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Machine Drop Series Finale 3-1 to Ice Diggers

November 24, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Motor City Metal Jackets News Release


Wyandotte, Mich. - Nate Taurence (Trenton, Mich.) bagged his first goal of season in the losing effort as Motor City loses its third straight, 3-1, before a crowd of 500 at Yack Arena.

It was another case of not getting many shots on net and little scoring chances for both teams as they struggled to get things moving offensively.

It would be Taurence who put the Machine ahead with a blast from the point that was assisted by Jake Friedman.

Andy Yaber slipped in shorthanded but was turned aside by Matt Green's wide angled play on the puck to keep the game at 1-0 Machine.

The Machine skated to the first intermission with a 1-0 lead with only five shots on net. Meanwhile Alpena put just six shots on Motor City's Green.

Untimely infractions cost the Machine late in the second as Phil Webb was whistled for hooking and Alpena went to work.

Using their power line of Jim McCusker, Ryan Timar and Erik Peterson, the Ice Diggers dug deep and Timar was rewarded with the power-play goal tying the game at 1-1.

The Machine had no answer as Alpena continued to struggle on the man advantage and at times the penalty kill. The second frame closed with both teams tied at 1-1.

Alpena moved the puck very well creating more and more scoring chances that opened up a lead they never gave back to the Machine. Yarber would get redemption, though, as he buried a top shelf goal with over 12:00 to play in the game.

This wouldn't be the end of scoring for Alpena as they put the game away with Josh Nicol's tipped goal out in front of Green making 3-1.

Motor City used some late penalties to generate some power-plays but couldn't get things skating upwards by dropping the series finale 3-1 to Alpena.

Motor prepares for the North Division Showcase in Youngstown, Ohio November 27-29 facing off against Traverse City, St. Louis and Mahoning Valley. Further details to follow on machinehockey.com.

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.

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