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Not so Halloween as USA Carves a Shutout, 4-0

November 1, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Motor City Metal Jackets News Release


Ann Arbor, Mich. - Zach Hansen and the Machine were ousted 4-0 by Team USA at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor Friday night.

A great start to the game had Motor City playing the puck and making big saves in net as Hansen looked refreshed and sharp. It was an offensive struggle on both ends of the ice, as the Machine posted just four shots to USA's seven. Motor City would have a point blank chance on tender Will Yanakeff but Anthony Olson hit his facemask. The period would end in a scoreless tie.

The second stanza would open with a poor defensive draw for the Machine and Hansen could turn aside so many shots without help before Jason Zucker got the goal to give Team USA a 1-0 edge.

A penalty-free first period was replaced by the Machine having a few advantages and not capitalizing on them. As Team USA went to clear the puck, Zucker found Nick Shore and Shore went coast-to-coast for a wide-open short-handed shot on Hansen that counted for a 2-0 lead.

Nick Grams came in on a breakaway but no holes were open and USA maintained the lead and would add a goal late in the period by Stuart Higgins making 3-0.

The third was more of the same for Motor City as they continued to find unanswered goals on Zanakeff while he pitched the shutout. Frankie Simonelli would tally another goal late to close the book at 4-0 Team USA.

Hansen made 34 saves on 38 shots taking the loss while Zanakeff pushed away 19 for his third win and second shutout. Zucker added a goal and an assist for USA while Shore had the only special teams goal. Motor City now has lost 11 in a row, staying in the cellar of the North Division.

The Motor City Machine is in their first season in Michigan as members of the North American Hockey League. The Motor City Machine are formerly the Southern MN Express in which they made the playoffs three straight years and twice into the Robertson Cup finals. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 33rd year of operation. For more information, visit machinehockey.com or call (734) 642-0544.

Machine home games will be played at the Yack Arena in Wyandotte, Mich. All games are broadcast on machinehockey.com and video broadcast through B/2 Network.

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