Flags Finish Season with 5-4 Win over Jackals
Published on April 7, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Flags News Release
(PORT HURON, MICH.) - After posting an 0-4-3 record in the last seven games, the Port Huron Flags ended their regular season on a high note, holding off the Elmira Jackals, 5-4 on Fan Appreciation Night.
Ben Gustavson fired up the crowd early in the first period when he picked up a nice pass from Chris Bogas and fired the puck past Zach Sikich at 6:04. Greg Bullock also assisted on the lamp-lighter. It was the only score of the frame, as the Flags outshot the Jackals, 12-8.
In the second, Kris Vernarsky made it a 2-goal game at the two-minute marker, when he snuck in a pass from Scott Wray. About four minutes later, Glenn Detulleo cut the Flags goal in half. Dan Veenema wrapped the puck around the net in time for Detulleo to pick it up and put it behind Dustin Traylen. Marc Lefebvre also assisted. However, the tallies were only the tip of the iceberg in the middle session. Pure pandemonium broke out on the ice at 15:08 when Gustavson took a hit from behind from Scott Drevitch, and immediately turned around to return the gesture. Sikich, who was unimpressed with Gustavson, jumped into the mix and eventually wound up scrapping with the linesman. When it was all sorted out, Sikich was tossed from the game and Gustavson received five for fighting and two for roughing. Elmira matched Port Huron, 13 - 13, in shots on goal.
Dave Lemanowicz assumed duties between the red pipes for the Jackals, and in the third period, the teams passed the time by trading goals. Elmira tied it up on a Joe Markusen tally at 4:30, from Lefebvre and David Morelli, but Mark Cadotte responded at 12:29, rifling in a shot from the far circle. Bogas and Vernarsky were credited with the assists.
Yevgeny Lazarev knotted the score again at 15:43, from Mike Oliveira and Detulleo, but Bogas fired back 24 seconds later, off assists from Bullock and Gustavson. Elmira pulled Lemanowicz for a last-minute rally, but Craig Mahon picked up an empty-netter, off Vernarsky and Jeremy Tucker. However, the visitors would not go down easily, as Scott Drevitch finished his hockey career by scoring with 8 seconds left, making the final score, 5-4, in favor of the Flags.
Traylen made 25 saves on 29 Elmira shots to earn the win, while Sikich stopped 23 of 25 attempts in a no-decision, with Lemanowicz going 16-for-18 in the loss. AT&T awarded its first, second and third stars of the game to Bogas, Vernarsky and Drevitch, respectively. Playoff action begins next Friday, in McMorran Arena, at 7:30 p.m. as the Flags lace up their skates against the number one seed, Muskegon Fury.
Catch Flags Fever! Round one of the post-season starts next Friday, at 7:30 p.m. at McMorran Arena, as the Flags host the Muskegon Fury. Thanks to Cawood Auto, advance tickets are available at the reduced price of $12, $10 and half-off for children, 12 and under. On game day, prices return to the regular season cost of $16, $14 and $12. Don't miss out on your chance to be a part of all the playoff action as the Flags chase the Colonial Cup! Call (810) 982-FLAG today to reserve your seats and save money!
International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 7, 2007
- Mizzi And Cloutier Named 2006-07 Team Co-MVP's - Rockford IceHogs
- Record crowd sees PrairieThunder fall in finale - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Flags Finish Season with 5-4 Win over Jackals - Port Huron Flags
- Flags Keep Back Jackals 5-4 - Elmira Jackals
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Mallards Announce Playoff Schedule - Quad City Mallards
- Arch-rivals To Open Up The Colonial Cup Playoffs On Friday the 13th - Rockford IceHogs
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