Flags Beat Jackals 4-2
Published on December 15, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Port Huron, MI - The Port Huron Flags won their second consecutive game against the Elmira Jackals with a 4-2 win Friday night at McMorran Place Arena.
The Jackals got off to a rocky start when they gave up the opening goal at 7:49 of the first period. After a turnover near the blue line, Jackals goaltender Kris Tebbs robbed Ryan Markham on a breakaway, but Steve Hildenbrand swooped in on the rebound and scored for a 1-0 lead. Elmira caught up when rookie defenseman Derek Miller, playing his first pro game as a forward, scored his first career professional goal. Miller took a cross-ice pass from David Morelli and unleashed a hard slap shot from the top of the right wing circle that beat goalie Noah Ruden at 8:59. But the Flags regained the lead off another failed Jackals clearing attempt. Bobby Kukulka stole the puck off a back-check just inside the offensive blue line, and then executed a give-and-go with Greg Bullock at 15:49, Kukulka's 3rd goal in his last two games, all against Elmira.
In the second period, the Flags received three consecutive power plays in the first eight minutes, but Elmira's stingy penalty kill kept Port Huron from extending their lead. However, late in the period the Flags caught Elmira sleeping in front of their goal as rookie defenseman Craig Mahon slipped through the defenses for a one-timer. Kris Tebbs denied his initial shot but Mahon corralled his own rebound and scored his first professional goal at 18:37, assisted by Greg Bullock and Mark Cadotte.
Yevgeny Lazarev scored his 11th goal of the season at 7:14 of the third period, capping off a wonderful passing combination between Lazarev and Erik Anderson, cutting the Flags lead to 3-2; Scott Wray also assisted on the goal. But as the Jackals tried to find the equalizer, Port Huron's Mike Olynyk put the game out of reach. Olynyk knocked in a one-timer from Colt King and Chris Bogas at 19:24, giving the Flags a 4-2 win.
Noah Ruden earned his 2nd win of the season and second straight win over the Jackals as he made 26 saves on 28 shots, improving Port Huron to 8-14-4. Kris Tebbs stopped 33-of-37 shots in goal as the Jackals lost their third straight game, dropping to 13-11-0 this season. Elmira was 0-for-5 on the power play, while Port Huron was 0-for-7.
The Jackals continue their weekend road trip Saturday night against the Flint Generals at Perani's Arena at 7:30 pm. Sunday Elmira will face the Kalamazoo Wings for the first time since the opening weekend of the season. The Jackals return to First Arena on Friday, December 29th as they host the Port Huron Flags at 7:35 pm.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 15, 2006
- Hogs limp through 4-1 defeat to Mallards - Rockford IceHogs
- Fast start propels Fury past PrairieThunder, 4-0 - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Flags Beat Jackals 4-2 - Elmira Jackals
- Flags Tame Jackals, 4-2 - Port Huron Flags
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Mister OT Returns Tonight - Kalamazoo Wings
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