Flags Bolster Playoff Position in Week 23
Published on March 19, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Flags News Release
Game Recaps
Wednesday, Mar. 14 Muskegon 1 @ Port Huron 2
The Fury struck first, but Scott Wray and Greg Bullock each chipped in a goal in the final period to take the victory against the league's best team.
Friday, Mar. 16 Fort Wayne 5 @ Port Huron 2
Scott Wray started the night's scoring for the Flags, but Fort Wayne retaliated with 4 consecutive lamp-lighters to take a solid lead. Steve Hildenbrand's goal, early in the third period, gave Port Huron a fighting chance, but an empty-netter for Fort Wayne in the final minutes sealed the deal for the Komets.
Saturday, Mar. 17 Port Huron 2 @ Kalamazoo 10
Despite Steve Hildenbrand's initial goal, Kalamazoo came back strong, tallying four straight before Kris Vernarsky netted the only other marker for the Flags. The Wings potted six more in their victory.
Sunday, Mar. 18 Elmira 2 @ Port Huron 6
Scott Wray took first honors again, but Elmira quickly answered back. This time it was Port Huron's turn to take a commanding lead, as Wray's next two goals sandwiched another from Steve Hildenbrand. Kris Vernarsky took an additional point before the Jackals scored again, and Rob Snowball contributed the final lamp-lighter of the game to win, 6-2.
Player of the Week: Scott Wray Left Wing
DATE Vs. G A PTS PIM +/-
3/14 MUS 1 1 2 0 +1
3/16 FTW 1 0 1 2 -1
3/17 KZO 0 0 0 2 -3
3/18 ELM 3 1 4 2 -1
TOTAL: 4 5 2 7 4 -4
Scott picked up his first hat trick of the season on Sunday, against his former teammate, Jackals goalie Dave Lemanowicz. He earned 1st Game Star and 2nd Game Star honors on Sunday and Wednesday, respectively. Wray leads the team in scoring and has recorded a point in 7 of his last 10 games.
Goaltender of the Week: Dustin Traylen
DATE Vs. W/L/SOL MIN GA SAVES SPCT.
3/14 MUS 1/0/0 60:00 1 34 .971
TOTAL: 1 1/0/0 60:00 1 34 .971
Dustin was named 3rd Star of the Game in Wednesday's contest and recorded his 5th straight win of the season.
Team Notes
- Scott Wray earned his first hat trick of the season on Sunday night, recording the third 3-goal game for a Port Huron player this year.
- Port Huron's victory over Elmira on Sunday lifted the Flags to a 5-point lead in the standings for the playoffs race.
- Wednesday's win against Muskegon was the Flags' second straight series victory. Port Huron has taken four of the last five contests with the Fury. It was also just the 5th time this year that the Flags rallied from a deficit to win in the third period.
- Scott Wray is 15th in the league in scoring
- Greg Bullock tallied 2 power play assists on Sunday, as well as 1 on Saturday, moving him into 5th in the league for PPA (25). Bullock has collected a point in 8 of the last 10 games.
- Steve Hildenbrand netted a goal in all 3 weekend games.
- McMorran Arena passed the 60,000 mark in attendance on Sunday, with 1,992 fans present, upping the season total to 60,964.
Upcoming Games:
Wednesday, Mar. 21 vs. Muskegon Fury (Home)
Friday, Mar. 23 vs. Chicago Hounds (Home)
Saturday, Mar. 24 @ Bloomington PrairieThunder
Sunday, Mar. 25 @ Kalamazoo Wings
Wednesday's match-up against Muskegon will continue a series that deeper in the season, has generated more intensity. The Flags have won 4 of the last 5 against the Fury, and both goalies have proven their ability to shut down the league's top offense. Dustin Traylen grabbed his first win on Wednesday and is 1-2-1 in the series, while Noah Ruden has made a habit of playing his best games in Muskegon and is 3-2-0 this season. This will be the final home stand against the Fury for the Flags, and the last meeting of the season happens Friday, Mar. 30 at LC Walker Arena. Greg Bullock, Colt King and Mark Cadotte have found success in these match-ups, with 8, 7 and 7 points, respectively.
Chicago comes to town on Friday, marking just the third contest between the two teams this year. In their previous face-off in McMorran, the Flags narrowly squeaked out a 5-4 shootout victory. Currently, the Hounds and the Flags each have 60 points in the standings, although Port Huron has a game in hand on Chicago. Defensively, the Flags need to shut down left wing Steve Cygan and center Maris Ziedins who lead the Hounds in scoring against the Flags. The following Wednesday, Mar. 28, Port Huron travels to the Sears Centre to make up the Feb. 25 contest that was cancelled, due to bad weather. It will be the final meeting of the season for the two squads.
The Flags will close out week 24 on the road, traveling to Bloomington on Saturday and stopping in Kalamazoo on Sunday. Port Huron is 3-2-0 against the PrairieThunder, but the Illinois team has won 5 of its last 6 games, fueled by offensive strikers Tyler Rennette and Mike Zbriger, who have both contributed points in 3 of their last 5. Historically the Flags have struggled against the K-Wings and are 3-7-1 this season against the conference opponent. In the 2007 calendar year, the Flags have failed to collect a win, either at home or on the road. Their last win over Kalamazoo came on Dec. 27 at McMorran Arena.
Final Game Scores:
Wednesday, Mar. 14 Muskegon Fury 1
Port Huron 2 W
Friday, Mar. 16 Fort Wayne Komets 5
Port Huron 2 L
Saturday, Mar. 17 Port Huron 2
Kalamazoo Wings 10 L
Sunday, Mar. 11 Elmira Jackals 2
Port Huron 6 W
Flags Season Record: 27-32-6
At home: 18-12-3 On the road: 9-20-3
Conference: 16-20-5 Non-Conference: 11-12-1
Eastern Standing: 4th League Standing: T-7th
International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 19, 2007
- Hogs centerman earns another Player of the Week nod - Rockford IceHogs
- UHL recognizes week's best - IHL 2
- PrairieThunder clinging to playoff hopes - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Komets extend Western Conference lead - Fort Wayne Komets
- Mallards Host Bloomington on Wednesday Before Beginning Road Trip - Quad City Mallards
- Flags Bolster Playoff Position in Week 23 - Port Huron Flags
- Kalamazoo Wings Week in Review - Kalamazoo Wings
- K-Wings Raise Over $32,000 for Charity - Kalamazoo Wings
- Rockford trudging through playoff push - Rockford IceHogs
- Generals Weekly Recap - Flint Generals
- Fury magic number at 10 points - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Muskegon Fury notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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