Icehawks Head To Flint Tonight To Kick Off Three Game Week

March 3, 2010 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks will travel to Flint to take on the Generals tonight before the first-place Muskegon Lumberjacks come to town for a pair of games at McMorran Arena Friday and Saturday. Port Huron is currently second in the IHL standings with 70 points, though the Fort Wayne Komets are just one point behind with three games in hand and are currently riding a four-game winning streak.

A chance for revenge awaits the Icehawks, as they get another shot at the Generals in Flint tonight after losing in a shootout versus the Generals on Sunday. Flint is last in the IHL standings, but has defeated Port Huron five times this season for a 5-7-0-0 record. Only Muskegon, at 7-2-0-1, has had more success against the Icehawks this season.

Port Huron will also have a chance to close the 11-point gap between them and Muskegon with two shots at the Lumberjacks this weekend. Muskegon earned a 6-2 victory when they played at McMorran Arena last Tuesday.

The Icehawks managed just one point in three games last week. Port Huron lost to Muskegon and Quad City in regulation on Tuesday and Saturday, with Saturday's 4-3 loss to Quad City marking Port Huron's first loss in regulation to the Mallards this season. Port Huron's lone point came in a shootout loss to Flint on Sunday.

Home Sweet Home: The Icehawks hope to get back on track in the final full month of the regular season. Twelve of Port Huron's last 21 games will be played at home, where the Icehawks are 18-8-0-0 this season. The next two weeks are key, as six of the Icehawks' next seven games will be played against the teams that currently make up the IHL playoff picture.

Extra Success: Sunday night in Flint Brandon Naurato scored with just 39 seconds left to send the game to overtime. Although the Generals outlasted the Icehawks for a 4-3 shooutout win, it was the first time this season that the Icehawks tied a game with an extra attacker. Down 3-2, goalie Adam Russo skated to the bench to give Port Huron an extra skater and the move paid off when Naurato scored just seconds later.

Working Overtime: Sunday marked the tenth time this season an Icehawks game went to overtime, and the ninth shootout the team participated in. The Icehawks are currently 1-0 in overtime and 5-4 in shootout action. Only Quad City has required a shootout more often, with 12 games decided by a shootout.

Roster Moves: The Icehawks have welcomed several new players in recent weeks as they continue to battle injuries. Port Huron completed a trade on Tuesday that sent brothers Adam and Matt Maccarone to Dayton in exchange for winger Matt Auffrey and defenseman Cody Hamilton. They two former Gems join defenseman Bryan Nathe and forward Peter Flache as newcomers on the Icehawks roster.

So far, new players have had no trouble fitting in. Flache has two goals and one assist in five games with Port Huron, while Nathe has two assists.

The Icehawks have been plagued by injuries all season. Left wing Tab Lardner became the latest player to be placed on Injured Reserve, as he was put on 14-Day IR on Monday. The assistant captain joins defenseman Kevin Hansen and forwards Cory Stillman, Pete Rouleau, Jason Selleke and Mike Kinnie on IR.

Upcoming Promotions: Friday, March 5 vs. Muskegon, 7:30 p.m. - Oversized Trading Card Giveaway. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive an oversized Mickael Bedard trading card.

Saturday, March 6 vs. Muskegon, 7:30 p.m. - Karen Newman Night. The Detroit Red Wings anthem singer will sing the national anthem and sign autographs during intermission.

Ticket Packages: The Icehawks are offering two great discount packages for home games during the 2009-10 season. Family Four Packs are available now for all home games, while Deuces Wild Packages are on sale for all weekday games.

Family Four Packs include four tickets, four hot dogs, and four small fountain drinks for just $44. For just $22, the Deuces Wild Package includes two tickets in the Attack Zone and two beers or soft drinks. The Deuces Wild Package must be purchased at the Icehawks office during normal business hours, while the Family Four Pack is available in advance or at the gate.

Single Game Tickets: Single game tickets for all Icehawks home games are on sale now at the McMorran Arena Box Office, any Ticket Master location or by phone. For more information, visit www.porthuronicehawks.com or call 810-966-3800.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 3, 2010


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