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Machine Turned Aside 6-3 by USA

November 3, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Motor City Metal Jackets News Release


Wyandotte, Mich. - Wyandotte, Mich. -- The Motor City Machine played a tough game, but it was enough to overcome Team USA, as the Red, White and Blue came into Yack Arena on Saturday night and picked up a 6-3 win in front of a team-record 1,045 fans.

The loss is the Machine's 12h in a row.

Team USA got off to a fast 3-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the game, as Micheal Mersch, Emerson Etem and Stuart Higgins all lit the lamp behind Machine goaltender Zach Hansen.

But Motor City would get on the board late in the period on a goal by Kevin Bechard, his fourth of the season. Marco Ruggeri and Alec Thieda picked up the assists on the goal.

USA would outshoot the Machine 15-7 in the period.

Team USA would add another early in the second period off the stick of Luke Moffatt, but the Machine would answer right back as forward Nick Taurence cashed in a rebound of a shot by Ryan Misiak.

But the momentum would be shortlived for the Machine, as Team USA popped another one in, this one by Jacob Fallon, just over two-and-a-half-minutes later. Fallon's goal, on the power play, was a perfect shot into the top left corner, as he perfectly used a screen to his advantage, as Hansen had absolutely no chance to make a play on the puck.

Fallon, who also assisted first and fourth goals, earned No. 1 Star honors for his performance.

Misiak would add a tally for the Machine a few minutes later with Jake Friedman and Taurence picking up the assists.

With a goal and an assist on the night, Misiak, a native of Shelby Township, Mich., moves into the team scoring lead with nine points (2G, 7A) on the season. He earned No. 3 Star honors on the night for his efforts.

Jason Zucker would add a power play tally in the opening minute of the third period for the final margin for Team USA, who swept the Machine on the weekend.

Jack Campbell made 21 saves in net for Team USA while Hansen set aside 30 shots for Motor City.

The Machine are back in action this weekend, hosting North Division rival Mahoning Valley at 7:10 p.m. both Friday and Saturday at Yack.

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 November 3, 2008


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