Port Huron Guarantees At Least A Second Place Finish With 5-2 Win Over Lumberjacks

April 5, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks secured home ice advantage in the first round of the Turner Cup Playoffs on Sunday with a 5-2 win over the Muskegon Lumberjacks at McMorran Arena. The win was the fourth consecutive victory for Port Huron and the fourth straight loss for their opponent.

With the victory, the Icehawks (44-20-6-3, 97 points) improve their lead over the third place Lumberjacks to eight points and guarantee that they will finish no lower than second in the International Hockey League standings. With just three games remaining in the regular season, the Icehawks now trail the first place Fort Wayne Komets, who were idle tonight, by just three points. The Lumberjacks fall to 41-25-3-4 with 89 points. They currently lead the fourth place Kalamazoo Wings by three points.

The Icehawks special teams were superb in the win, converting on four of six power play opportunities and killing off five penalties to hold the Lumberjacks scoreless with the man advantage. The four power play goals are the most the Icehawks have scored in a single game this season.

Steve Rymsha tallied a pair of power play goals in the win. Jamie Carroll and Bryan Smolinski also had big games for Port Huron. Carroll netted one goal and three assists and Smolinski dished out three helpers.

The Icehawks outshot the Lumberjacks 13-3 in the first period, but it was Muskegon who took an early lead with a Shaun Fisher goal at 17:53.

The Icehawks fought back in the second period with three goals. The two teams traded goals early in the frame, but Port Huron scored twice more before the period came to a close to take a 3-2 lead.

Jamie Carroll took advantage of Port Huron's second power play opportunity of the game and beat goalie Kevin Armstrong at 2:54 to the tie the contest. Less than a minute later, Muskegon's Jon Grabarek lit the lamp to put the Lumberjacks back on top. The Icehawks soon regained the lead, however, thanks to goals from Kris Vernarsky at 13:39 and Rymsha at 16:42.

In the third period, the Icehawks scored twice more to cement the win. Rymsha landed his second of the night and 42nd of the season on the power play at 9:04. The Icehawks fourth power play goal of the game, this time by Nick Lindberg, came with 5:01 remaining.

The Icehawks outshot the Lumberjacks 33-27. Goalie Larry Sterling earned his 27th win of the season with 25 saves on 27 shots. Armstrong made 28 saves on 33 shots.

The Icehawks play their final home game of the 2008-09 campaign on Tuesday when they host the Kalamazoo Wings at 7:30 p.m. Cheer on your Icehawks on Fan Appreciation Night. The first 1,000 fans will receive free team posters. Draft beers are just $2 and tickets are buy one, get one free. The Icehawks wrap up the regular season with games at Bloomington on Friday and Flint on Saturday.

Tickets for all Icehawks home games are available now at the Icehawks office, McMorran Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com. For more information call 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.

Game Notes: Two of the Lumberjacks leading scorers, Todd Robinson and Robin Bouchard, were out with injuries...With a goal and an assist tonight, Lindberg extends his point streak to seven games (4g, 8a).



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 5, 2009


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