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Fort Wayne and Muskegon advance to Turner Cup finals

April 25, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2) News Release


ROCHESTER, MI--- The Fort Wayne Komets needed six games to defeat the Kalamazoo Wings to earn their second consecutive trip to the Turner Cup Finals. The Komets won Saturday night by a score of 5-2, earning their 13th IHL Turner Cup Finals appearance in franchise history. Fort Wayne won the series 4-2.

The K-Wings jumped off to an early 2-0 lead, scoring two goals within the first 11 minutes. Fort Wayne answered back the second half of the first, netting two of their own to even the score. Kalamazoo's Mark Nebus scored the lone tally of the second period, but the third stanza was all Komets as Justin Hodgman, Leo Thomas (game-winner) and David Hukalo each notched in a goal to help keep the Komets ahead.

Leading the Komets in scoring in the first round was center Mathieu Curadeau. He scored four goals and three assists for seven points, posting points in five of the six games played. Goaltender Nick Boucher was dominate between the pipes for Fort Wayne, starting all six games and posted a 2.11 goals against average and a .942 save percentage in the series.

SERIES "A" RESULTS: 1- FORT WAYNE VS. 2- KALAMAZOO

Game One Friday, April 17 Kalamazoo 1 @ Fort Wayne 3 Game Two Saturday, April 18 Fort Wayne 2 @ Kalamazoo 3 (2 OT) Game Three Sunday, April 19 Kalamazoo 1 @ Fort Wayne 5 Game Four Wednesday, April 22 Fort Wayne 0 @ Kalamazoo 2 Game Five Friday, April 24 Kalamazoo 2 @ Fort Wayne 3 (OT)

Game Six Saturday, April 25 Fort Wayne 5 @ Kalamazoo 3

The Muskegon Lumberjacks defeated the Port Huron Icehawks by a score of 5 to 2 Saturday night to also move on to the 2009 Turner Cup Finals. The Lumberjacks won the series 4-2.

Muskegon's Billy Collins opened up the scoring at the 13:39 mark of the opening period, scoring the teams' first shorthanded goal of the playoffs. Port Huron's Steve Rymsha scored the first goal for the Icehawks early in the second and teammate Tab Lardner scored late in the third, but it was not enough as Bouchard earned the game-winning goal at the 11:52 mark of the second period. Lumberjacks forward Luke Stauffacher netted in two of the ‘Jacks five goals while defenseman Steven Later capped off the scoring with an unassisted empty-netter at the 19:14 mark of the third period.

Lumberjacks forwards Todd Robinson and Robin Bouchard have been the most productive for Muskegon during the first round. Robinson leads the IHL playoffs in scoring with two goals and eight assists (10 points) while Bouchard is close behind with eight points (five goals, three assists). Rookie goaltender Kevin Armstrong was solid between the pipes for Muskegon, earning three of the four wins in the series. He posted a 3.12 goals against average and a .920 save percentage against the Icehawks.

SERIES "B" RESULTS: 2- PORT HURON VS. 3- MUSKEGON

Game One Friday, April 17 Muskegon 5 @ Port Huron 4

Game Two Saturday, April 18 Muskegon 3 @ Port Huron 5

Game Three Tuesday, April 21 Port Huron 5 @ Muskegon 6 (OT)

Game Four Wednesday, April 22 Port Huron 2 @ Muskegon 3

Game Five Friday, April 24 Muskegon 3 @ Port Huron 4 (OT)

Game Six Saturday, April 25 Port Huron 2 @ Muskegon 5

Fort Wayne will face Muskegon in the 2009 Turner Cup Finals. The schedule for the finals has yet to be determined.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 25, 2009


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