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Mechanics Go Two For Two

February 13, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Motor City Mechanics News Release


- 2/8: ICEHOGS SCORE A LATE GOAL TO KNOCK OFF THE MECHANICS 1-0

The Mechanics returned home after playing 12 of their last 13 games on the road. It looked a little like that was the case early on as both teams were playing smart defensive hockey. The Mechanics had their chances as did the IceHogs but both goaltenders were up to the task as both made some outstanding saves. It was scoreless until 14:01 of the third period when Rockford's Olivier Proulx scored a controversial goal by knocking a slap shot out of the air into the goal. The Mechanics and Rod Branch right away thought it was knocked down by a high stick, but to no avail as it was allowed. Rod Branch was solid in net making 25 saves in his 44th appearance and his 15th straight start in net.

- 2/10: MECHANICS DEFEAT THE FURY FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS SEASON!!

This was the seventh meeting between these two teams and what a meeting it was! Muskegon scored just 2:30 into the game and it looked grim for the Mechanics but they stuck with their game plan and reeled off three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead early in the second period. Adam Edinger, Mike Burgoyne and Vlad Serov were the goal scorers. The Fury then responded with two goals of their own to tie the game and both teams headed into the locker room tied at 3-3. In the third period the Mechanics took it to the Fury by scoring three more goals and took the game 6-4. Rod Branch made his 45th start in net making 34 saves to earn his 22nd win on the season. Brent Gretzky played a vital role as he tallied four points (4a) with two of those points coming on the power play. Burgoyne added an assist to give himself a two point night (1g, 1a), Serov tossed in two assists to give himself a three point night (1g, 2a), Peter Szabo added two points (2a) and Greg Bullock had two points (1g, 1a).

The Mechanics handed the Fury their sixth loss of the season, three of them came by the hands of the Mechanics. Including pre-season the Mechanics have beaten the Fury five out of nine this season.

- BRENT GRETZKYS FOUR ASSISTS TIES BRYAN SMOLINSKI FOR THE MOST ASSISTS IN ONE GAME AS A MECHANIC (SMOLINSKI DID IT TWICE; MARCH 16TH AND MARCH 19TH).

- 2/11: PINK AT THE RINK II

The second annual Pink At the Rink returned, this time with a much brighter pink. The Mechanics and Mary Kay formed a partnership last season and this season it continued to grow as the Mary Kay corporation took part in the game once again as the Mechanics players wore PINK jerseys which were auctioned off after the game. The proceeds from the jersey auction went directly to Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation to help breast cancer research. Now to the game...both teams traded goals throughout the game until Kevin Hansen scored with 1:16 left on the clock. That goal was Hansens' 4th goal of the season and scored on the power play. Peter Szabo and Brent Gretzky tallied the assists on the power play goal. Gretzky scored the first goal of the game for the Mechanics and Adam Edinger scored his 34th goal of the season in the second period. Rod Branch made his 46th start in net and made 31 saves to earn his 23rd win of the season.

- ADAM EDINGER TRAILS JOE BURTON BY TWO GOALS FOR THE MOST GOALS SCORED IN A SEASON

- KYLE KOS PLAYED IN HIS 100TH UHL GAME

- 2/12: KOMETS END MECHANICS LONG WEEK WITH A 7-3 LOSS

After 20 minutes of play the Komets held onto a one goal lead at 2-1. The second period, however, belonged to the Komets as they exploded for four goals to take a 6-1 lead into the third period of play. Chris Gignac returned to the lineup after being out for more than a month, and scored two of the Mechanics three goals. With those two goals Gignac now holds onto a three game goal-scoring streak dating back to January 8th, his last game played. Peter Szabo was the other goal scorer for the Mechanics. Rod Branch made his 47th start in net and made 21 saves before being replaced by Bill Ruggiero who made seven saves on nine shots in his relief appearance.

- SCOTT DOBBEN PLAYED IN HIS 100TH CAREER GAME

- CHRIS GIGNAC SCORED HIS 20TH UHL GOAL

- BRENT GRETZKY RECORDED HIS 600TH CAREER ASSIST

Upcoming Week: Week Eighteen, Two games on the schedule

Friday, February 17th: MECHANICS TRAVEL TO K-ZOO TO FACE THE WINGS

The Mechanics return to Kalamazoo for the second time within two weeks and look to avenge the loss they suffered there on February 3rd. The Mechanics fell behind early and couldn't recover as they dropped a 5-1 game to the Wings. This is the sixth meeting of 10. Through five games the Wings lead the series 4-1-0. FACE-OFF: 7:30 PM

Saturday, February 18th: THE FLAGS COME STREAMING INTO FRASER

The two teams met on January 21st with the Mechanics easily winning 7-2 at McMorran Arena in Port Huron. Through six games this season the Mechanics lead the season series 4-2-0. SATURDAY IS THE RETURN OF ZOOPERSTARS!!! THE GIANT INFLATABLE SPORTS ANIMALS WITH CRAZY NAMES RETURN TO THE GREAT LAKES SPORTS CITY SUPERIOR ARENA!! FANS OF ALL AGES ENJOY THE ZOOPERSTARS!!

Player of the Week Nominees

Player of the Week

The Mechanics nominate, Brent Gretzky as the Sher-Wood player of the week for the 17th week of the season. This week Gretzky tallied eight points, (1 goal, 7 assists) was a

Even rating, and had 2 PIM's. Of Gretzkys' eight points, five of them came on the power play as he netted 1 PPG and 4 PPA. Gretzky tallied four of his eight points in one game as he dished out four assists against the Muskegon Fury on Friday February 10th.

This is Gretzkys' third weekly nomination.

Goaltender of the Week

The Mechanics nominate Rod Branch as the Southern Sports Supply Goaltender of the week for the 17th week of the season. This week Branch had a 2-2-0 record making

111 saves on 123 shots while compiling a .902 SV% and a 3.34 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.

Lower Ticket Prices

Remember fans that the Mechanics ticket prices are now only $5, $10 and $15. Get your seats now or buy prorated season tickets now before time runs out!

Weekly Statistical Leaders: Week Seventeen

Games Played (GP): 2 players tied at-51

Goals (G): Adam Edinger-34

Assists (A): Brent Gretzky-42

Points (PTS): Adam Edinger--53

Penalty Minutes (PIM): Tom Kotsopoulos--140

+/-: Chris Bogas--+8

Shots on Goal (SOG): Matt Smith-157

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

Game Winning Goals (GWG): Kris Vernarsky-3

Power Play Goals (PPG): Adam Edinger-11

Short Handed Goals (SHG): Kris Vernarsky--3

Shootout Percentage (SHPCT): Adam Edinger-5 for 7, .714%

Wins (W): Road Branch-23

Goals Against Average (GAA): Bill Ruggiero-2.77

Save Percentage (SV%): Bill Ruggiero--.916%

Shutouts (SHO): Rod Branch--2

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 13, 2006


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