Rangers Rebound

Published on January 3, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release


Marquette - For 98 minutes and ten seconds this weekend, Alpena goaltender Nick Graves held the Marquette Rangers at bay. But the Rangers would score twice in the final two minutes of the second period of their North American Hockey League game against the IceDiggers; eventually winning the game in overtime by a final of 3-2.

With the win Marquette is now one point behind the IceDiggers for third place in the NAHL North Division.

"We only had two or three shots in the first period, so we were kind of frustrated," said Rangers forward Chad Pietilla who scored both second period goals. "Coach came in between the first and second period and told us to relax and just play Rangers hockey; to keep dumping it in. We did and were able to out-work them the rest of the way and get the win."

"We were tight to start out the game for some reason, but once we did what coach said things started to go our way. It's a big win."

Marquette native James Gallagher would score the game winner in overtime to give the Rangers the win with only 23 seconds remaining in the extra stanza.

"(Kevin) Gravel made a nice play at the point to keep the puck alive," Gallagher said. "I got to the puck and passed it to (Colin) Smith who got off a good shot, and I just happened to get there for the rebound. It's a big win for us because it's tough to play these guys; they're such a good team defensively But once we got on the board we got some confidence and were able to get a big win; it feels really good."

For Gallagher it was his second overtime winner on the season.

"I thought we responded well," head coach Kenny Miller said afterward. "We challenged our guys after last nights' loss and they rose to that challenge. The two power play goals were huge for us, and I thought once we settled down and did the little things needed to win we were a much better hockey team. That's important heading into Traverse City next weekend with a chance to gain some ground on them in the standings."

Alpena took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Jay Camper at 8:16 of the second period with an assist from Ryan Timar. It looked like that 1-0 lead might stand into the intermission until the IceDiggers were called for back-to-back penalties; and the Rangers would take advantage with Pietilla's two scores giving Marquette a 2-1 lead at the break.

The IceDiggers would equalize things on a 5-3 power play of their own in the third period when Mike DeGrazia was able to sneak a shot under Rangers goaltender Dan Sullivan at the 6:05 mark.

Sullivan finished the night with 22 saves on 24 Alpena shots, while Graves faced 26 Rangers shots; stopping 23 of them.

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North American Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2009


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