Mechanics Go 2-1 For Second Straight Week

February 21, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Motor City Mechanics News Release


Fraser, MI – The Motor City Mechanics continued their winning ways, collecting two wins this week. The Mechanics are 6-4 in their last 10 games.

Wednesday, February 16 vs. Richmond 4-2 WIN: The Mechanics fought back from two early deficits and peppered the RiverDogs with 47 shots on net to seal a 4-2 victory. David Bonk scored shorthanded to tie the game at one in the first period. Richmond took a 2-1 lead but Tim Laurila found the back of the net to even the score once again. Dan Price and Sean Avery each scored for Motor City in the second period to give the Mechanics the 4-2 win.

Friday, February 18th @ Danbury 3-2 WIN: Brandon Fleenor recorded the game winner eight minutes into the third period and Rod Branch put up a solid performance in net, stopping 43 of 45 shots to help the Mechanics earn a 3-2 road victory over the Danbury Trashers. Kevin Hansen opened up the scoring on a powerplay strike in the first period, giving Motor City a 1-0 lead. The Trashers tied the game late in the first, but captain Blair Manning scored shorthanded to give the Mechanics a 2-1 lead heading into the second. After a scoreless second period, Fleenor found the back of the net eight minutes into the third, in what would prove to be the game winning goal.

Saturday, February 18th @ Danbury 9-3 Loss: With the game tied at one early in the second period, the Trashers took control and dominated the remainder of the game, scoring four more times in the second period and four times in the third. Alex Goupil and Doug Christensen each recorded hat tricks for the Trashers. Jeff Doyle, Ryan Baker and Rick Smith each scored for the Mechanics.

UP NEXT: The Mechanics play an early game in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, February 23rd. The puck drops at 10:30 am as the K-Wings host School Day. The Mechanics are 1-2-2 against the Wings this season. On Friday, February 25th, Motor City hockey returns home to The Garage against the Flint Generals. Flint leads the season series 3-2. The Mechanics head to Quad City to face the Mallards on Saturday, February 26th. Quad City is the only team that has not defeated the Mechanics in regulation this season. Motor City holds a 2-0-1 record against the Mallards. On Sunday, February 27th, the Mechanics return home against the Missouri River Otters. The Otters are 2-1 versus Motor City this season.

Gretzky, Lemieux and Hasek to visit The Garage: Henry Ford Health Systems proudly presents the Zooperstars! The popular sports inflatables will perform during the first intermission on February 25th. The likes of Whale Gretzky, Mario Lemule and Dominik Hashark will be amongst the Zooperstars at The Garage. For more information on the Zooperstars, please visit www.zooperstars.com.

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE: Tickets are still available for all upcoming home games remaining this season! To purchase tickets, please call Ticketmaster (248-645-6666), visit www.ticketmaster.com or stop by the Mechanics box office located at the arena. The box office is open M-F 12pm-9pm and Sat-Sun 12pm-6pm.

Game Time Change: The Motor City Mechanics would like to announce that all Sunday games remaining this season have been changed from 7:30pm to 5:00 pm.

TEAM LEADERS

Points: Blair Manning – 43 (12g, 31a)

Goals: Joe Burton – 20

Assists: Manning – 31

Penalty Minutes: Brad Cruikshank – 195

Power Play Goals: Burton – 9

Game Winning Goals: Burton – 3

Short Handed Goals: Kevin Hansen, Burton – 2

Shots on Goal: Burton – 170

Shoot Out Goals: Burton – 6

Plus/Minus: Sean Avery +5

Goaltending

Minutes Played: Rod Branch – 2367

Saves: Branch – 1215 (ranked 4th in the UHL)

GAA: Branch – 3.34

Save %: Branch - .902

To purchase tickets, please call Ticketmaster (248-645-6666), visit www.ticketmaster.com or stop by the Mechanics box office located at the arena. For information on group rates or season packages, please call 866-997-PUCK.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 21, 2005


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