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Icehawks Face Three Games In Three Days This Weekend

November 24, 2008 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks emerged from a tough schedule last week with two wins and two losses and a grasp on second place in the International Hockey League standings. They currently hold a record of 9-7-0-0 and 18 points, just one point behind the first place Muskegon Lumberjacks.

Port Huron has found continued success on the road this season. They extended their road winning streak to a league high five games with victories at Fort Wayne on Friday and Flint on Saturday, but had the streak snapped by Kalamazoo on Sunday. It was the second time that the K-Wings halted an Icehawks winning streak in the course of a week. Kalamazoo also defeated Port Huron on Tuesday to snap a five game overall winning streak for the Icehawks.

The Icehawks face another tough schedule this week, with three games in three days. The Icehawks will battle for first place on Thursday when they head to Muskegon for a Thanksgiving Day showdown. The Icehawks could walk away with sole possession of first place with a win, but it will be no easy feat. The Lumberjacks have yet to lose at home this season (6-0-0-0). The Icehawks are 7-3-0-0 in their last ten games, while the Lumberjacks are 7-2-1-0 in their last ten. The season series is currently tied 1-1-0-0.

The Icehawks will then return home for games with the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday and the Flint Generals on Saturday. The Komets, who host the Generals on Thanksgiving Day, are currently on a four game losing streak. They have fallen to fourth place in the league standings with a record of 7-5-1-0 and 14 points. The season series is currently tied 1-1-0-0.

The Generals have also been in a slump lately with a 1-3-0-1 record in their last five games and a 3-6-0-1 mark in their last ten. The season series is currently tied 3-3-0-0, though Port Huron has won the last two meetings between the teams.

Shutout Savvy: Just three shutouts have been recorded in the league this season and two have come at the hands of Icehawks rookie goalie Kevin Desfosses. He blanked the Komets 1-0 on Friday for his second shutout of the season. He also halted the K-Wings 5-0 on November 8th. Desfosses is 4-2-0-0 this season and continues to lead the league in goals against average (2.14) and save percentage (.926).

First Period Prowess: The Icehawks have been dominant in the first period this season. They lead the league in first period scoring and have outscored their opponents 26-14 in the opening stanza. Being prolific in the first has paid off for Port Huron. They are 6-3-0-0 when leading after the first period and 8-2-0-0 when scoring first this season.

Special Deliveries: After struggling on special teams in the beginning of the season, the Icehawks have turned things around. They are now ranked first in the league on the penalty kill on the road, killing off 86.0% of penalties, and second on the penalty kill overall (83.3%). They are ranked fifth overall on the power play, with 13 power play goals in 74 opportunities.

Rookie Roundup: Rookie forward Derek Patrosso came up with a big goal on Friday versus Fort Wayne. The tally was his first professional goal and the only goal of the game. He also had a goal and an assist in Saturday's win over Flint.

Milestone Watch: Several Icehawks reached professional milestones last week. Jeff Zehr surpassed 300 points in his professional career with three assists on Tuesday and Jason Chafe recorded his 50th professional assist on Saturday. Other Icehawks are quickly approaching milestones. Tab Lardner is just one assist shy of 200 in his pro career and Jeremy Tucker needs two points to reach 50 in his pro career.

Pack The House Night: The Icehawks and Pepsi are teaming up to present "Pack The House - Morris Snider Night" on Friday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. when the Icehawks take on the Komets. During the game, the Icehawks will pay tribute to the former general manager of McMorran Place Arena and the Port Huron Flags and will unveil a banner that will hang in his honor. Snider was the general manager of McMorran Arena for three decades and was the general manager of the International Hockey League Port Huron Flags for eleven years (1970-1981). The event is sponsored by Gates Roofing, Michigan Industrial Products and RadioFirst.

Magnet Schedule Giveaway: The first 500 fans at Saturday's game versus the Generals will receive a free magnet schedule, brought to you by Dr. Ronald Tosto and Dr. W. Scott Meyer of Bluewater Family Dentistry.

Get Your Tickets: Tickets for all Icehawks home games are available now at the Icehawks office, McMorran Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com. The Icehawks have introduced several ticket discounts this season, including $5 tickets for kids and seniors on Sundays and buy one, get one free tickets for Tuesday games. For more information call 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 24, 2008


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