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Icehawks Take 3-1 Series Lead as Power Play Unit Shines

April 28, 2010 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The IHL's top power play unit lifted the Port Huron Icehawks to a 4-2 victory over the Fort Wayne Komets Wednesday with their second straight performance of three power play goals. With the win, the Icehawks are now just one victory away from the 2010 Turner Cup Finals, as they take a 3-1 series lead into Friday's game five.

The Icehawks scored the game's first goal for the first time in this series when Nick Lindberg sent a precise pass to Brandon Naurato, who then went cross-ice to Mike Kinnie for a power play goal. Kinnie's first goal of the playoffs at 17:23 was the only score of the first period. Fort Wayne outshot Port Huron 13-10.

Icehawks goalie Larry Sterling was involved in a big collision with teammate Paul Cianfrini at 7:42 of the second period. Sterling lay motionless on the ice for roughly five minutes before being helped off the ice by his teammates. Rookie goaltender Raffaele D'Orso was called on to take over for his first playoff action in just his second game as a professional.

The Icehawks gave D'Orso a bit of a cushion, scoring their second goal when Brandon Kaleniecki crashed the net for a rebound goal four minutes the rookie replaced Sterling. Kinnie and Mike Gershon earned assists on the goal at 11:34 of the second period. The Komets got on the board during an extended 5-on-3 power play as P.C. Drouin scored at 18:33 of the second. Matt Syroczynski and Colin Chaulk assisted on the play. The Komets outshot the Icehawks 15-6 in the second period.

Fort Wayne fought back to tie the game when Kevin Bertram scored from an extreme angle at 4:52 of the final period. Chaulk earned his second assist of the night on the play. Seconds later a cracked pane of glass behind Fort Wayne goalie Nick Boucher gave the teams a few minutes rest as new glass was put in. Tense play followed as both teams fought for a winning goal. Syroczynski had a chance to put the Komets on top on a 2-0 rush with David Hukalo with just eight minutes to play, but his one-timer attempt sailed well above the net.

Chaulk and Bertram were penalized 44 seconds apart around the 15-minute mark, giving Port Huron a 5-on-3 advantage for over a minute. The Icehawks capitalized at 16:18 when Kinnie lit the lamp for the second time on assists from Kris Vernarsky and Jamie Lovell. Chaulk left the box with Port Huron still on the power play, and Mickael Bedard sealed the victory with the Icehawks' third power play goal of the night just 40 seconds later. Lovell and Gershon each earned their second assists of the night on the play. Port Huron was outshot by Fort Wayne 14-13 in the third period.

The Icehawks earned the victory despite being outshot 42-29 overall, with Fort Wayne putting more shots on goal than Port Huron in all three periods.

Port Huron scored three power play goals for the second straight night, going 3/6 on the man-advantage. Eight of the Icehawks 13 goals in this semi-final series have come on the power play. Fort Wayne scored once in their six power play opportunities, and the Komets are now 3/22 in the series.

Raffaele D'Orso earned the victory in relief of Sterling, stopping 26 of 28 shots in over 32 minutes of action. Sterling had turned away all 14 shots he faced. Nick Boucher drops to 0-2 in the series, with four goals allowed on 29 shots faced.

The Icehawks and Komets will face off Friday night in Fort Wayne for game five. Fort Wayne will fight to keep their season going, while Port Huron works to clinch a berth in the Turner Cup Finals.

Single game tickets for all Icehawks home games are on sale now at 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 April 28, 2010


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