Icehawks Earn Point In Standings Despite Shootout Loss

Published on April 6, 2008 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, Mich. - The Port Huron Icehawks fought valiantly against the regular season champion Fort Wayne Komets on Sunday, but in the end fell 3-2 in a shootout at McMorran Arena.

Fort Wayne entered the third period with a 2-1 lead, but Port Huron's Tab Lardner scored on assists from Kris Vernarsky and B.J. Adams at 5:04 in the third period to force the game into overtime.

The five-minute overtime went scoreless, despite eight Port Huron shots on goal and two Fort Wayne attempts, sending the game to a shootout.

The Komets needed just two shooters in the shootout period to clinch the win. While P.C. Drouin missed on his attempt, Konstantin Shafranov scored as the team's second shooter to propel the Komets to victory. Rich Hansen, Steve Hildenbrand, and Jamie Lovell all missed on their attempts for Port Huron.

Fort Wayne struck first with a goal from Terry Marchant at 5:44 in the first period. Five minutes later, Port Huron's Mark DeSantis converted on the power play to tie the game. He was assisted by Jamie Carroll, who extended his point streak to six games with the helper.

The game then went scoreless for the remainder of the first period and much of the second, until Fort Wayne's Konstantin Shafranov scored shorthanded at 17:24 in the second stanza and Lardner scored in the third period to tie the game.

Fort Wayne goalie Nick Boucher stopped 32 of 34 shots for his 23rd win of the season, while Port Huron netminder Larry Sterling turned away 22 of 24 shots in the loss. Port Huron converted on one of six power play opportunities, while Fort Wayne was 0-2 on the power play.

The win boosted first place Fort Wayne's winning streak to eight games and snapped a three game winning streak for Port Huron. Despite the loss, the Icehawks picked up a point in the International Hockey League standings.

The Icehawks, who clinched a playoff berth on Friday, now need just one point to clinch second place and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. With a record of 40-29-2-3 and 84 points, they currently lead third place Flint by seven points and fourth place Muskegon by 11 points.

The Icehawks have just two games remaining in the regular season; a home and home series with Kalamazoo. They will host the K-Wings on Friday, then travel to Kalamazoo on Saturday for the final game of the regular season.

Game Notes...Lardner extended his point streak to six games (4g, 5a) with a goal tonight, while Kris Vernarksy extended his point streak to seven games and his assist streak to four games with one helper.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 6, 2008


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