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Mechanics end week with division lead

October 24, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Motor City Mechanics News Release


10/21: Opening Night Against The Missouri River Otters

Just 16 seconds into the game Chris Bogas (1) scored the first goal of the new season, later in the period Mike Burgoyne (1) scored at 16:35 and Henry Acres (1) tallied one late at 18:20 thus taking the 3-0 lead into the intermission break.

To start the second period, the Otters took only one minute to finally put a goal on the board. However, that would be all the scoring in the period as both teams tightened up the defense for the remaining 19 minutes.

After the River Otters scored at 5:12 in the third period, to make the game 3-2, the Mechanics answered scoring back-to-back goals to seal the victory. Adam Edinger (1) and Kris Vernarsky (1) were the goal scorers in the period. After the final horn sounded the Mechanics finished with an impressive four for six on the power play.

After all was said and done nine players marked the scorer's sheet netting at least one point and four players had multiple point nights. Player/Assistant Coach, Greg Bullock had three points (3 assists), Acres had three points (1 goal, 2 assists), Mike Ramsay had two points (2 assists) and Peter Szabo had two points (2 assists). Goaltender Rod Branch made the start in net and made 22 saves on just 24 River Otter shots.

With the win the Mechanics reached 13 wins in a row!! A new UHL record for consecutive wins. The winning streak of course spans back to the 2004-05 season when the streak started. On March 23rd through present day the Mechanics have broken the record previously held by three teams. The win also left the Mechanics one short of the record of 12 road wins in a row. Set most recently by the 2004-05 Kalamazoo Wings. The win also makes Danton Cole 19-2 as Head Coach and Rod Branch has won 18 of his last 19 starts.

- 10/22: Mechanics Look to Tie Road Record for Winning Streak

With a win in Saturdays game the Mechanics could tie the record for most consecutive road wins at 12. It started well as the Mechanics scored first again as Chris Gignac scored (1) on the power play at 6:08 of the first. After the Mallards scored to tie the game the Mechanics responded with an even strength goal by Adam Edinger (2) at 13:31to take the 2-1 lead into the intermission.

The next and last Mechanics goal was tallied by Konstantin Kalmikov (1) at 19:21 of the second period and from there on out the Mallards rallied to score two unanswered goals to force the game into a shootout.

In the shootout the Mallards managed to beat Mechanics goaltender Bill Ruggiero twice while the lone Mechanics goal was tallied by Mike Ramsay.

Bill Ruggiero made the start in net for the Mechanics making 35 saves on 38 shots. For the second night in a row there were multiple point getters for the Mechanics. Greg Bullock tallied two points (2 assists), Edinger had two points (1 goal, 1 assist), Kalmikov had two points (1 goal, 1 assist), Mike Ramsay had one point (1 assist) and Kevin Hansen had one point (1 assist).

The loss left the Mechanics just one win short of the record for most consecutive road wins, however they still gained a point in their 14th straight game. The last time the Mechanics lost on the road was February 26th in ironically, QUAD CITY!

- 10/23: Mechanics Look to Start a New Winning Streak in Rockford

After being defeated by the Mallards the night before the Mechanics looked to start a new winning streak in Rockford Illinois.

The Mechanics went down early after one period of play as the IceHogs took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. However, during the second period Mike Ramsay (1) scored his first professional goal and Kevin Hansen (1) scored his first goal of the season on the power play. Both goals came just 4:09 apart and tied the game at two midway through the game. The IceHogs quickly responded with two goals of their own and in turn tightened up defensively and held on for the win.

Rod Branch made the start in net and suffered his first loss of the season and only his second loss in his last 20 starts, dating back to March 20th 2005. Branch finished with 25 saves on 29 shots.

Other Mechanics netting points were, Chris Wismer (1 assist), Mike Burgoyne (1 assist), Julian Smith (1 assist) and Chris Gignac (1 assist).

Weekly Nominees

Player of the Week

The Mechanics nominate Center, Greg Bullock for the Sher-Wood Player of the Week. Bullock tallied five points (5 assists) in the three games the Mechanics played this week. He also finished with an Even rating and notched six shots on goal.

Goaltender of the Week

The Mechanics nominate Rod Branch as the Southern Sports Supply Goaltender of the Week. Branch finished the week with a 1-1-0 record, in 119:25 minutes played. Branch also made 47 saves on 53 shots for a .887 SV% and a 3.01 GAA in the two games played this week.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 24, 2005


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