Sports stats



Port Huron Will Finish Regular Season In Second

April 10, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - Port Huron Icehawks goalie Larry Sterling made a season high 45 saves on Friday versus the Bloomington PrairieThunder, but it was not enough as his team fell 3-2 in a shootout at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Tonight's International Hockey League action gives some clarity to the Turner Cup Playoffs picture. Despite a loss tonight versus Kalamazoo, the Fort Wayne Komets have secured first place and the regular season championship.

The second place Icehawks (44-20-6-5, 99 points) continue to await an opponent for the first round. Just one point currently separates the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Kalamazoo Wings, who will meet Saturday in an important game. The winner will finish in third place and face the Icehawks in the first round, while the loser will meet the Komets.

The Icehawks struck first with a Jeremy Tucker goal at 6:24 in the first period. Jason Chafe and Paul Esdale had the assists. Bloomington answered back with two goals before the end of the frame to take a 2-1 lead. Corey Rutt beat Sterling at 10:47 and Marty Standish scored on the power play five minutes later.

Midway through the second period, Port Huron's Steve Rymsha scored his 43rd of the season to tie the contest and extend his personal point streak to ten games (6g, 12a). Nick Lindberg assisted on the play.

The PrairieThunder outshot the Icehawks 19-7 in the third period, but Sterling stood tall and made 19 saves to help send the game into overtime.

The game remained tied after a five-minute overtime period, forcing a shootout. Jason Lepine scored as Bloomington's third shooter to end the game. Rymsha, Lindberg and Jamie Carroll all missed on their attempts for Port Huron.

The PrairieThunder outshot the Icehawks 48-30. PrairieThunder goalie Jason Wolfe made 28 saves on 30 shots, while Sterling was outstanding with 45 saves. Port Huron was 0-4 on the power play and Bloomington was 1-6.

The Icehawks will play their final game of the regular season Saturday in Flint.

Single game tickets for games one and two in the first round of the Turner Cup Playoffs are available now at the Icehawks office, McMorran Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com. A complete schedule of playoff games will be released shortly. For more information call 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.

Game Notes: The Icehawks wrap up the season series with Bloomington with a record of 13-0-1-2...Port Huron remains unbeaten in regulation in their last six games.

• Discuss this story on the International Hockey League 2 message board...

International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 10, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central