Ice Playoff Weekly
Published on May 4, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
CLARK CUP QUEST
Game One:
Game one of the Clark Cup Finals showcased the skills of arguably the best goaltenders in the USHL this season. Fargo's Mike Lee and Indy's Brett Bennett controlled their respective nets for all of the first period, with the Ice finally drawing first blood in the second period with a Loren Barron power play goal. The Force's Eamonn McDermott tied the game midway through the third period, and while the game looked to be heading to overtime, Fargo's Steve Spinell claimed the win for the visitors with a goal with 38 seconds remaining. Lee stopped 33 shots for the win in net, while Bennett made 28 saves of his own.
Game Two:
After a scoreless first period, the Ice jumped out physically and offensively in the second period and took a 2-1 lead into the third period on goals from Stanislav Galiev and John Parker. Indiana kept the pressure on the visitors with three more goals in third period off the sticks of Grant Blakey, Sebastian Geoffrion and Brandon Richardson. Blakey led the Ice offensively with a goal and an assist, while Brett Bennett was the winning netminder with 23 saves. Matt Leitner and Andy Taranto picked up goals for Fargo, who lost for the first time in eight playoff games.
Past Playoff Performances:
The Ice has made the playoffs in all five years of existence and is 16-14 all-time in postseason action, highlighted by an impressive 6-1 run in the 2007 Clark Cup Playoffs. The Force is making their Clark Cup Championship debut in their first year in the USHL.
Prolific Players:
Indiana Ice: Mike Cichy has made the most of his first postseason opportunity, climbing to second place in all-time Ice playoff assists (14) and third in scoring (18) in 11 games...Brent Giwdt, Zach Golembieweski and Brandon Richardson are all tied for second in all-time playoff goals with six, trailing Jake Skjodt's (UNO) franchise-best seven playoff markers... With Saturday's win, Brett Bennett moved past Alex Kangas (Minnesota) for most all-time Ice playoff wins in franchise history with seven...Max Cook is riding a four-game scoring streak....Each of Grant Blakey's two playoff scores have been game-winning goals...Fargo Force: Despite his first playoff loss on Saturday, goaltender Mike Lee still leads the USHL in the postseason, posting a 2.11 GAA and a .939 SV% while holding a 7-1 record...Andy Taranto leads the Force in scoring with 14 points (7G, 7A) and has scored multiple points in all but one of Fargo's eight postseason contests...Eamonn McDermott is on a three-game scoring streak.
Club Connection:
Indiana Ice: The two third period goals in Saturday's game by Grant Blakey and Sebastian Geoffrion came in nine seconds which is the fastest two scores in Ice playoff history...Indy has outscored opponents 19-10 in the third period during the playoffs...The Ice is 4-2 at home this postseason and 3-2 on the road...Indy has scored a power play goal in three straight contests...Fargo Force: The Force are the best overall power play squad in the playoffs (28.2%) and are 1-for-6 against Indy... Fargo is 4-0 in the playoffs when leading after one period, but neither Fargo nor Indy have scored in the opening period this series.
United States Hockey League Stories from May 4, 2009
- Ice Playoff Weekly - Indiana Ice
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