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Generals Fall In Penalty Ridden Contest Vs. Icehawks

October 24, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Flint Generals News Release


FLINT, MI - The Flint Generals, proud members of the IHL, fell short in their first regular season matchup against the Port Huron IceHawks Friday night, losing 4-2 at McMorran Arena. Friday's game was the first in this weekend's home and home series between these rivals.

The game started with a bang, when less than four minutes into the first Flint's Craig Cescon and Port Huron's Mike Bray dropped gloves, each getting five minutes for fighting. The fisticuffs boosted the IceHawk energy and lead to the first goal of the night when Port Huron's Cory Stillman took a pass from Derek Patrosso across the crease and beat Jean-Francois Labbe high on his stick side. The goal was scored at the 4:45 mark, Nick Lindberg also got an assist on the play. The Generals did not waste much time getting even. Two minutes after Stillman's goal, Flint's Jamie Schaafsma snuck one past IceHawk Adam Russo.

Early in the second period, Kris Vernarsky lit the lamp at the 3:54 mark with an unassisted goal while on the penalty kill for Port Huron. About halfway through the period there was more extracurricular activity involving Cescon, this time roughing it up with Cory Stillman. The Generals had their chances in the second but it was not until 19:05 that they were able to even the score once again with a goal from Nate Ward. Tyler Willis and Henry Burke assisted on the goal. With the score tied at 2-2 heading into the third, the Generals were down a man having lost Tony Tuzzolino in the second after being shaken up from an open ice hit.

The third period began much like the first, when Flint's Derek Parker mixed it up with IceHawk Adam Maccarone just over five minutes into the final stage, dancing along the boards in front of the penalty box, where both players ended up. When the ice settled the Generals got the short end of the stick, facing a five minute penalty kill after Parker was assessed five minutes for fighting, five minutes for elbowing, along with a game misconduct. Two minutes into the extended penalty kill, Flint was dealt another penalty when Martinka was given two minutes for roughing; forcing the Generals into a five on three situation.

Flint's penalty killing was holding strong and it looked as if the Generals would remain perfect on the penalty kill until Stillman got his second goal of the night at 9:06 of last period. Tab Lardner and Daniel Tetrault got the assists on the first power play goal allowed by the Generals this season, who were short handed a season high thirteen times Saturday. Flint would create some chances to tie the game for a third time but were forced to pull Labbe with 1:22 remaining

in regulation and down by one. The Gens blocked shot after shot but Stillman was able to find the empty net at 19:11, giving him the hat-trick and giving the Generals their second loss in as many games.

Flint's J-F Labbe is now just one game away from playing in 900 career games. This achievement will come Saturday night at Perani Arena if he is given the start.

Fans in attendance Saturday will surely feel the heat. After the more than chilly temperatures during opening weekend, the mechanical troubles plaguing the Perani Arena heating system have been fixed. Tickets are available for Saturday's game at the Perani Arena Ticket Office or through Ticketmaster ( www.ticketmaster.com).



International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 24, 2009


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