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Muskegon's Blackned and Motor City's Branch earn monthly honors

April 4, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2) News Release


LAKE ST. LOUIS, MO--- The United Hockey League (UHL) announced Monday that Muskegon Fury left wing Brant Blackned has been named Sher-Wood Player of the Month and Motor City Mechanics goaltender Rod Branch has been named Southern Sports Supply Goaltender of the Month for March.

Blackned finished the month with 22 points (11g, 11a) and a plus-five rating in 12 games. He led the team in goals and points during the month. He had five multi-point games including four two-goal games. His six points (2g, 4a) at Richmond on March 26th equaled the UHL individual game high this season. During the month, Blackned moved into second place on the Fury's all-time goal scoring list. The 31-year-old Weminji, Quebec native is currently tied for fourth in the UHL with 93 points (33g, 60a), second in the league with 43 power play points (14g, 29a), and tied for second in the league with seven game-winning goals.

Other players nominated for the Sher-Wood UHL Player of the Month include: Adirondack center David Burgess, Danbury forward Doug Christiansen, Elmira right wing Nathan Gillies, Flint right wing Mike Kinnie, Fort Wayne center Colin Chaulk, Kalamazoo center Andrew Luciuk, Kansas City left wing Jason Ruff, Missouri right wing Jamal Mayers, Motor City forward Bryan Smolinski, Port Huron left wing Trevor Edwards, Quad City forward Mike Kompon, Richmond right wing David Brosseau, and Rockford center Miguel Lafleche.

Branch finished the month with an 11-2-0 record, a 1.93 GAA, a .932 save percentage, and one shutout. He was in net for all 13 of Motor City's games during the month making 341 saves. He recorded the first shutout in Mechanics' team history on March 26th vs. Danbury. Branch had a six-game win streak during the month and finished March riding a five-game win streak. The 29-year-old Fort St. John, British Columbia native is currently second in the league in minutes played (3,446) and saves (1,694).

Other players nominated for the Southern Sports Supply UHL Goaltender of the Month include: Adirondack's Derek Gustafson, Danbury's Scott Stirling, Elmira's Kevin Kurk, Flint's Nathan Grobins, Fort Wayne's Kevin St. Pierre, Kalamazoo's Joel Martin, Kansas City's Maxime Gingras, Missouri's Jason Tapp, Muskegon's Sylvain Daigle, Port Huron's Stu Dunn, Quad City's Robert Gherson, Richmond's Dan McIntyre, and Rockford's Michel Robinson.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 4, 2005


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