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Machine Clawed by the Bobcats, 4-1

September 18, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Motor City Metal Jackets News Release

Blaine, Minn. - It was another high pressure start for both of these squads as Michigan native Cody Keefer (Big Rapids, Mich.) snagged a hat trick en route to the victory for Bismarck.

The Machine came out with more fire with the early start but couldn't solve Bobcat's tender David Bosner (St. Louis, MO) who made big save after save. Joe Rogers (Marysville, Mich.) kept things tight himself turning aside six of seven shots he faced Keefer buried a power-play rebound pinning the Machine back, 1-0. Bosner would see 18 shots from the Machine and that still wasn't enough as he kept the front and backdoor closed early and often. All in all it was a good showing by both teams except the Bobcats came away on top at the end of the first, 1-0.

Another see-saw battle would begin play in the second while shots, hits and saves were dead on. The Machine would skate a man up to open the period but couldn't find enough rhythm to make anything stick. It didn't help that Bosner continued to wash out scoring chances and shots on a regular basis.

Things would start to get interesting towards the end of the stanza as the Machine got trapped into turning the puck over right in front of their own net costing them a goal once again by Keefer. It would take only: 32 for the Keefer-fed Bobcats to strike again giving them a commanding 3-0 lead with less than two minutes to play. That would be the end of the scoring though as Ali Dakroub (Deerborn, Mich.) found Kevin Bechard for the Machine's first goal making it 3-1 as time expired.

The third period saw the wear and tear of the early start grind on the Machine as they couldn't maintain much momentum in their offensive zone getting caught off sides and out of positions for plays. The Bobcats would end up getting a late empty net goal and take the contest 4-1 moving both teams to 1-1 on thsi young season.

Keefer finished with three goals and Jordan Singer tagged a paid of assists while Bosner made 37 saves for the win. Rogers took the loss and Bechard got the only goal as the Machien prepare for Fairbanks on Friday.

The Motor City Machine is in their first season in Michigan as members of the North American Hockey League. The Motor City Machine are formerly the Southern MN Express in which they made the playoffs three straight years and twice into the Robertson Cup finals. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 33rd year of operation. For more information, visit machinehockey.com or call (734) 642-0544.

Machine home games will be played at the Yack Arena in Wyandotte, Mich. All games are broadcast on machinehockey.com and video broadcast through B/2 Network.

North American Hockey League Stories from September 18, 2008

Special Teams Key As Phantoms Oust Outlaws 4-1 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
U.S. National Under-17 Team Defeats Owatonna, 7-1, at NAHL Showcase - U.S. National Team
Avalanche fell TC, 4-3 - Traverse City North Stars
Machine Clawed by the Bobcats, 4-1 - Motor City Metal Jackets
Jr. Blues Rally Falls Shart; Lose opener to Fairbanks 4-3 - Springfield Jr. Blues
RoadRunners take opener - Topeka Pilots
U.S. National Under-18 Team Drops 3-2 Decision to Wichita Falls in OT - U.S. National Team

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Machine Clawed by the Bobcats, 4-1

North American Hockey League Stories from September 18, 2008

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