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Mechanics weekly review

November 7, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Motor City Mechanics News Release


Mechanics Take 4 out of 8 Points, 2nd in Central Division

Recap of Weekends Action: Week Three Sees the End of a Seven Games in 10 Days Stretch

11/2: SHUTOUT!

The Mechanics stretched their Central Division lead to three points with the stellar defensive effort by both the Mechanics defense and Rod Branch. Branch after all was said and done made 39 saves for the shutout, his first of the season and 24th of his career. In the shootout Konstantin Kalmikov, Adam Edinger and Matt Smith all tallied goals in the shootout and outscored the River Otters 3-1 in the shootout. With the win the Mechanics upped their record to 4-2-1 and nine points.

11/4: PORT HURON GOES DOWN AGAIN!

It was the Mechanics who jumped out first on the scoreboard as Mike Burgoyne (2) beat Port Huron Goaltender Scott Hay high to the blocker side at 3:09 of the first period. 12 minutes later Greg Bullock (2) buried a rebound in the slot to make it 2-0 Mechanics. During the first period of play the Mechanics out shot the Flags 17 to 9. Both Scott Dobben (1, 2) and Konstantin Kalmikov (4, 5) had the assists on both Mechanics goals.

In the second period it was the power plays that shined, as both teams would convert their respective attempts. At 9:56 of the second, Kalmikov (4) buried one in the back of the net with helpers from Burgoyne (2) and Kyle Kos (1). After Port Huron tallied a power play goal to cut the lead to 3-1, the Mechanics responded when Matt Smith (4) blistered a shot from the point past the Flags goaltender. Chris Gignac (6) and Brent Gretzky (5) tallied the helpers. In the third Peter Szabo (1) recorded his first professional goal with assists from Dobben (3) and Gretzky (6). Rod Branch made the start and finished with 26 saves on 27 shots to record his fifth win of the season. The Port Huron goal broke Rod Branch's shutout streak of 93:04 dating back to Wednesday when he shutout the Missouri River Otters for a 1-0 shootout win.

11/5: FORT WAYNES HOME OPENER

After just one period of play and a season low three first period shots the Mechanics found themselves down early 0-2. Mark Smith tallied both Komets goals coming at 8:25 and 16:38 of the first period.

After a scoreless second period, the Mechanics scored to cut the lead to just one. Chris Gignac (3) tallied a power play goal at 10:11 of the third, Greg Bullock (11) and Brent Gretzky (7) tallied the assists. Three minutes later the Komets would score to extend the lead to 3-1 and just one minute later the Komets would score again to put the game to bed at 4-1.

Goaltender, Bill Ruggiero made his second start of the season, spelling Rod Branch who started the last six games for the team. Ruggiero looked impressive making several outstanding saves and for the game made 39 saves on 43 Komets shots.

11/6: SEVENTH GAME IN 10 DAYS

It would mark the end of a tough stretch of games for the Mechanics. Dating back to October 28th the Mechanics have played seven games in 10 days. Just two minutes into the game the Fury took a 1-0 lead after Jeff Nelson beat Mechanics goaltender Rod Branch. Ryan Keller and Robin Bouchard tallied the assists. Eleven minutes later the Fury would strike again, this time shorthanded, as Keller would beat Branch once again to take the 2-0 lead. At 15:42 Keller would net his second goal of the game after another Mechanics turnover to take the 3-0 lead into the intermission.

In the second period once again the Fury wore down the Mechanics defense scoring three more goals. Nelson tallied his second goal of the game at 5:21 and Keller completed his hat trick at 10:03 of the second.

The Mechanics finally got on the board when at 11:01 Konstantin Kalmikov (6) took a Mike Burgoyne (3) pass for a breakaway, after the initial save by Muskegon goaltender, Clayton Pool, Kris Vernarsky (2) buried the rebound to break the shutout. Mechanics goaltender Bill Ruggiero looked impressive after taking over in net midway through the second period. After over 23 minutes of play Ruggiero made nine saves and shut down all Fury chances.

Weekly Nominees

Player of the Week

The Mechanics nominate Right Wing, Konstantin Kalmikov for the Sher-Wood Player of the Week. Kalmikov tallied four points (1 goal, 3 assists) in the four games the Mechanics played this week. He also finished with a

1 rating and notched 17 shots on goal. Kalmikov also had a shootout goal Wednesday in Missouri and a PPG Friday against Port Huron.

Goaltender of the Week

The Mechanics nominate Rod Branch as the Southern Sports Supply Goaltender of the Week. Branch finished the week with a 2-1-0 record, in 156:24 minutes played. Branch also made 81 saves on 88 shots for a .920 SV% and a 2.69 GAA in the three games played this week. Branch also had a shutout streak from Wednesday in Missouri to midway through the second period Friday against Port Huron; total of 93 minutes and 4 seconds.

Upcoming Week: Week Four, Two Games

Friday, November 11th:

The Mechanics travel to Quad City to face the Mallards for the second time this season. The last time these two teams met the Mallards defeated the Mechanics 4-3 in a shootout on October 22nd. Face-off is 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 12th:

Saturday the Mechanics face the Missouri River Otters for the third time this season; first time at the Garage. The Mechanics lead the season series 2-0-0, with the last meeting seeing the Mechanics winning 1-0 in a shootout. Saturday is also a Veterans Day Jersey auction night as well as a rally towel giveaway. The Mechanics will be wearing special Red, White and Blue jerseys in honor of all of the heroes wearing the camouflage and fighting for our country; after the game the jerseys will be auctioned off with the proceeds going towards the Michigan Veterans Foundation.

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-116.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 7, 2005


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