Lumberjacks Take 2-1 Series Lead With Overtime Win In Muskegon

April 21, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI - For the third consecutive playoff game, the Port Huron Icehawks and Muskegon Lumberjacks found themselves locked in a high-scoring, back and forth battle. This time, however, the Lumberjacks came out on top, edging the Icehawks 6-5 in overtime on Tuesday at L.C. Walker Arena. With the win, the Lumberjacks take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series.

The Lumberjacks got on the board first with a Jon Grabarek goal at 9:25 in the first period, but the Icehawks stormed back with three consecutive goals to take a 3-1 lead.

Bryan Smolinski scored on the power play at 12:10 in the first and Tab Lardner netted a pair of goals early in the second frame. Lardner's first goal came on the power play just 51 seconds into the period and the second just under two minutes later.

The Lumberjacks soon halted the Icehawks spree, however, and notched four straight goals of their own before the end of the second, despite being outshot 17-8 in the frame.

In the third period, the Icehawks scored twice more to tie the contest. Smolinski landed his second of the night at 6:33 to cut the deficit to one and Steve Rymsha beat goalie Kevin Armstrong at 11:07 to send the game into overtime.

The Lumberjacks ended the game just 1:49 into the overtime period, thanks to a goal by Steven Later.

The Icehawks outshot the Lumberjacks 39-28. Armstrong made 34 saves on 39 shots in the victory. Icehawks goalie Larry Sterling turned away 22 of 28 shots. Port Huron was 2-7 on the power play and Muskegon was 1-5.

For game stats: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=979234.

Round One of the International Hockey League Turner Cup Playoffs continues tomorrow with Game Four in Muskegon at 7 p.m. The series will shift back to Port Huron on Friday for Game Five at 7:30 p.m. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free team poster.

If necessary, Game Six will be Saturday, April 25 in Muskegon and Game Seven will be played on Tuesday, April 28 in Port Huron.

Tickets for Game Five are on sale now at the Icehawks office, McMorran Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com. For more information call 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 21, 2009


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