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Friedman Nets a Pair as Motor City Disrupts Bandits, 5-3

November 30, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Motor City Metal Jackets News Release


Boardman, Ohio- Trailing late in the third, Motor City never got down on themselves and used Jake Friedman and Trevor John to get back on track, knocking off league-leading St. Louis, 5-3.

After coming in the first period and striking for a goal via Alec Thieda, the Machine were flying high for the moment.

It wouldn't be long before St. Louis would knock on Machine goaltender Matt Green, as Clinton Bourbonias tied the game at 1-1.

Motor City looked a bit stunned as St. Louis powered home another goal by Dan Olszewski made it 2-1 to close out the first stanza.

The Machine would hit the ice skating in the second but couldn't get a handle on Erick Cinotti as he wiped the crease clean. Green continued to impress for the Machine making every save count keeping it close at 2-1.

With less than five minutes to play in the period, Motor City would take a penalty on Nick Taurence that sent St. Louis to its always dangerous power play. Soren Jonzzon took perfect feeds from Andrew Hamburg and Grant Gorczyca make it a 3-1 edge heading into the intermission.

The locker room was filled with intensity and motive as the Machine knew they could take down the mighty Bandits if they played together and smart. So with the game kept close by Green and a stellar defensive core all around, the Machine went to work.

It wouldn't be until late in the third before the Machine fired into full throttle to get a handle on things as Friedman fought his way to a goal with help from Nick Taurence and Ryan Misiak pulling the Machine within one at 3-2. This wasn't the end for Friedman though.

Trevor John took the puck on the top of the left circle and went top shelf on Cinotti to tie the game at three.

With less than six minutes to play in the game, Friedman deflected a shot from Taurence to beat Cinotti for the 4-3 lead.

St. Louis pulled the goalie late for an extra attacker, but it wasn't meant to be as Kevin Bechard added an empty netter to seal the deal, 5-3.

Nick Taurence finished with three assists, Friedman powered a pair goals and John added a goal and an assisted on another for Motor City. Green was declared the winner turning aside 42-of-45 shots for his first victory as a Motor City Machine. Hamburg dished a pair of assists while Cinotti made 21 saves for the loss.

The Machine snapped a 5-game losing streak overall and a four game bender versus the Bandits moving to 5-18 on the season.

The Motor City Machine is in their first season in Michigan as members of the North American Hockey League. The Motor City Machine are formerly the Southern MN Express, a team that made the playoffs three straight years and twice into the Robertson Cup finals. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 33rd year of operation. For more information, visit machinehockey.com or call (734) 642-0544.

Machine home games will be played at the Yack Arena in Wyandotte, Mich. All games are broadcast on machinehockey.com and video broadcast through B/2 Network.

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North American Hockey League Stories from November 30, 2008


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