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Kalamazoo's Justin Cross Scores Game Winner In Shootout

April 7, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks fought to the end in the final home game of the season on Tuesday, but fell 3-2 in a shootout versus the Kalamazoo Wings. The contest was played in front of 2,270 fans at McMorran Arena.

Despite the shootout loss, the Icehawks pick up a point in the International Hockey League standings. With a record of 44-20-6-4 and 98 points, they move within two points of the first place Fort Wayne Komets. The Icehawks remain undefeated in regulation in their last five home games, though they saw a four game winning streak come to an end.

With just two games left in the regular season, the second place Icehawks have secured home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but still await an opponent.

The K-Wings improve to 43-29-2-0 with 88 points, and now sit just one point back of the third place Muskegon Lumberjacks. Muskegon has three games remaining in the 2008-09 schedule, while Kalamazoo has two. The victory was Kalamazoo's third straight and extended their road unbeaten streak to a season high five games.

Kalamazoo opened scoring with a goal by Shea Hamilton at 7:17 in the first period. As the period wound down, Port Huron's Jamie Carroll notched his 27th of the season to tie the game and extend his personal goal streak to three games. He was assisted by Steve Rymsha and Bryan Smolinski.

The two teams traded goals again in the second period and emerged from the frame tied 2-2. Kalamazoo's Martin Ondrej netted a goal at 5:11 to give his team the lead. The K-Wings held onto this advantage most of the period, until Smolinski beat goalie Joel Martin with just 15 seconds left in the stanza to again tie the contest. Carroll and Rymsha assisted on the play.

Neither team scored in the third period or in overtime, sending the game into a shootout that was decided in four rounds. Port Huron struck first in the shootout, with a pretty, behind the back goal from Nick Lindberg. Kalamazoo responded with goals from Glenn Detulleo and Justin Cross to end the game. Smolinski, Carroll and Tab Lardner missed on their attempts for Port Huron.

The Icehawks outshot the K-Wings 39-29. Martin turned away 37 of 39 shots to earn the victory. Icehawks goalie Ryan Mior made 26 saves on 28 shots.

The game saw just one minor penalty whistled on the Icehawks and no penalties called on Kalamazoo. The K-Wings were 0-1 on the power play.

The Icehawks wrap up the regular season with a pair of road games this weekend. They travel to Bloomington on Friday and Flint on Saturday.

Tickets for games one and two in the first round of the Turner Cup Playoffs are available now at the Icehawks office, McMorran Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com. A complete schedule of playoff games will be released shortly. For more information call 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.

Game Notes: With two assists tonight, Rymsha extended his point streak to nine games (5g, 12a).



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 7, 2009


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