Flags Edged by Fury 3-2, in Series Finale
April 18, 2007 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Flags News Release
(PORT HURON, MICH.) - Facing elimination at the start of the game, the Port Huron Flags came up just shy of an equalizing goal against the Muskegon Fury on Wednesday night, closing the series, 4-0.
In what looked like déjà vu from game one, Kris Vernarsky broke up a Muskegon power play and started off the night's scoring with a shorthanded flipper that slid in past Clayton Pool. At 14:10, on assists from Greg Bullock and BJ Adams, the tally gave the home squad a 1-0 lead. However at 18:41, Billy Collins got the best of Noah Ruden and tied the game, with assists credited to Ryan Barnes and Justin Coutu. Muskegon doubled Port Huron's shots in the first, 14-7, despite the even scoreboard at the end of the period.
Both sides hit double digits in their second session shots, with 14 from the Fury and 10 from the Flags, but only the visitors capitalized. Muskegon collected a shorthanded goal with just 51 seconds on the clock, when Todd Robinson took the puck down the ice and backhanded it on Ruden's short side for the go-ahead goal. Dave Van Drunen also assisted.
Collins picked up his second lamp-lighter at 5:26 in the final frame, from Coutu and Dave Noel-Bernier, quieting the crowd of 1,254 at McMorran. Although Joe Markusen brought the Flags within one at 12:48, the clock expired before the Flags could level the tables.
Ruden made 31 saves on 34 shots in the loss, while Pool stuffed 33 of 35 for the win. AT&T awarded its three stars of the game to Collins, Bullock and Ruden.
Black Jersey Auction - The Flags will be hosting a season ending party this weekend, with date and time to be determined. At the event, the final auction will occur for the black jerseys, worn on the road by the team. Check the Flags website or call 982-FLAG for final details.
The Port Huron Flags are a community owned, non-profit member club of the United Hockey League. For more information, contact the front office at (810) 982-3524 or visit the website at www.porthuronflags.net.
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 18, 2007
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