IceHawks Grab Fifth Straight Win, 3-2, Over K-Wings

Published on March 11, 2003 under United Hockey League (UHL)
Adirondack Frostbite News Release


Glens Falls, NY – Right wing Frank Littlejohn scored the game-winning goal for the second straight contest as the Adirondack IceHawks upended the Kalamazoo Wings, 2-1, at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Tuesday evening. Adirondack forward Hugo Belanger tallied two goals in the victory. In extending the club's winning streak to five games, the IceHawks vaulted to the top of the overall UHL standings.

Adirondack goaltender Martin Villeneuve earned his eighth win with the IceHawks by stopping each of the 19 shots he faced in nearly two periods of relief work.

The IceHawks' game winner at 4:32 of the third period came after sustained forechecking kept Kalamazoo pinned in their zone. Replacing Trevor Senn on the ice, Littlejohn streaked from the Adirondack bench through the slot where he received a centering feed from left wing Jesse Rooney. The forward backhanded a shot past Chad Alban after finding himself one-on-one with the goaltender. The tally marked Littlejohn's 28th goal of the season.

The ‘Hawks and Wings traded goals over the game's first two periods. Kalamazoo center Pat O'Leary slid the puck just inside the post 1:59 into the contest after corralling a lead pass from defenseman Dan Hodge inside the Adirondack blueline.

Belanger responded for the IceHawks with his 38th goal of the season 1:06 later. Center James Patterson set Belanger up for the tally with a pass from behind the net.

K-Wings defenseman Matt Kruzich scored on a second effort 56 seconds into the middle period to provide his club a 2-1 lead. Adirondack head coach Pat Bingham lifted starting netminder Jason Wolfe with Villeneuve following the goal.

At 8:13 of the frame, Belanger once again collected the equalizer with a sharp-angled wrist shot from the right wing that handcuffed Alban.

Adirondack concluded the season series with a record of 6-2-0 against the Wings.

The IceHawks (39-24-4, 82 points) are now one win away from matching the franchise's high-water mark of 40 victories which the club accomplished during the 2000-01 campaign. The ‘Hawks are also 15 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history.

Adirondack currently leads the Fort Wayne Komets in the Eastern Conference race and the Quad City Mallards in the overall league standings by one point. However, one of the clubs will surpass the IceHawks tomorrow evening as the Komets and Mallards meet in Quad City.

The IceHawks will host the Port Huron Beacons at the Civic Center on Thursday night. The game will be the club's last home game before departing this weekend for a five-game road trip. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2003


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.

OurSports Central