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Machine Jump out Early but Fade late, 6-4

October 27, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Motor City Metal Jackets News Release


Marquette, Mich. - New comer Anthony Iaquinto scored his first goal and assisted on another in only his second game with the Machine as the goaltending squanders an early 2-0 lead and falling 6-4.

It seemed to be another great start as Ryan Misiak held the puck in his own end to find Billy Ballent up the left wing board into the neutral zone; Ballent's vision had Iaqunito streaking to the net to put the Machine up 1-0 just 5:00 in.

The Machine would go on the power-play, which has struggled tremendously, taking all 2:00 to generate scoring opportunities and it was Marco Ruggeri (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) falling down getting the goal. Ruggeri who scored a goal the same way the night before took matters into his own stick and made Kevin Kissaw pay for leaving a rebound.

"It felt good to finally utilize the power-play and go into intermission with a lead. We played tough and held strong," commented an excited Ruggeri.

This would be the first time all the season the Machine would end the first period up 2-0.

The lead wouldn't last long as Matt Romaniski who split time between the starters Zach Hansen and back-up Joe Rogers in the first period saw it dwindle away.

Dalimar Jancovic (Slovakia) took one in past Hansen unassisted to make it 2-1, Motor City. Ryan McGrath took an easy shot from the point to beat Hansen again ending his night early.

Joe Rogers didn't fair much better as he entered for the second time in the night giving up a goal as Garrett Ladd got the Rangers ahead, 3-2. With time winding down in the second Andy Inderieden (Maple Grove, Minn.) was found by Andrew Tate's rebound to pull the Machine even at 3-3 closing down the period.

A good start to the third quickly ended as Scott Henegar made Rogers and Motor City pay for turning the puck over one too many times giving Marquette the lead for good at 4-3. The Rangers would strike it rich again from Ladd and Henegar all while Phil Webb (Brownstown, Mich.) put the second power-play goal of the night for the Machine away but it was too late at 6-4.

Rogers took the loss while Iaqunito and Inderieden powered a goal and an assist. Bennett Schneider would post up two assists in the loosing effort as Motor City scored four goals for the first time this season and extended their losing streak to 10 games.

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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North American Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2008


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