Generals Lose Heartbreaker to Beacons

Published on October 29, 2002 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Flint Generals News Release


FLINT, MI – Jim Duhart scored two goals on the evening, including his 300th career tally, but it wasn't enough on this night as the Port Huron Beacons used the strength of a fluke goal to top the Flint Generals 5-4 at McMorran Arena in Port Huron Tuesday night.

With the game tied 4-4 and 47 seconds remaining in the third period, the Beacons won a faceoff in the Generals' zone and Chris MacKenzie took a slapshot from the right side point. The puck hit Casey Harris, caromed approximately 25 feet in the air, fell behind Generals goaltender Sean Weaver, and slid into the Flint net.

The crazy goal ended a crazy third period between the clubs. The Beacons had a 2-1 lead entering the third frame on the strength of first period goals from Mackenzie and Scott Drevitch, while Flint had a first-period goal from Anders Lindin.

Jason Firth scored at 4:44 of the third period to give Port Huron a 3-1 lead, which lasted for three minutes until the beginning of a bizarre 62-second period in which four goals were scored between the two teams.

Duhart started things off at the 7:44 mark with his second goal of the season and the 300th goal of his career off assists from Sylvain Dufresne and J.F. Labarre to pull the Generals within a goal. 16 seconds later, Jay Woodcroft tied it when he converted on a breakaway off a pass from Lee Jelenic. Karel Betik also assisted on the goal.

Port Huron regained the lead almost immediately, as Yannick Carpentier needed only ten seconds to come down the right wing off the center ice draw and beat Weaver to make it a 4-3 game. But 36 seconds later, at the 8:46 mark, Duhart teamed up with Dufresne and Labarre again to knock home his second of the night and tie the game at four apiece, setting up the bizarre ending.

The Generals outshot the Beacons 34-32 on the evening, including a 15-4 advantage in the second period. Weaver made 28 saves in his second consecutive start, but absorbed his first professional loss. Bujar Amodovski earned the win for Port Huron with a 30-save performance.

A complete statistical recap of the game is available here.

Flint will look to rebound on Friday night when they pay a visit to the Rockford IceHogs at the Rockford MetroCentre. The puck drops at 8:05 Eastern time. The game will be carried live on the Generals' home away from home, Unforgettable 1470 WFNT, with the Baymont Inn & Suites Pregame Show beginning at 7:45.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 29, 2002


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