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Michigan Warriors Weekend Summary

March 4, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Michigan Warriors News Release


The Michigan Warriors came into play this weekend, seven points back of the Springfield Jr. Blues for the sixth and final playoff spot in the NAHL's North Division. They welcomed in the Jamestown Ironmen for the first time since the opening weekend of the regular season. Goaltender Trevor Gorsuch was in search of his 12th win of the season, while Jamestown started Joey Ballmer, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the USHL.

The Warriors scored first when Colin Larkin received a pass from Zack Szajner and broke in behind the defense. He deked Ballmer, and beat him on the left pad side. The Warriors took a 1-0 advantage at 14:21. The Ironmen answered back quickly. Matt Lanzillotti tied the game at 16:02 on a shot from the point that redirected off of a Michigan Warrior forward. The teams were tied at one apiece after the first. Shots were 19-15, Jamestown.

The teams skated to an even second period until the Warriors went up again at 17:19 on Connor Lyons' 12th goal of the season. A turnover at center ice lead to a 3-on-1 for the Warriors. Jon Farkas slid a pass across to Lyons who buried the puck on a one-timer. The Warriors had a 2-1 lead going into the third.

Third periods have not been so kind to the Warriors this season, and tonight was no different. Jamestown would score three times in the third period. The third was the game-winning goal coming off the stick of Tyler Dunagan at 18:22. The Warriors took a 4-3 loss, despite a two point night for Zack Szajner and a 40 save performance from Trevor Gorsuch.

Saturday night became a must win for the Warriors. With only nine games left in the season, the Warriors had to begin making up ground on Springfield. Dillon Kelley made the start between the pipes for the Warriors. He faced former Odessa Jackelope, Blake Wojtala.

After a low intensity first period, the teams picked it up mid-way through the second period. Victor Johansson scored first for the Ironmen after he curled from the right wing into the slot, and fired a hard wrister that was stopped by Kelley. The Warrior goaltender didn't get all of it, however and Johnsson followed it up for his eight goal of the season. Soon after, the Warriors would get two goals from unlikely sources. Luke Fiegl scored his second of the year at 13:15 to tie. Jake Faiella scored his fourth of the year at 13:53 and the Warriors had taken the lead. At 15:20, Colin Larkin recieved a penalty shot when he was tripped up on a breakaway by Ironmen Defenseman Kenny Curtis. Larkin lost the puck during the shot, but was able to recover in time to slip the puck between the pads of Wojtala. The Warriors took a 3-1 to the locker room.

In the third, the Warriors played tight checking, shut down hockey. Dillon Kelley made 17 stops in the third and 40 in the game to solidify a 3-1 Warriors victory on Saturday night.

The Warriors host Springfield this weekend at Perani Arena. Tickets for the games on Friday and Saturday night are only $7 and can be purchased at the Perani Arena Box Office. If you can't make the game, you can always watch on FASTHockey or listen to the game by following the link on the mywarriors.co home page.

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