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Icehawks Top Lumberjacks 4-3 To Force Game Six In Muskegon

April 24, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks kept their playoff hopes alive on Friday with a dramatic win in game five of the Turner Cup Playoffs. Derek Patrosso scored in overtime to lift the Icehawks to a 4-3 victory over the Muskegon Lumberjacks and force a game six in the best-of-seven series.

With the win, the Icehawks cut their series deficit to 3-2. Port Huron can tie the first round series with a victory Saturday in Muskegon.

Four of the five games in the series thus far have been decided by just one goal. After dropping three one goal games to Muskegon in the post-season, the Icehawks got their revenge tonight.

The Icehawks came out strong in the first period, outshooting the Lumberjacks 20-10 and taking a 2-0 lead with a pair of early goals. Bryan Smolinski fired a blast past goalie Kevin Armstrong at 4:49 on an assist from Ian Turner. Just over a minute later, Smolinski tipped the puck to Steve Rymsha, who scored his third goal of the playoffs to make it a 2-0 contest. Tab Lardner also assisted on the play.

The Icehawks nearly increased their lead again as the period came to a close, but a goal was called off as it came just after the whistle.

True to the back-and-forth nature of the series, the Lumberjacks answered back with a pair of tallies early in the second period. Luke Stauffacher netted a goal at 4:11 and Chad Woollard scored less than two minutes later to tie the game.

The Icehawks were not discouraged, however, and retaliated with a Jason Chafe goal at 12:41 in the second period. Chafe was assisted by Rymsha and Daniel Tetrault. Port Huron held onto their 3-2 lead through the remainder of the second frame and most of the third period, until Robin Bouchard found the back of the net with seven minutes left to again tie the contest.

The Icehawks did not take long to end the game in overtime. Patrosso landed the game winner at 1:16. He was assisted by Chafe and B.J. Adams.

The Icehawks held the advantage in shots on goal for the fifth straight playoff game, by a margin of 46-30. Icehawks goalie Ryan Mior made 27 saves for the win, while Armstrong turned away 42 of 46 shots.

For game stats: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=979236.

Port Huron will travel to Muskegon on Saturday for a pivotal game six. If necessary, game seven will be played on Tuesday, April 28 in Port Huron.

If the series is extended, tickets for game seven will go on sale on Monday morning at 9 a.m. For more information call 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.

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