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'Jacks Remain on Top after First 10 Weeks

December 21, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2) News Release


ROCHESTER, MI--- The Muskegon Lumberjacks continue to tear through the standings, remaining in first place after 26 games with 39 points. The 'Jacks began the week tied for first with Port Huron, but have gained sole possession and remain just two points ahead of the Icehawks. They are currently in the midst of playing eight of nine games away from home, completing their first three games of the road swing recording victories. The Lumberjacks have not lost in regulation on the road yet this season, posting a 6-0-0-3 record in nine road con- tests. Muskegon currently leads the league in goals scored (90), assists (145) and overall points (235). The 90 total goals scored gives the Lum- berjacks an average of 3.46 goals scored per game, which is the high- est in the IHL.

The IHL saw two more players called up to the American Hockey League (AHL) this past week when Flint's Pascal Rheaume and John Mori joined the Manchester Monarchs for their contest on Friday. The call up was the first for Mori, who was held scoreless along with Rheaume. Both players returned to Flint Sunday for the Generals 6-5 overtime win over Quad City, where Mori had two assists and Rheaume dished out three assists.

Today, Rochester (AHL) called up Dayton goaltender Ryan Mior for his second stint with the Americans this season. He joined Rochester on December 2nd and returned to Dayton on December 8th. In his first two AHL games, Mior posted a 1-1-0 record, allowing only three goals against in two games, with a .945 save percentage and a 1.51 goals against average.

Muskegon's Tom Galvin was called up to the Providence Bruins (AHL) on December 9th. He was scoreless in six games played with the Bruins. Fort Wayne's Matt Syroczynski was called up to Norfolk (AHL) for his second stint with the Admirals after returning to the Komets for one contest on December 9th. Syroczynski has scored five goals and has two assists in 23 games played with the Admirals.

AROUND THE "I"

Bloomington PrairieThunder (2-1-0-0)- The PrairieThunder tied season highs for goals in a period (4) and goals in a game (6) in the 6-5 victory over Fort Wayne. It marked the first time the PrairieThunder has won the game heading into the holiday break in the team' s four-year history. Bloomington is 13-0-1-1 when leading after the first period; 11-0-1-1 when leading after the second period and 12-2-1-1 when scoring first. Defenseman Jason Lepine has scored at least one point, in the last five straight games for a season total of 11. The PrairieThunder is 4-1 on their current six-game home stand and 10-3-1-0 at home this season. The team record for home wins in a season is 17. Bloomington has won four games in the month of December. The previous best for most wins in the month of December was two.

Dayton Gems (1-2-0-1)- This will be the second week in a row the Gems will play four games in five days. Immediately following the Christmas holiday, the team hits the road for three away games and will be back at Hara on Wednesday, December 30th for their final game of 2009. The Gems have now played 11 games on the road and 11 games at home. As of Friday, they have now met all the teams in the IHL and have won on the road at four of the six arenas at least once, with the exceptions of Port Huron and Fort Wayne. The Gems have three of the top 10 rookies in the IHL. Jonathon Ornelas is ranked second with 18 points and Sam Bloom and Mike Vaskivuo are tied for fourth with 15 points apiece.

Flint Generals (2-2-0-0)- The Generals split their week, going 2-2-0-0. The resilience shown by Flint this week is perhaps unmatched by any team so far this season. After being lambasted Tuesday by Port Huron, they came back Friday to deliver a similar blow. Each of the Generals goals Friday in the 6-3 win over Port Huron was scored by a different player, which shows their offense is not as lopsided as it was to start the season. Then, following a 5-1 loss in Dayton and a 5-1 first period, the Gens found the will to come back and take the two points from the Mallards. Rookie netminder Rob Nolan currently leads all IHL goaltenders in save percentage with .928. Forward John Mori continues to light up the scoreboard for the Generals, ranking third among IHL rookies in scoring with eight goals and nine assists for 17 points.

Fort Wayne Komets (2-1-0-0)- The Komets earned four points winning two out of three games played for the week. The Komets enter the Christmas break with a 14-9-0-1 record for 29 points and share third place with Bloomington. Guy Dupuis scored his 106th Komet goal Sunday in Bloomington to set a new record of regular season career goals scored by a Fort Wayne defenseman. Dupuis now has a total of 115 all-time points as a Komet defenseman, one point shy of Jim Burton's record of 116 points for Fort Wayne regular season and playoff games. Dupuis is in his 13th Fort Wayne season and has appeared in a franchise record 904 Komet games (regular season and playoffs). Fort Wayne native Brandon Warner (D), playing his second season with the Komets, skated his 100th Fort Wayne career game Saturday at Quad City.

Muskegon Lumberjacks (3-0-0-0)- In November, the 'Jacks were 9-1-0-2; so far in December, they have lost only once again, giving them a 6-1-0-1 record. Muskegon is excelling in one goal decisions this season with an 8-1-0-3 mark. Muskegon is the IHL's best first period team, outscoring the opposition overall 31-14 and 19-6 at home. Head Coach Rich Kromm's next victory will tie him with Todd Nelson for most Muskegon coaching victories at 149. Kromm is currently at 148 and counting. Goaltender Sebastien Centomo has dropped only one of his last 12 decisions (9-1-0-2). Rookie goalie Matt Lundin is undefeated on the road (3-0-0-1). Robin Bouchard's assist on the game-winning power play goal by Billy Collins Saturday night in Bloomington was the 700th assist of his 16-year pro career.

Port Huron Icehawks (2-1-0-0)- With two wins at McMorran Arena this week, the Icehawks home winning streak now sits at seven games. Port Huron fans have not witnessed a home loss in six weeks, with the last home loss coming on November 11th versus Muskegon. Goalie Larry Sterling got the win in both of this week's home games and his personal win streak is now at four games. Much of Port Huron's success this year is due to the fact that they have been able to stay out of the penalty box. In Tuesday's victory over Flint, the Icehawks managed to play the entire game without being whistled for a single penalty. Port Huron has only had to kill 110 advantages this season. Only Quad City has spent less time killing penalties, although they have played three fewer games than the Icehawks.

Quad City Mallards (0-2-2-0)- The Mallards are winless (0-2-2-0) in their last four games and have won one of their last eight (1-5-2-0). The Flock has picked up at least one point in three of its last five games (1-2-2-0). The Mallards set a single period team season high by scoring five times in the first period of yesterday's 6-5 overtime loss to Flint. Quad City also matched a club a single game season high by producing five goals in yesterday's contest. Jerad Kaufmann started three straight games in goal in just under 48 hours for the Mallards over the weekend. Kaufmann matched a club single game season high by making 37 saves yesterday against Flint. Linemates Patrick Levesque (two goals, one assist), Mike Zbriger (one goal, two assists) and Chris Lipsett (three assists) produced three points apiece yesterday.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 21, 2009


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