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IceDiggers to tussle with Phantoms

January 12, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alpena IceDiggers News Release


Alpena MI: This weekend the Alpena IceDiggers play host to the Mahoning Valley Phantoms in what the IceDiggers players and coaching staff are calling the biggest two game series of the season to date. Saturdays game starts at 7:00PM. On Sunday the battle begins at 3:00PM.

The IceDiggers are currently seven points behind the Phantoms and are 0-5-1 in six games against the visiting club. "We have not had the success against them like other teams in our division, the upside to that is we still have them on the schedule 10 times." said head coach Kenny Miller "We need to play our game and play with confidence from start to finish this weekend."

The IceDiggers (24-10-2) are coming off a 6-2 drubbing of the Marquette Rangers on Wednesday night at Northern Lights Arena. The Phantoms (28-10-1) last played when they defeated Alpena on home ice last Saturday by a score of 4-2.

Five IceDiggers are in the top 20 in the NAHL scoring race. Todd Rudasill (Powell OH) leads the league with 58 points, Drew Pierson (Pleasant Prairie WI) 44 points, Nolan Craner (Plainwell OH) 43 points, Erik Peterson (Alpena MI) and linemate Justin Stadler (Livonia MI) each have 35 points. The IceDiggers have the leagues best powerplay with a percentage of 22.61%. Alpena has scored a league high 64 goals with the man advantage. Mahoning Valley and Traverse City are tied for second with 52 powerplay goals apiece, 12 less than Alpena. Goaltenders Shawn Hunwick (Sterling Hts. MI) and Mike Jarboe (Grosse Pte. Park MI) are ranked 9th and 11th respectively in the league in the goaltending department. Hunwick sports a 2.83 goals against average with a .907 save percentage while Jarboe currently has a 2.97 GAA with a .909 save %.

Both games can be heard live on the Internet at www.mvpphantoms.com. Phantoms broadcaster Ron Rinaldi will have all the action this weekend.

Tickets for the big games this weekend are on sale inside the IceDiggers office or by calling Bob Krafft at (989) 356-9812. Fans can also visit the clubs website at www.icediggers.com

DIGGER NOTEBOOK

Coach Miller also announced the team has added two skaters to the active roster.

Defensemen Carl Nielsen (Lorain OH) arrives in Alpena from the Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets of the Central States Hockey League. "Fans will like the way this kid plays he is physical and plays with a bit of an edge." stated Miller. The 6'4" 215 lbs right shot had 14 goals to go along with his 22 assists for 36 points in 29 games with the Jackets.

Forward Paul Kashmanian 6'0" 180 comes to the IceDiggers from the Cleveland Team Development Program of the America East Hockey League. "Paul comes highly recommended from his former coach Ian Fredicks, he will give us another scoring threat." said Miller. The Buffalo NY native spent the 2005-2006 season with the Buffalo Saints AAA program. In 34 games Kashmanian scored 19 goals and assisted on 37 others for a total of 56 points.

Nielsen and Kashmanian replace Logan Toohey and Jonathan Juliano who both are no longer with the hockey club.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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