Flags Week in Review
Published on January 8, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Flags News Release
Game Recaps
Friday, Jan. 5 Ft Wayne 4 vs. Port Huron 3 (SO)
The Flags came back from a 3-point deficit with a pair of goals from Mike Olynyk and the tying mark from Bobby Kukulka to send the contest to overtime. The shootout went to 8 rounds, when a controversial call from the ref disallowed a tally from Ryan Markham. Had Markham's goal counted, the game would have ended after 5 shooters in the Flags' favor. RJ Voorhees netted the game-winner for the Komets.
Saturday, Jan. 6 Muskegon 3 vs. Port Huron 4
Port Huron took an early lead on a breakaway goal from Mark Cadotte. Kukulka netted two more, but Muskegon fought back to tie the game at threes and head to a shootout for the second straight night at McMorran. Both teams went 3 for 5 in the first round of shooters, before Garett Cameron stuffed in the puck in round 6 to give the Flags their first victory over the league's number one team.
Sunday, Jan. 7 Port Huron 1 @ Chicago 5
In the teams' first meeting, the Hounds used their home ice advantage, scoring two goals before Colt King recorded the only Flags tally of the night. Three more Chicago scores went unanswered by Port Huron, giving the Hounds the win and the series advantage.
Player of the Week: Bobby Kukulka
DATE Vs. G A PTS PIM +/-
1/05 Ft. Wayne 1 0 1 0 0
1/06 Muskegon 2 0 2 2 +1
1/07 Chicago 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 3 3 0 3 2 +1
Bobby had the tying goal on Friday night to send the Komets to a shootout, as well as 2 goals on Saturday against Muskegon. He went 2 for 2 in shootout goals, helping the Flags pick up 3 points in 2 games, including their first victory over Muskegon. He was named 2nd Star of the Game on Saturday.
Goaltender of the Week: Noah Ruden
DATE Vs. W/L/SOL MIN GA SAVES SPCT.
1/05 Ft. Wayne 0/0/1 60:00 3 35 .914
1/06 Muskegon 1/0/0 60:00 3 24 .889
1/07 Chicago 0/1/0 60:00 5 29 .853
TOTALS 3 1/1/1 180:00 11 88 .889
With Dustin Traylen out with a foot injury, Noah is picking up invaluable experience as the starting goalie. He earned his first shootout victory of the season against the league's best team, which was also the Fury's first shootout loss of the season. He also recorded his first point on Saturday, with an assist on Mark Cadotte's goal.
Team Notes
- Saturday's victory was the team's first win against Muskegon, handing the Fury their first shut-out loss of the season
- BJ Adams leads the team in rating, with a +8 on the season. Ryan Markham and Steve Hildenbrand are right behind him, with +7 and +6, respectively
- The Flags starts a 3-game road stint this week, not returning to McMorran until Jan. 20
- The Flags seems to shine at McMorran, posting a 12.-7-3 record at home, outscoring opponents 71-62 and killing off 85.6% of penalties.
- In 2 prior contests with Rockford, the Flags have been successful. The teams meet in Rockford on Friday night.
- Third period action is when the Flags are at their best, outscoring their opponents 43-31. When tied after second period, the team is 7-1-1 overall and 4-1-0 at home
- The team's 9-game unbeaten streak in December still stands as the league's longest
- Noah Ruden earned his first shootout victory on Saturday
- Ruden also went on a 6-game unbeaten streak, going (4-0-2) with his last regulation loss before Sunday coming on Nov. 117
- Flags hold the league record for most shots on goal in a game, with 54 against the Flint Generals on Dec. 17.
Upcoming Games:
Friday, Jan. 12 @Rockford IceHogs
Saturday, Jan. 13 @ Bloomington PrairieThunder
Three of the next four games are on the road for the Flags, and this weekend's trip is a Western Conference loop, taking on Rockford and Bloomington. Port Huron is 2-0 against Rockford, but both contests were at McMorran and Friday's match-up will be a test of the Flags' strength, as they are 4-9-3 on the road. Against Bloomington the Flags have posted a 2-1-0 record, with the loss coming in Bloomington back on Nov. 18. Port Huron will rely on leading scorers Greg Bullock and Colt King for points on the board, while the defense will back up Noah Ruden against the opposing teams' attacking lines.
Final Game Scores:
Friday, Jan. 5 Ft Wayne Komets 4
Port Huron 3 SOL
Saturday, Dec. 30 Muskegon Fury 3
Port Huron 4 W
Sunday, Dec. 31 Port Huron 1
Chicago Hounds 5 L
Flags Season Record: 15-16-6
At home: 11-7-3 On the road: 4-9-3
Conference: 8-12-5 Non-Conference: 7-4-1
Eastern Standing: 3rd League Standing: 5th
International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 8, 2007
- Defensemen contributing on both ends of the ice - IHL 2
- Kalamazoo Wings Week in Review - Kalamazoo Wings
- UHL names weekly award winner - IHL 2
- Chicago Hounds Weekly Notes - Chicago Hounds
- Hogs nab three of six points to begin '07 - Rockford IceHogs
- Komets take six points, pad Western Confernce lead - Fort Wayne Komets
- Reynaert earns league, team honor - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Mallards Finish Home Stand This Week - Quad City Mallards
- Flags Week in Review - Port Huron Flags
- PrairieThunder changes game time - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Generals Weekly Recap - Flint Generals
- Muskegon Fury notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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