Icehawks Set To Play Four Games In Five Days

Published on December 17, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, Mich. - The Icehawks have been riding several streaks of late, but they haven't always been in Port Huron's favor.

After posting five straight wins on the road, the Icehawks returned home to much different results. Port Huron concluded a five game home stand last weekend with losses against Fort Wayne and Bloomington, which extended its current five game losing streak. It was also the sixth-consecutive loss on home ice. Port Huron now holds a record of 4-7 at McMorran Arena after starting the season 4-1 at home.

The Icehawks will look to reverse the trend this week when they play four games in five days. Port Huron begins the stretch with a visit to Kalamazoo Wednesday.

"It has been a rough stretch for us," head coach and general manager Stan Drulia said. "Hopefully we can go into Kalamazoo on Wednesday and post a win. That would be a great momentum shifter for us."

Kalamazoo is the only IHL foe the Icehawks have yet to defeat this season. The Icehawks are currently 0-3 in the season series with the Wings.

The Icehawks come home to Port Huron for a Friday rematch with Bloomington. Then, it is back to Kalamazoo on Saturday before they conclude the weekend with a match-up versus Fort Wayne at McMorran Arena on Sunday.

A Look Back: Fort Wayne scored three consecutive goals in the first 25 minutes of play Friday to pull to an early 3-0 lead. The Port Huron Icehawks, as they have done all season as the IHL's leader in third period goals, rallied with three, third-period goals but the charge came up short as they lost 4-3 to the Fort Wayne Komets at McMorran Arena.

Port Huron started the rally early in the third period when Tab Lardner put Port Huron on the board at the 6:22 mark. Brent Hughes landed a power play goal 10 minutes later to bring the deficit to 3-2, but Fort Wayne responded with a goal from David Hukalo at 18:10 to extend the lead to two.

Port Huron's Jamie Carroll brought Port Huron within a goal when he notched a tally at the 18:49 mark, but the Icehawks could not land a game tying goal in the final minute of play.

Port Huron goalie Larry Sterling relieved Marty Magers 25 minutes into the game. Magers made nine stops between the pipes, Sterling had eight.

On Saturday Bloomington right wing Sam Ftorek posted a hat trick to propel the Prairie Thunder to a 3-1 win over Port Huron.

The hat trick was the first scored against the Icehawks this season and helped Bloomington snap a four game losing streak. Bloomington was given a huge lift by goalie Loic Lacasse who stopped 40 of 41 shots, including 13 in the third period. Jamie Lovell had Port Huron's lone goal in the loss.

Milestone Watch: A number of Icehawks reached milestones over the weekend. Defenseman Mark DeSantis played in his 900th professional game on Friday and center Kris Vernarsky passed the 100 assist mark for his professional career with two assists during Friday's game. Left wing Jeff Zehr surpassed 1,000 penalty minutes on Friday. On Saturday, right wing Ryan Markham played in his 125th professional game on Saturday and defenseman Chris Bogas played in his 500th professional game.

Several other players are quickly reaching milestones. Eight year professional Tab Lardner is just one game shy of playing in his 400th professional contest and six points short of 300 for his career and Robert Snowball is just six penalty minutes away from reaching 1,000 for his career.

Offensive Strike: Port Huron continues to lead the league for goals scored (74), shorthanded goals (5), third period goals (32) and total shots (812). Three Icehawks are also among the league scoring leaders. Tab Lardner shares the league lead for scoring with 26 points (12-14-26). Jamie Carroll is ranked sixth (13-10-23) and Jeff Zehr is tied for ninth (10-10-20).

Put It On My "Tab": Left wing Tab Lardner continues to lead the team and the league for scoring after recording three points over the weekend (1 goal, 2 assists). He also shares the league lead for goals (14) and shorthanded goals (2). He has scored in all but three contests he has played this season.

Markham Returns: Right wing Ryan Markham returned to Port Huron last week after starting the season with the ECHL Bakersfield Condors. The Houghton, Mich. native played two seasons with the Port Huron Flags (2005-07) and posted 28 points (16-12-28) in 64 games with the Flags last season. He recorded an assist in Saturday's game versus Bloomington. He is the second former Flag to return to Port Huron in the last several weeks along with Robert Snowball.

Power Play To Fight Multiple Sclerosis: Icehawks forward Jeff Zehr has made a commitment to fight Multiple Sclerosis. For every power play goal Zehr scores this year, he will donate money to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Icehawks management has agreed to match his contributions. He has posted three power play goals so far this season.

Turn Out the Lights: The Icehawks third jersey will be revealed for the first time ever during the Icehawks Black Out Night on Friday. Fans are encouraged to don dark colors to put fear into the visiting Bloomington Prairie Thunder. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a black Icehawks T-shirt. Replica versions of the jersey will also be available for sale for those last minute Christmas shoppers.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest: The Icehawks will celebrate Christmas during Sunday's game. Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater and win a prize! The Cardinal Mooney High School choir will also sing Christmas carols on the concourse and throughout the arena during the game.

Practice Info: Team practices are open to the public and held Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and Friday 10 a.m.-11 a.m. at McMorran Arena, 701 McMorran Blvd., downtown Port Huron.

Icehawks on the Radio: All 76 of the Icehawks regular season games, along with all playoff contests will air on AM 1450 WHLS and AM 1590 WHLX for the 2007-2008 season. RadioFirst Sports Director Dennis Stuckey will return to the booth to call all the action both at home and on the road.

The Icehawks weekly radio show "Coaches Corner" will air every Thursday from 6 p.m. - 7p.m. at the Huron Athletic Club, 319 Huron Avenue, downtown Port Huron. Head coach and general manager Stan Drulia and several players will join RadioFirst sportscaster Dennis Stuckey for the broadcast which will air on AM 1450 WHLS and AM 1590 WHLX.

Icehawks on the Internet: All Port Huron Icehawks games can be viewed online live with B2 Networks. Broadcasts cost $6 each and can be purchased 10 minutes before the start of the game. To view you must have a current version of Windows Media Player and a high speed internet connection. More information can be found at www.ihl-hockey.com or www.b2livetv.com.

Get Your Tickets: Tickets are available now by calling 1-810-966-3800, at the Icehawks offices, McMorran Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket information can be found online at www.porthuronicehawks.com.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 17, 2007


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