Mechanics go 1-1-1 in week 24

Published on April 3, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Motor City Mechanics News Release


3/31: MECHANICS FALL 4-3 IN A SHOOTOUT WITH THE RIVERDOGS

The Mechanics scored quickly and first when just 47 seconds into the game Matt Smith scored his 21st goal of the season. The RiverDogs responded with two of their own to take a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. The Mechanics would take a 3-2 lead off of Peter Szabo and Adam Edinger goals. The Dogs would rally to tie the game late in the third to force the shootout. Only one Mechanic was able to score in the shootout as Chris Gignac scored the lone goal while the RiverDogs managed to get two past Rod Branch. Branch finished the game with 28 saves on 31 shots.

- WITH THE SHOOTOUT LOSS THE MECHANICS TIED LAST YEARS INAUGURAL SEASONS POINT TOTAL OF 81 POINTS.

- 4/1: MECHANICS DEFEAT THE KOMETS FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT GAME 3-2!

Adam Edinger continues his superb season as he tallied two more goals against the Komets. Edinger tallied his 48th and 49th goals of the season, with one coming on the power play. Ryan Van Buskirk tallied the other goal for the Mechanics, again on the power play. Rod Branch was again solid in net as he finished with 38 saves on 40 shots to earn his 37th win of the season.

- WITH THE WIN THE MECHANICS SET A NEW FRANCHISE RECORD FOR MOST POINTS EARNED IN A SEASON WITH 83.

- 4/2: WINGS CLIP THE MECHANICS 3-1

The Mechanics finished out the week with their third game in three days against the rival Kalamazoo Wings. The Wings jumped out in front first as Mark Vilneff beat a screened Rod Branch to take a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Kris Vernarsky tied the game at 1-1 when he walked out in front and fired a shot from the slot beating Kalamazoo goaltender, Joel Martin. The Wings would then score two more goals to take a 3-1 lead and would hold onto that same score to win. Rod Branch finished with 36 saves in defeat in his 67th game of the season.

- KYLE VOELKER RECORDED HIS FIRST PRO POINT WITH THE ASSIST ON KRIS VERNARSKY'S GOAL

Upcoming Week: Week Twenty-Five; Three Games with Playoff Implications!

Friday, April 7th: MECHANICS FACE KALAMAZOO FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN A WEEK

For the second time within six days the Mechanics play the Wings. This time they are at Wings Stadium. Through eight games this season the Wings hold a 5-2-1 edge and a

9-6-2 edge in the all-time series. FACE-OFF: 7:30 PM

.

Saturday, April 8st: THE MECHANICS TRAVEL TO FACE QUAD CITY IN A GAME WITH PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS

The Mechanics visit Quad City in a game with huge playoff implications. Both teams are fighting for the final two playoff seeds and with a win over the Mallards the Mechanics will be all but assured a playoff spot. This season the Mechanics are 2-3-1 vs. Quad City and 4-5-2 in the all-time series vs. the Mallards. FACE-OFF: 8:00 PM

Sunday, April 9th: THE WINGS RETURN TO FRASER FOR THE LAST MEETING OF THE SEASON BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS

The final meeting in eight days between these two teams as they face off once again in Fraser. FACE-OFF: 5:00 PM

Edinger, Szabo, Gretzky Line Has A Name

The great line of Adam Edinger, Peter Szabo and Brent Gretzky achieved the name on March 3rd. "The Assembly Line" was submitted along with hundreds of others but won out on our website vote by an astonishing margin. The other three final entries were, "Pit Crew," "Engine Line" and "Motor City Drive Train." The winning name was submitted by David Bolam. He wins an autographed jersey by the line and dinner at bd's Mongolian barbeque.

Assembly Line Factor: Updated through Week 24

When Adam Edinger scores a goal the Mechanics are 27-7-3, and 31-8-3 when he nets a point.

When Brent Gretzky nets a point the Mechanics are 33-8-4.

When Peter Szabo nets a point the Mechanics are 32-12-2.

Player of the Month Nominees

Player of the Month

The Mechanics nominate Brent Gretzky for the Sher-Wood player of the month for the month of March. During the month, Gretzky tallied 16 points (2 goals, 14 assists) and was an E rating while tallying 49 shots. Gretzky also had 2 PPG's and 5 PPA's and 2 shootout goals.

Goaltender of the Month

The Mechancs nominate Rod Branch for the Southern Sports Supply Goaltender of the month for the month of March. During the month Branch tallied a 9-1-2 record in 692:34 minutes played while making 325 saves on 353 shots. Branch totaled a .921 SV% and a

2.42 GAA and 1 shutout (SO).

Rookie of the Month

The Mechanics nominate Peter Szabo for the Easton Rookie of the month for the month of March. Szabo tallied 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists) and was a +1 rating and tallied 33 shots. Of those 15 points, 6 of them were totaled on the power play.

Player of the Week Nominees

Player of the Week

The Mechanics nominate, Adam Edinger as the Sher-Wood player of the week for the 24th week of the season. This week Edinger tallied three points (3 goals) and was an

E rating in the three games played.

Goaltender of the Week

The Mechanics nominate Rod Branch as the Southern Sports Supply Goaltender of the week for the 24th week of the season. This week Branch was 1-1-1 making 102 saves on 110 shots while compiling a .927 SV% and a 2.66 GAA.

Bally's Three Star Standings

Check out the Bally's Three Star Standings throughout the season at www.motorcitymechanics.com. Throughout the season we will be updating the standings as a number one star selection earns 3 points, a number two selection earns 2 points and a number one selection earns 1 point.

CN Railroad Community Corner

The Mechanics have partnered with CN Railroad to award individuals and or groups in the community that have strived to make this area a better place to live, by inviting them to enjoy an exciting night at a Mechanics hockey game. If you know someone or a group of individuals that have done an outstanding task and are worthy of praise, contact Matthew Olinik at: 586-294-8062 x-100.

Season Tickets On Sale!

Tickets for the 2006-07 season are on sale and all it takes to hold your current seat or new seat is $50! Fans have until May 31st to get the discounted rate on the seats. Don't wait get your seat now and be a part of the action next season!!

Weekly Statistical Leaders: Week Twenty-Four

Games Played (GP): Mike Burgoyne-71

Goals (G): Adam Edinger-49

Assists (A): Brent Gretzky-63

Points (PTS): Brent Gretzky--77

Penalty Minutes (PIM): Tom Kotsopoulos--218

+/-: Adam Edinger--+10

Shots on Goal (SOG): Matt Smith-211

Shooting Percentage (SPCT): Adam Edinger--.241%

Game Winning Goals (GWG): Kris Vernarsky, Adam Edinger-4

Power Play Goals (PPG): Adam Edinger-18

Short Handed Goals (SHG): Kris Vernarsky--4

Shootout Percentage (SHPCT): Chris Gignac-5 for 6, .833%

Wins (W): Road Branch-37

Goals Against Average (GAA): Bill Ruggiero-3.03

Save Percentage (SV%): Bill Ruggiero--.908%

Shutouts (SHO): Rod Branch--3

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 3, 2006


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