Flags Nab Win #20 in 2-0 Blanking of Komets

Published on February 23, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Flags News Release


(FORT WAYNE, IND.) - The Port Huron Flags turned in an outstanding team effort to shut out the host Fort Wayne Komets on Friday night, earning their first victory of the season against the Western Conference opponent and their 20th win altogether.

Five penalties were called to both teams throughout the first twenty minutes of play, and Port Huron's special teams stepped up their game, killing off over a minute of 5-on-3 shorthanded time. With 2:11 left on the clock, Steve Hildenbrand found the net behind Kevin St. Pierre, capitalizing on a Guy Dupuis penalty. Assisted by Colt King and Greg Bullock, Hildenbrand's tally was his eighth of the season and put the visitors up by one at the end of the period, despite being outshot by the Komets, 13-6.

The penalty count continued to climb in the second, though the score remained the same. Before three minutes had passed, King knuckled up with Ryan Jorde, much to the excitement of the 7, 611 fans. Five minutes later, Pascal Morency challenged Josh Vanderbreggen, but then refused to drop his gloves after Vanderbreggen's had come off. Both players were sent to the locker room, but Fort Wayne received a five minute power play, giving the home team a chance to knot the score. Goalie Dustin Traylen, however, had different plans, as he and the Flags' defense formed a stone wall in front of the net. The Komets were only able to get off seven shots on goal in the middle frame, while the Flags recorded eight.

A frustrated home team could not find a way to light the goal lamps in the final session, although an explosion in front of the Komets' net came early on. St. Pierre unnecessarily threw his blocker into Rob Snowball on multiple occasions, so when the puck wound up in front of the goalie, Snowball returned the favor. Brent Henley came charging in to stand up for his teammate, but his temper flared more at the officials than at his opponent. Henley had to be wrestled to the ice by the linesmen, before being tossed from the game, along with Snowball. After the melee calmed down, the remaining sixteen minutes passed uneventfully, with the exception of King's marker at 13:36. Ben Gustavson's pass to Shayne Tomlinson gave the defenseman a chance to fire in front of St. Pierre, while King was in the right position to pound it home and finish the game for the Flags.

Traylen picked up his fifteenth win and third perfect night, in addition to being named the First Star of the Game, after blocking all 33 Fort Wayne shots. St. Pierre made 19 of 21 saves in the loss and earned Second Star honors, while Hildenbrand received the Third Star.

Friday's victory was a bright start to a 5-game road swing, which puts the Flags in Muskegon on Saturday to take on the league's best team. Now at 20-28-6 on the season, Port Huron will look to carry its momentum to LC Walker Arena. In their last road battle against the Fury, the Flags emerged with a 3-2 victory.

MUGS AND PUCKS! The Flags are hosting a social cocktail mixer on Wednesday, Mar. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Quay Street Brewery in downtown Port Huron. For $20, guests will enjoy a buffet of appetizers, two drink vouchers and a mingling session with the Flags team members. Commemorative glass mugs will be available for purchase, at $5 a piece. Call (810) 982-FLAG (3524) to reserve your tickets today!

The Port Huron Flags are a community owned, nonprofit member club of the United Hockey League. For more information on the 2006-07 season, contact the front office at (810) 982-3524 or visit the website at www.porthuronflags.net

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 23, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central