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Icehawks Match Up With Generals Three Times This Week

April 5, 2010 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks will play their final two road games of the season when they travel to Flint to take on the Generals this week. The Icehawks and Generals kick off a three-game series Tuesday at McMorran Arena in Port Huron. Port Huron will also host Dayton Sunday for the last matchup between the Icehawks and the Gems.

The Icehawks and Generals will battle for the 15th, 16th and 17th time as they play for the last three times of the season this week. Port Huron holds a 9-4-0-1 edge over Flint in current campaign. Sunday's game against Dayton will be the fourth of the week for the Icehawks. Port Huron has not had a four-game week since late January. A win Sunday would be the tenth by the Icehawks over the Gems this year.

The Icehawks head into this week's games with a slightly different roster. Rookie defenseman Paul Cianfrini will join the team for the rest of the season after his Erie Otters were eliminated in the first round of the OHL playoffs. Cianfrini will get his first taste of professional hockey after four seasons and 252 games in the OHL. This season was his most successful, scoring two goals and 17 points in 68 games with the Otters. Veteran Bryan Nathe was placed on waivers to make room on the roster for Cianfrini.

Port Huron earned two wins in three games last week, beating Bloomington and Quad City at home before losing at Fort Wayne. Tuesday's 4-3 win versus the PrairieThunder was the third overtime victory of the year by Port Huron over Bloomington. Goalie Larry Sterling earned his first official shutout of the season when the Icehawks blanked the Mallards 6-0 Friday night. Saturday night the Icehawks were unable to move into a tie for second place when the Komets won, 4-3.

With six games left in the 2009-10 season, the Icehawks are in third place, four points behind the Fort Wayne Komets. Port Huron and Fort Wayne will likely meet in the first round of the Turner Cup Playoffs, with the Komets holding home-ice advantage.

Breaking Bad (Streaks): Captain Kris Vernarsky snapped a 28-game goalless streak with a power play goal in Friday's shutout victory over Quad City. Saturday at Fort Wayne Vernarsky scored twice in a 4-3 loss to the Komets. It was the first time in a calendar year that Vernarsky found the back of the net two times in a game. Vernarsky now has at least one point in three consecutive games. Goalie Larry Sterling's shutout victory over Quad City Friday was his first win since March 6.

Healthy Offense: Mike Kinnie scored three goals and two assists this week to continue his successful return to action. Kinnie has scored 12 points in nine games since returning from injury on St. Patrick's Day. The right winger has eight goals and four assists in that stretch, and carries a five-game point streak into this week's trio of games against his former team, the Flint Generals. Kinnie scored three goals and added an assist in his last game against Flint.

Playoff Push: The Icehawks hope to enter the playoffs on the right note after finishing the season against the three teams they've enjoyed the most success over. Port Huron is 26-9-0-1 against Flint, Dayton and Bloomington this season and could finish the year with ten or more wins against each of them.

Red Wings Legend: Tuesday night Icehawks fans will have the chance to meet legendary Red Wings player and broadcaster Mickey Redmond. Redmond will drop the ceremonial first puck before signing autographs throughout the first period and intermission at The Pro Shop. Autographs are free with the purchase of Icehawks merchandise or $5. All proceeds go to Kinney Charities.

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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              810-966-3800      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 5, 2010


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