Looking for Revenge
January 20, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Chicago Hitmen News Release
The Hitmen closeout their 4 game home stand with a pair of games against the Traverse City North Stars this weekend. The Hitmen will be out to avenge a pair of losses in T.C. which saw the Star prevail by a combined score of 18-7.
The Hitmen come in after splitting a weekend set with the Dawson Creek Rage. Vinnie Somma leads the way offensively for the Hitmen of late with 5 points in the last 3 games, including a goal and an assist on Jan. 8th against the North Stars. Austin Cihak 4 points in his last 3 games (1,3) and Cody Damon 2 points in his last 2 (1,1), also have picked up the scoring pace. In net coach Pronger will go with Brennan Knoblock; Knobber won his last start stopping 43 of 46 shots on Saturday against the Rage.
For the North Stars, it will be a chance to show off their newest addition, former Hitman, Jim Albrecht. Albrecht was leading the Hitmen with 16 goals at the time of the trade, will be playing his first game for the North Stars this weekend. Aside from Albrecht, the Stars are lead by Tim Opie ¬â¢s 33 points (14,19) and Alec Shields who has 30 (11,19). Expect Tyler Marble to get the net for the Stars. He recorded both wins against the Hitmen in T.C., stopping 19 of 20 shots in his game 1 start and 5 of 7 in relief for the win in game 2.
Player to Watch: Vinnie Somma, is centering the top line between Gabe Gervais, and Joe Sposit in place of Albrecht. Last weekend the line combined for 7 points (3,4).
Roster Moves: The Hitmen have added to their defense corpse with the addition of Alec Wilhelmi. The 6 ¬â¢0 ¬Â 185 pound stay-at-home defenseman played 12 games for the Corpus Christi Ice Rays without recording a point.
Fight Card: These teams have played 3 games without a fight. Brent Formosa, challenged a few players during the two game set in T.C., but no fights occurred. Shane Piggott had perhaps the best fight of the season last week against the Rage.
Recipe for Success: Expect this weekend ¬â¢s game to be track meets, if the Hitmen are going to get points they will have to shoot early and often. The Stars come in averaging 3.94 goals per game and have the fourth ranked power play converting at 21.61% and that was before adding Albrecht. That said they have the 25th ranked save percentage at .874; if the Hitmen pepper the net they may be able to out score the North Stars.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2011
- Looking for Revenge - Chicago Hitmen
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- Free Autographs, Meet and Greet - St. Louis Bandits
- Monsters Weekly - Fresno Monsters
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