Komets Hand Icehawks Third Straight Loss

March 17, 2010 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks fell further behind Fort Wayne when the Komets handed them a 4-3 loss in Wednesday's St. Patrick's Day showdown. Fort Wayne beat Port Huron at McMorran Arena for the second year in a row on the Irish holiday.

Justin Chwedonuk scored on Fort Wayne's first shot of the game just 1:30 into the first period, and the Komets kept the heat on Icehawks goalie Adam Russo throughout the first half of the frame. The Icehawks tied the game when Brandon Naurato played Ian Turner's pass off the boards into the back of the net with about five minutes to play. The period ended with the Komets outshooting the Icehawks 12-11, though Fort Wayne managed just three shots in the last ten minutes of the period.

Leo Thomas scored for the Komets just eight seconds after being released from the sin bin after a boarding penalty to give Fort Wayne the lead early in the second period. The Icehawks responded with goals by Mike Gershon and Cody Hamilton. The Komets got an equalizer from Kayleigh Schrock late in the period. Fort Wayne outshot Port Huron 11-9 in the second stanza.

The Komets pulled ahead for good when Leo Thomas earned his second goal of the night four minutes into the final period. Port Huron kept the pressure on, but was held scoreless despite their 13-6 advantage in shots on goal in the third.

The Icehawks outshot the Komets 33-29 overall, becoming the first team to outshoot Fort Wayne since February 20th.

Nick Boucher earned the win for Fort Wayne, making 30 saves on 33 Icehawks shots. Adam Russo takes the loss in his first game back from his weekend in the AHL with the Houston Aeros. Russo had 25 saves on 29 Komets shots.

For game stats: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=1057819.

With the loss, Port Huron is now three points behind Fort Wayne in the IHL standings, sitting in third place with 78 points and a 37-21-0-4 overall record. The Komets hold on to second place, improving to 39-18-1-2 with 81 points.

Despite the loss, three Icehawks skaters were able to keep very impressive point streaks alive. Brandon Naurato's first period goal stretches his point streak to nine games. Derek Patrosso matched Naurato's streak with a second period assist. Cody Hamilton may have seen his seven-game assist streak come to an end but he was able to score his first goal in an Icehawks sweater to push his overall point streak to eight games. Hamilton has a point in every game since being acquired in a trade with the Dayton Gems.

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 March 17, 2010


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