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Mechanics take four out of eight points in week eleven of action

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


12/27: MECHANICS MAKE THEIR FIRST TRIP EAST
Tom Kotsopoulos scored the first goal of the game, his third of the season, however, the Frostbite responded just three minutes later to tie the game at 1-1 heading into the first intermission. From that point on, it was the Mechanics who took control and in the process scored three straight goals. Kris Vernarsky and Peter Szabo, twice, scored the other goals for the Mechanics. Szabos second goal was an empty net goal to seal the deal. Rod Branch made his 24th start of the season and made 18 saves to earn his 14th win. Adam Edinger continued his torrid December by netting two more points (2 assists).

12/28: MECHANICS FACE THE FROSTBITE FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AS MANY DAYS
The second meeting in as many days saw the Frostbite jump out to a 3-0 lead. The Mechanics never gave up, as they would score twice to get within one. Tom Kotsopoulos and Greg Bullock would tally the goals. On the first Mechanics goal, Bullock recorded his 600th point when he added the assist. From that point on the Frostbite would tally one more goal and put the game on ice as they held on for the win. Rod Branch made the start in net and made 17 saves in the loss.
- Greg Bullock recorded his 600th career point in just 613 games played

12/30: ROD BRANCH AND THE MECHANICS RECORD THEIR 2ND SHUTOUT OF THE SEASON
MEL "THE MANGLER" ANGELSTAD scored just 2:53 into the game, his first goal of the season. That goal would turn out to be the eventual game winner as the Mechanics and Rod Branch stopped every Flags shot. David Herring and Kris Vernarsky (shorthanded) scored the other two Mechanics goals. Herring also assisted on the Angelstad goal. Branch made 41 saves for his second shutout of the season. The first one came in November when the Mechanics defeated the Missouri RiverOtters 1-0 in a shootout. Mike Burgoyne also added an assist, which gave him 14 points, tying his career high. Rod Branch and the Mechanics recorded their 2nd shutout of the season; last season the team only recorded one shutout the whole season.
- Mike Burgoyne tied his career high in points (14) with the assist on the second goal.

12/31: THE ICEHOGS EXPLODE FOR FOUR GOALS IN THE THIRD PERIOD
On the final day of 2005 the Mechanics and IceHogs squared off for what would turn into be a crazy game. The IceHogs would take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission; however, the Mechanics would score just 21 seconds into the second period to cut the lead in half. The 1:58 later they would score again to tie the game at 2-2. David Herring would score the first Mechanics goal, while Adam Edinger who continues to tear up the month of December scored again, his 11th goal of the month. After the Mechanics tied the game the IceHogs scored to take the 3-2 into the second intermission. Once the third period began, it was all Hogs. They would reel off four straight goals including two just 8 seconds apart. Rod Branch made the start and made 22 saves before being replaced by backup, Bill Ruggiero who made 4 saves on 4 shots.
- Mike Burgoyne set a new career high in points (15) with an assist on the Mechanics first goal.

Upcoming Opponents: Week Twelve, Three Games

1/6: THE DANBURY TRASHERS MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE GARAGE
The Trashers come into the "Garage" for the first time this season and face the Mechanics for the first time. FRIDAY IS ALSO WARREN NIGHT AND KRIS VERNARSKY CALENDAR POSTER NIGHT SPONSORED BY ST. JOHN HOSPITAL, 101.1 WRIF AND BALLYS TOTAL FITNESS. FACE-OFF: 7:30 PM

1/7: THE MECHANICS RETURN TO PORT HURON
Just a week later the Mechanics return to Port Huron and McMorran Arena where they shutout the Flags 3-0 on 12/30. The Mechanics lead the season series 3-1-0 against the Flags. FACE-OFF: 7:30 PM

1/8: THE GENERALS RETURN TO THE GARAGE
The last time the Generals were in the "Garage" the Mechanics came back and won in dramatic fashion. They trailed by a goal heading into the third period and forced the game into a shootout where David Herring won the game on a sweet deke move and the Mechanics won 3-2. The Mechanics lead the season series 3-1-0. SUNDAY IS ALSO ELVIS'S BIRTHDAY. COME CELEBRATE THE KINGS BIRTHDAY WITH THE MECHANICS AND GET AUTOGRPAHS AND PICTURES TAKEN WITH THE KING. DURING THE FIRST INTERMISSION THE KING WILL BE SINGING AS WELL. ALL KIDS CAN GET INTO SUNDAYS GAME FOR ONLY $5. FACE-OFF: 5:00 PM

Player of the Month
The Mechanics nominate Adam Edinger for the Sher-Wood Player of the Month for the month of December. Edinger had an outstanding month which included a record setting 4 goal night at Muskegon a 13 game goal scoring streak that started in November and a player of the week nomination just two weeks prior. After all was said and done Edinger finished with 11 goals, 6 assists for 17 points in 13 games played and finished with a +5 rating. Of those 11 goals, 4 were on the power play.

Goaltender of the Month
The Mechanics nominate Rod Branch for the Southern Sports Supply Goaltender of the Month for the month of December. Branch finished the month with a 7-5-0 record in 707:56 minutes played. Branch made 332 saves on 369 shots and totaled a .900 SV% and a 3.14 GAA.

Rookie of the Month
The Mechanics nominate Peter Szabo for the Easton Rookie of the Month. Szabo finished the month with 10 points including 5 goals and 5 assists. Of those points 3 of them were tallied on the power play (2PPG, 1 PPA).


Player of the Week
The Mechanics nominate Brent Gretzky for the Sher-Wood player of the week. Gretzky returned to the lineup this week after returning home to be with his ailing mother just weeks prior. In his first game he recorded an assist and for the week tallied 3 assists.

Goaltender of the Week
The Mechanics nominate Rod Branch for the Southern Sports Supply Goaltender of the Week. Branch finished with a 2-2-0 record in 227:56 minutes. Branch made 98 saves on 110 shots and totaled a .891 SV% and 3.16 GAA.

New Ticket Prices
Dont forget that in 2006 the Mechanics now have lower ticket prices. $15 can get you center ice seats located in section 1,8 and 9. $10 gets you a reserved seat and $5 gets you a spot in the bleachers (general admission). Groups of 20 or more will receive the group rate of $8 per seat.

Team leaders, through week Eleven
Games Played (GP)---3 players tied at 30
Points (Pts)---Greg Bullock 32
Goals (G)--- Adam Edinger 20
Assists (A)--- Greg Bullock 26
+/- --- Brent Gretzky +7
Power Play Goals (PPG)--- Adam Edinger 9
Shorthanded Goals (SHG)--- Kris Vernarsky 2
Penalty Minutes (PIM)--- Tom Kotsopoulos 66
Game Winning Goals (GWG)--- Greg Bullock, Kris Vernarsky 2
Shots (SH)--- Mike Burgoyne 98
First Goals (FG)--- Adam Edinger 6
Shootout Goals (SOG)--- Adam Edinger 3
Shootout Percentage (SOP)--- Adam Edinger 3 for 4 .750%
Wins (W)--- Rod Branch 15
Goals Against Average (GAA)--- Bill Ruggiero 2.50
Save Percentage (SV%)--- Bill Ruggiero .930
Shutouts (SO)--- Rod Branch 2



International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 2, 2006


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