Icehawks Six Points From Clinching IHL Playoff Berth

Published on March 31, 2008 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, Mich. - The Port Huron Icehawks picked up five of six possible points in the International Hockey League standings last week and now find themselves just six points away from clinching a playoff berth with two weeks left to play in the regular season.

The second place Icehawks shutout Bloomington on Wednesday, then posted a win and a shootout loss in a crucial two game series with third place Flint on Friday and Saturday to improve their record to 36-29-2-4 with 77 points in the standings. They lead Flint by four points, fourth place Muskegon by six points and fifth place Kalamazoo by seven points. Bloomington continues to fight for a playoff spot at sixth place with 63 points in the standings.

With four games in five days this week, they could clinch a playoff berth as soon as Saturday. They will host Bloomington on Wednesday and Muskegon on Friday, travel to Kalamazoo on Saturday and return home on Sunday to host the first place and regular season champion Fort Wayne Komets. After this week, the Icehawks will wrap up the regular season with a home and home series versus Kalamazoo.

The Icehawks lead the season series with Bloomington (9-3-0-2), Muskegon (8-4-1-1), and Kalamazoo (7-5-0-0), but trail the season series with Fort Wayne (3-11-0).

A Look Back: The Icehawks kicked off the week with a bang and posted a 2-0 shutout over Bloomington on Wednesday. Marty Magers turned away 30 shots to blank the PrairieThunder. It was his first shutout of the season and the Icehawks second overall. Netminder Larry Sterling shutout Bloomington 4-0 on November 23.

On Friday, Brent Hughes notched a natural hat trick to boost the Icehawks a 8-2 win over the Flint Generals. Hughes was assisted on all three goals by center Steve Hildenbrand, who extended his assist streak to four games. Hildenbrand has been on a tear, with seven points (1g, 6a) in his last five games. His streak was snapped on Saturday. Amateur Kerry Bowman, who was signed to a professional tryout on Wednesday, also assisted on two of Hughes' goals to record his first professional points.

On Saturday, the Icehawks wrapped up the regular season series with Flint with a 5-4 shootout loss at McMorran Arena. Port Huron burst out of the gate with a two goal lead early in the first, but by the end of the third period found themselves trailing 4-3. Jeff Zehr notched the game tying goal at 18:09 to send the game into overtime. The five-minute overtime was scoreless, which sent the game in a shootout round. Flint, who was winless in nine previous shootout games, found their first shootout win of the season with goals from their first two shooters. The Icehawks concluded the series with Flint with a 9-6-0-1 advantage.

Roster Moves: Center Jereme Tendler was released from his professional tryout today. The amateur from American International College was signed to a PTO on March 21 and notched his professional goal that evening versus Fort Wayne. According to Head Coach and General Manager Stan Drulia, Tendler had previous commitments at college and may return this season. In other roster moves, forward Mike Olynyk was moved to 21-Day IR (03/09/08) and forward Jeremy Tucker was moved to 14-Day IR (03/20/08). Defenseman Jeremy Leroux remains on 10-Day IR (03/23/08).

On A Tear: Defenseman Jamie Lovell recorded assists in all three of the Icehawks games last weekend. He now has points in seven of his last eight games with eight points (3g, 5a) and two shootout goals in that span. Left wing Jeff Zehr has also been on a tear with points in 12 of his last 15 games. He has seven goals and seven assists in that span.

Milestone Watch: Several Icehawks recorded milestones last week. On Wednesday, Steve Hildenbrand recorded his 100th career goal and Marty Magers surpassed 5,000 minutes in his professional career. On Friday, Hildenbrand played in his 350th career game and Joe Markusen played in his 200th career game. Several Icehawks are also approaching milestones. Robert Snowball needs one assist to reach 50 helpers in his career, Rich Hansen is two goals shy of 50 in his pro career, Donnie Margettie needs just five points to reach 500 in his career, and Jamie Lovell is just three assists shy of 50 in his pro career.

Straight Shooters: The Icehawks outshot their opponent in all three games last week and have now outshot their opponent in their last nine consecutive games. In total, they have outshot their opponents in 49 of 70 games this season.

Practice Info: Team practices are open to the public and held Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and most Friday's from 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 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. Walk-up tickets for children 14 and under and senior citizens 62 and over are just $5 when purchased on game days at the Port Huron Icehawks office or the McMorran Arena box office. For more info call 810-966-3800.

Season Tickets On Sale Now: The Port Huron Icehawks are coming back for another season. Don't miss a single minute of the hard-hitting checks, amazing goals and smooth saves. Season ticket packages for the 08-09 season are on sale now! Tickets are not only packed with great incentives, but are more affordable than ever. Packages are just $539 for center ice seats and $349 for all other sections. Reserve your seats now. Visit the Icehawks office or call 810-966-3800.

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



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 31, 2008


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