Preston Mizzi to tangle and both were charged with five for fighting at 15:07. The Hounds only had one power-play all game with just under two minutes to go but were unable to register a goal and break the shutout of Cloutier.

Hounds defeat Fort Wayne, 5-1: The Chicago Hounds defeated the Fort Wayne Komets for the second straight time at home. In the first period, Maris Ziedins stood unguarded at the top of the crease where he was fed by Kris Vernarsky and banged one home for the first goal at 3:09. Later that period, Ziedins would return the favor and set up Vernarsky who rifled the puck on a bad angle that beat Komets goaltender Kevin St. Pierre at 12:10. The Komets managed seven shots on goal but Marty Magers was particularly great and made some brilliant saves including a diving save on Fort Wayne forward Bruce Richardson.

The second period saw 14 penalty minutes called for both teams. During a man advantage for Fort Wayne, Captain Guy Dupuis picked up a loose puck and fired it passed Magers at 14:30. But, that was the last time Magers would fall victim to a Komets shot on goal.

In the third, it was all Chicago. Todd Grant picked up the puck on a three-on-one Hounds attack where he sent a rocket over the catching glove of St. Pierre at 6:31, giving the Hounds a two goal lead and a little breathing room. A power-play goal would follow by Matt Amado who stationed himself at the top of the crease where he picked up a pass from Todd Grant and beat St. Pierre at 14:08. An empty netter by Maris Ziedins would give him two goals on the night and seal the deal for the Hounds as they win by a score of 5-1. Magers made 26 saves on 27 shots while St. Pierre made 19 on 23. Chicago went 1 for 5 on the power play and Fort Wayne was 1 for 7.

Leading Scorers:Greg Koehler still leads his team in points with 21 in 29 games. Despite his recent slump on the score-sheet, Koehler managed a point in his last two games including a goal against the Prairie Thunder on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Latvian forward Maris Ziedins has crept past Chris Busby for second on team scoring. Ziedins has tallied 6 points in his last 5 games this week. That includes a three point night he had against Fort Wayne on the 27 on December. Rounding out the top 5 are Defensemen Chris Busby, Captain Steve Cygan and forward Todd Grant.

# PLAYERS POS GP G A PTS +/- PIM PPG PPA SHG SHA GWG SHOTS SPCT

11 Koehler, Greg RW 29 9 12 21 -7 28 4 7 0 0 1 91 .099

15 Ziedins, Maris C 29 10 8 18 +6 33 2 2 2 1 3 68 .147

2 Busby, Chris D 28 3 15 18 +1 48 2 8 0 1 0 62 .048

18 Cygan, Steve LW 27 5 11 16 -8 33 3 2 0 0 2 58 .086

Magers gets a backup: The Hounds recently added a backup goalie in Corey Wogtech. The St. Louis, Missouri native played in the New Years Eve game in Fort Wayne for the final ten minutes and change. He managed 6 saves on 6 shots. Despite playing a small amount, his new teammates are thrilled he has become a Hound, "Practicing with him the last couple of days the team has been very impressed. He seems to have great lateral movement and we think he will be a great benefit to this hockey club," raved forward Matt Amado.

Marty Magers, who has played in every Hounds game except one this season might be looking for a break or two in the next couple months. Currently, Magers leads the league in minutes played with 1635:35 is 5th in shutouts with 2, first in saves with 867. Despite his losing record, Magers still maintains a 3.01 GAA and a save percentage of .914. His teammates are thankful that Magers has been a pillar of strength for their club, "Marty comes to play every single game. He despises losing and won't allow any of us to let up. We love his enthusiasm on and off the ice," said defensemen Rod Aldoff.

Get your Program here! After a few months of only 3 home games, the Hounds are finally ready to unleash their game-day programs for all home games. The staff has worked diligently the past months to make this programs one of the leagues best. Inside you will find plenty of information on Hounds players and an in-depth look at the UHL's winningest coach, Greg Puhalski and a handsome bio on an equally handsome Jason Shaya.

Fury are back...again: No one disputes the dominance that Muskegon possesses over the league. The Chicago Hounds have beaten every team they have played except for Muskegon. In three attempts so far, the Hounds are 0-3. Chicago players know this is a tough team to play against and their feel they are as ready as ever, "They play a very strong team game. If we want to win, we have to be playing great hockey. Every time we have played them, it has been close. We are looking for the next big leap and we feel we are as prepared now as we have ever been," said Hounds goaltender Marty Magers.

Standings: The Western Conference continues to be a battle. Rockford is closing their way in on Fort Wayne and their control. With one game in hand, the Komets are only 5 points ahead now on the IceHogs. Quad City is third with 29 points in 30 games. Meanwhile, the Hounds are sitting second to last with 23 points in 29 games. Chicago's record is currently 11-17-1 with a win percentage of .397. The Hounds home records is one game above .500 with a 7-6 record but are only 4-11 away from the Sears Centre.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 2, 2007


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