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Generals suffer heartbreaking defeat to Komets in shootout thriller

November 6, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Flint Generals News Release


FLINT, MI - The Flint Generals fell to the Fort Wayne Komets 4-3 shootout in a thrilling game Friday night in front of 2,229 fans at Perani Arena. In the Gens' sixth loss of the season, new comers Bryan Smolinski and Steve Silver both made an immediate impact. The third place Komets improved to 5-2.

Allowing a goal at 5:03 of the opening period was not what the Generals had in mind for the start of their first game in November, a month they and Gens fans hope plays out differently than October. Fort Wayne intercepted a neutral zone pass and turned it into a two-on-one opportunity that ended with a Konstantin Shafranov goal. Colin Chaulk got the assist. The Komets took a 2-0 lead with a score from Frankie DeAngelis when he took a shot from the slot while on the power play, getting the assist from Leo Thomas.

Just a few seconds later Tyler Willis and Fort Wayne's Kaliegh Schrock clashed in the Gens' defensive end and into neutral territory, each getting in their punches, before being sent to the box to serve five minute fighting majors. Flint had a few good chances in the period including a two-on-one with just under 4 minutes to play but was unable to take advantage.

The first period was called with less than two minutes to go due to an issue with the ice; the time remaining was played at the beginning of the second period.

Generals' fans were given a lot to cheer about in the second stanza. Just .53 seconds into play Nate Ward took a shot from the left circle beating Komets netminder Tim Haun, Fort Wayne's lead in half. John Mori and Nick Pernula got the assists. Ward was rewarded for his efforts with another great scoring opportunity just .15 seconds later.

The Generals turned up the heat and .42 seconds after they got on the board (1:35), Tony Tuzzolino held onto the puck long enough with Haun sprawled on the ice and lifted his shot; tying the game. New comer and former NHLer Bryan Smolinski got his first point as a General with an assist, Jamie Schaafsma also assisted on the goal. Flint fans roared when rookie Steve Silver tipped in a pass from Tuzzolino at 11:05 giving the Gens their first lead of the game. Jamie Schaafsma also got an assist on the play, his second of the night.

After holding Fort Wayne scoreless since their second goal late in the first period, Jean-Francois Labbe the Komets' P.C. Drouin cracked Jean-Francois Labbe at 13:35 tying the game 3-3, sending the game into overtime.

After five extra minutes there was still no decision, forcing the Generals into their first shootout of the season. Haun stood tall holding the Gens scoreless, while Shafranov got the game winner and his second goal of the game.

Flint netminder Labbe made 34 saves on 37 shots in his 65:00 minutes of play. The Generals were 0-8 on the power play while the Komets went 1-3.

The Generals head to Dayton tomorrow for their rematch with the Gems. They head back to Perani on Sunday for a 4:00 matchup with Quad City, and an after the game skate with fans.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 6, 2009


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