Icehawks down Generals, 7-1
April 5, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release
PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks scored three goals in the first 11 minutes of play on Saturday and never looked back as they defeated the Flint Generals by a decisive margin of 7-1 at McMorran Arena.
The Icehawks win their third consecutive game and improve to 43-20-6-3 with 95 points. The victory, coupled with a Muskegon loss versus Fort Wayne, gives the second place Icehawks a six point lead over third place Muskegon in the International Hockey League standings. They trail first place Fort Wayne by five points with just four games remaining in the regular season.
Four Icehawks turned in multi-point games in the win. Kris Vernarsky and Jamie Carroll each had two goals and one assist, and Steve Rymsha and Paul Esdale each netted one goal and a pair of helpers.
The Icehawks outshot the Generals 19-7 in the first period and were rewarded with an early three goal lead.
Carroll scored twice in the first ten minutes of play to give Port Huron the early advantage. The first goal came at 1:31 and was assisted by Steve Rymsha. The second was at 9:27 on a pass from Esdale.
Just over a minute after Carroll's second tally, defenseman Kevin O'Connor scored his first professional goal to increase the Icehawks lead. He was assisted by Nick Lindberg and Vernarsky.
The Generals got on the board in the second period when A.J. Bozoian beat goalie Ryan Mior at 4:47. The Icehawks fired back before the end of the frame, however, and made it a 4-1 game with a goal by Esdale at 14:00. Rymsha and Derek Merlini were credited with the assists.
In the third period, Port Huron put the game away with three more goals. Vernarsky scored at 4:38 and again with just one minute left to play. The second tally was shorthanded. Rymsha also added a goal at 11:24 in the period.
The win marked the third straight meeting between Port Huron and Flint that the Icehawks have won in dominating fashion. Including tonight's game, they have outscored the Generals by a combined margin of 24-3 in their last three matchups.
The Icehawks held the advantage in shots on goal, 43-25. Mior made 24 saves on 25 shots to improve to 11-2-2-2 on the season. Flint goalie Chad Alban made 36 saves on 43 shots. Both teams were scoreless on the power play. Port Huron was 0-2 with the man advantage and Flint was 0-4.
The Icehawks will battle for home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs when they host the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets for kids 14-and-under and seniors 62-and-over are just $5 and hot dogs at McMorran Arena are only $1.
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.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 5, 2009
- Kalamazoo Moves to Within Three Points of Third Place with 3-1 Victory Over Bloomington - Kalamazoo Wings
- Port Huron Guarantees At Least A Second Place Finish With 5-2 Win Over Lumberjacks - Port Huron Icehawks
- Kalamazoo hangs on to beat PrarireThunder - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Icehawks down Generals, 7-1 - Port Huron Icehawks
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