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Mechanics make surge in the Central

December 5, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2) News Release


LAKE ST. LOUIS, MO --- A recent three-game win streak has helped the Motor City Mechanics get back into the chase in the United Hockey League (UHL) Central Division. Last week, the Mechanics claimed a victory over division leader Kalamazoo 4-1, and this week, the Mechanics earned a victory over Western Division leader Rockford 4-1.

After starting the season with a home record of 2-3-0, the Mechanics have now won their last four home games. In their last three victories, which have all been on home ice, the Motor City penalty killing unit has allowed just two power play goals in 22 opponent opportunities (90.9%). That has been solid progress for team that ranks last in the UHL in home penalty killing (78.6%) and overall penalty killing (77.4%).

Rod Branch has been the workhorse in net for the Motor City squad. He has appeared in 17 of the team's 20 games. He ranks second among UHL goaltenders in minutes played (993:28) and saves (463). Branch is also tied for the league lead in wins (10).

Center Adam Edinger is currently on a seven-game goal streak. That mark is tied for the UHL season high. He has four goals during the recent three-game win streak and leads the team with 12 goals.

SCORING IS UP - With a quarter of the 2005-06 games complete, the scoring trend has been on the rise. During the 2004-05 season, there was an average of 6.15 goals scored per game. Through the first 139 games of this season, goals per game have increased to over 6.6 per game.

ON THE LIST - Muskegon right wing Robin Bouchard continues to climb several UHL all-time lists. He has now moved into first on the career power play goals list (180), surpassing Kevin Kerr. He has also moved into fourth all-time with 444 assists, jumping above Barry McKinlay (440) and Kevin Kerr (432). Bouchard needs just seven points to eclipse Kevin Kerr (901) for third on the UHL all-time points list.

Jim Duhart made his debut with the Missouri River Otters on Friday and continues to lead the UHL all-time games played list (783). He also sits first on the all-time shots on goal list (2,976).

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Adirondack Frostbite - (3-1-0) - Forward David Moccia scored his first professional goal on Saturday vs. Roanoke...Defenseman Chris Mei notched his first professional point when he added an assist on the game-winning goal vs. Richmond on Wednesday...In their last five periods of play, the Frostbite have just 22 total shots on goal...Adirondack has killed off 31 of the last 33 opponent power plays (93.9%)...The Frostbite are 0-3-0 vs. Danbury this season, but 17-2-0 vs. the rest of the league...Center Mike Berry has seven points (5g, 2a) during the week.

Danbury Trashers - (2-1-0) - Brothers Mike (2g, 2a) and Drew Omicioli (1g, 3a) combined for eight points in the 7-1 victory vs. Kalamazoo on Saturday...Center Shawn Collymore tallied two goals on Saturday. It was his second multi-goal game of the season...Danbury's 97 penalty minutes on Saturday was a league season high...The Trashers are allowing the fewest shots on goal per game in the UHL (27.58)...Danbury has out-shot their opponents in 14 of 19 games this season and have a 7-5-2 record in those games.

Elmira Jackals - (0-2-0) - Right wing Kevin Cooper notched a hat trick (3g) in Saturday's 7-6 loss to Kalamazoo... Left wing Jarrett Konkle has three goals in two games during the week which moved him into second place in the UHL with 15 goals. All three of his goals were on special teams (2 PPG, 1 SHG)...Konkle is riding a five-game goal streak and leads all UHL rookies in goals...Defenseman Chris Mann is on a six-game penalty streak. He is tied for the league lead in minor penalties (26)...The Jackals have not won in their last eight games (0-5-3).

Flint Generals - (2-1-1) - Flint is 6-3-1 vs. opponents outside their division...After allowing just two power play goals in 17 chances on the road during the week, the Generals continue to lead the league in road penalty killing (90.4%). The team ranks fourth in overall penalty killing (86.8%)...Flint is 7-0-0 when leading after two periods of play...Flint is 7-0-3 in one-goal games.

Fort Wayne Komets - (0-3-0) - Defenseman A.J. Bozoian scored his first professional goal on Friday vs. Muskegon...Center Mark Smith played in his 300th professional game on Saturday vs. Rockford...Right wing Jeff Worlton played in his 200th professional game on Sunday vs. Muskegon...The Komets have not won in their last four games...Fort Wayne is second in the UHL in shots per game average (34.22), however, the Komets rank 13th in goals per game average (2.78).

Kalamazoo Wings - (3-1-0) - Right wing Tyler Willis is one game shy of 500 for his career...Center Tyler Rennette tallied his 300th career point on Friday vs. Elmira...Center Mike Manley leads the UHL in shorthanded goals (4)... Defenseman Greg Labenski leads the UHL with a plus-22 rating...The K-Wings are 6-0-0 this season on Friday... Kalamazoo completed a four-game road trip vs. Eastern Division opponents. They are 5-1-0 vs. the Eastern Division this season...Joel Martin continues to lead UHL goaltenders in GAA (1.82).

Missouri River Otters - (2-1-0) - Missouri won their first two home games of the season as they defeated Quad City on both Friday and Saturday. Heading into the weekend, the Otters were 0-7-1 at home...Left wing Jim Duhart made his debut for the River Otters on Friday. He had a three-point night (2g, 1a) and followed up with two assists the next evening...Right wing Frank Littlejohn tallied his 300th career point when he assisted on the game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory on Saturday...Missouri's penalty kill was once ranked last in the UHL, but has improved to fifth in the league (84.2%).

Motor City Mechanics - (2-0-0) - Motor City has won their last four home games...Defenseman Matt Smith leads all UHL defensemen in goals (6) and power play goals (5). He also has two shootout goals in two attempts this season...Center Adam Edinger is riding a seven-game goal streak...Center Brent Gretzky is on a six-game assist streak...The Mechanics average the least amount of penalty minutes per game in the UHL (19.95) and have the least amount of major penalties this season (9).

Muskegon Fury - (2-0-1) - The Fury have a 7-0-0 road record. Muskegon is the only UHL team without a road loss...Right wing Rustyn Dolyny is one goal shy of 100 in a Muskegon uniform...The Fury participated in their first shootout of the season on Saturday. They were the only team yet to compete in the shootout this season...Right wing Robin Bouchard currently leads the UHL in power play goals (12). In his career, he has led the UHL in power play goals in six seasons...Bouchard tied a league season high when tallied six points (3g, 3a) on Friday... Goaltender Clayton Pool stopped all 23 Fort Wayne shots on Sunday to earn his first shutout of the season.

Port Huron Flags - (2-1-0) - The Flags have won their last two road games and their last two home games...Port Huron collected back-to-back 3-2 shootout wins this weekend vs. Muskegon and Flint. Goaltender Jeremy Symington earned both victories. Brett Lutes, Aaron Brand, and Brad Mehalko each scored during both shootouts... Jeff Cameron is tied for second among UHL defensemen in goals (5).

Quad City Mallards - (0-1-1) - Center Patrick Nadeau is riding a four-game point streak and has points in ten of the last 11 games...Defenseman Jami Yoder collected his first points in a Mallard uniform when he dished out two assists on Friday vs. Missouri...Forward Chad Woollard is two points shy of 300 for his career...Jason Tapp became the first UHL goaltender to surpass the 1,000 minute mark on Saturday. He leads all UHL netminders with 1,054 minutes played. Tapp also leads the UHL with 469 saves and is fourth in save percentage (.914).

Richmond RiverDogs - (1-1-1) - The RiverDogs are 6-3-1 in their last ten games...Dan Vandermeer leads UHL defensemen in scoring with 24 points (5g, 19a) and is tied for tenth overall in the league...Dennis Mullen is tied for first among UHL defensemen in penalty minutes (92)...Richmond is the only UHL team that has yet to play an opponent outside their division...The RiverDogs have been out-shot by their opponents 771-563. It is the largest margin in the league this season.

Roanoke Valley Vipers - (0-2-0) - Forward Louis-Phillippe Martin is tied for second among UHL rookies in assists (13). He is tied for seventh in rookie scoring with 17 points (4g, 13a)...Alex Jerofegevs is tied for second among UHL defensemen in goals (5) and power play goals (3)...The Vipers allowed a shorthanded goal on Friday to Danbury. They now lead the league in shorthanded goals allowed (7)...Roanoke has the fewest minor penalties in the league this season (129).

Rockford IceHogs - (1-1-0) - Goaltender Ronnie Vogel has an 11-game unbeaten streak (10-0-1) and is tied for the UHL lead in wins (10)...The IceHogs gave up a season high 42 shots to Fort Wayne on Saturday, but still won 4-1... Winger Jason Notermann has a point in 14 of the last 16 games. He has 20 points (10g, 10a) during that stretch...The IceHogs are averaging just 16.6 penalty minutes per game in their last eight contests...Defenseman Evgueni Nourislamov has a point in five of his last six games...Rockford has loaned six different players to AHL teams this season.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 5, 2005


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