Flags Pull Out 5-4 Victory Over Hounds in Shootout
Published on February 11, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Flags News Release
(PORT HURON, MICH.) - The Chicago Hounds forced a shootout at McMorran arena, but were ultimately denied by the Port Huron Flags who skated away with a 5-4 home win, snapping a 4-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon.
Jeremy Tucker turned the tables on a Hounds power play, when he picked up a pass from Chris Bogas, beat the Chicago defenders down the ice and found the open 5-hole on Marty Magers, for the only goal in the initial period. Across the season, the Flags have been outshot by their opponents in the first, but Port Huron's 10 attempts beat the visitor's eight in the beginning 20 minutes of play.
Middle period action picked up immediately, as the home squad capitalized on a carry over penalty to Chris Busby for interference. Greg Bullock found Bobby Kukulka alone at the net, giving the Flags a 2-goal lead, fifty-seven seconds into the second, with Steve Hildenbrand receiving the second assist. Within 20 seconds of the face-off proceeding the goal, Colt King exceeded his limit of tolerance for Chris Gehrke, and solidly won a fight, to the amusement of the home crowd of 1,466 fans. While King and Gehrke served their penalties, Matt Johnson picked up a pass from Darryl McArthur and beat Dustin Traylen at the net at 2:04, giving the Hounds their first lamp-lighter of the night. After that, things settled down until the halfway point, when Bogas picked off a Chicago pass and caught Mike James near the net, who one-timed it over Magers for the Flags' third marker of the night and reclaimed the two point margin for Port Huron. However the Hounds responded when Matt Amado rebounded Chris Busby's fire at 14:53. Andrew Lackner also assisted on what would be the final tally of the middle frame. The Flags again edged out the visitor's attempts on goal, 12-11.
Kukulka potted his second marker of the night at 4:30 in the third, on an odd shot that bounced behind Magers leg and into the net. Rod Aldoff surprised Traylen late in the period with a shot from the blue line that found the back of the net, cutting the Hounds deficit to one. It looked like the Flags would hold off the rally effort from the visitors, but a gamble paid off, when Magers was pulled for the extra attacker. Steve Cygan's equalizer with fifty seconds on the clock came from Paul Caponigri and Maris Ziedins.
In overtime, Traylen stopped four of five Hounds shooters, while Magers was unsuccessful against Hildenbrand and Mark Cadotte. Traylen made 27 saves on 31 shots in the victory, as the Flags advanced to 17-27-6. Magers was credited with 28 stops on 32 attempts in the shoot out loss, while the Hounds fell back to 18-29-1. The underlying story of the night is the rapidly approaching playoff race between Chicago and Port Huron. Prior to Sunday's contest, the Hounds were just one point behind the Flags, but the game results edged the Flags lead to 2 points on the season, although Port Huron has played two more games than Chicago.
AT&T awarded the first, second and third Stars of the Game to Cadotte, Kukulka and Tucker respectively. Port Huron's next home game happens on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m., as the Flags play host to their archrival, Flint Generals.
Valentine's Day Jersey Auction! On Wednesday, Feb. 14, the Flags will sport special edition Valentine's Day jerseys that will only be worn once and auctioned off to the highest bidders, immediately following the end of the game against the Flint Generals. During the first intermission, Mosher's Jewelers Race for the Rock will give three lucky female fans the opportunity to find a diamond pendant. Call (810) 982-FLAG for more details
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.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 11, 2007
- Flags Pull Out 5-4 Victory Over Hounds in Shootout - Port Huron Flags
- Fury widening lead - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Muskegon Fury notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Rockford remains hot with three more wins - Rockford IceHogs
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