Icehawks And Goalie Sterling Blank Kalamazoo 2-0

Published on March 4, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


KALAMAZOO, MI - Port Huron Icehawks goalie Larry Sterling turned away all 30 shots he faced on Wednesday to blank the Kalamazoo Wings 2-0 at Wings Stadium. The shutout was Sterling's first of the season and a league high sixth for Port Huron.

NHL veteran Bryan Smolinski was also essential in the win, notching a goal and an assist for his first points as an Icehawk. The game was his fourth with Port Huron.

The game marked the second straight Wednesday that the Icehawks have played at Kalamazoo in a morning Education Day game. They won the first meeting 3-2.

With the victory the Icehawks extend their winning streak to four games and their unbeaten streak to a season high ten games. They have not lost in regulation since February 6. Port Huron (35-16-5-1) also takes over sole possession of first place in the International Hockey League with 76 points and has a two point lead over the second place Muskegon Lumberjacks.

The loss was the K-Wings third straight and adds to a rough home stretch in which they have gone 1-4-1-0 since February 15. Kalamazoo (32-14-1-0) remains in fourth place, two points behind the third place Fort Wayne Komets.

Smolinski scored his first goal as an Icehawk with just four seconds left to play in the first period. He was assisted by Steve Rymsha and Daniel Tetrault. The center also played a key role in the Icehawks next goal, dishing the puck to Robert Snowball, who fired a shot past K-Wings goalie Jason Tapp at 15:43 in the second period. Jamie Lovell also assisted on the marker.

The Icehawks were outshot 30-29 in the contest. Sterling stopped 10 shots in each of the three periods to earn his seventh pro shutout and hand Kalamazoo their sixth shutout loss of the season. Tapp made 27 saves on 29 shots. Both teams were unable to convert on the power play. Port Huron was 0-3 with the man advantage and Kalamazoo was 0-6.

For game stats: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=735832.

The Icehawks play three games in three days this weekend. They host the Bloomington PrairieThunder on Friday, travel to Muskegon on Saturday and will play the same K-Wings at home on Sunday.

Tickets for all Icehawks home games are available now at the Icehawks office, McMorran Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com. For more information call 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.

Game Notes: Port Huron leads the season series with Kalamazoo 6-4-1-0...The Icehawks remain undefeated when leading after the second period this season, with a mark of 27-0-1-0.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 4, 2009


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