Ruff and Lee's Threes Not Enough

Published on April 6, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kansas City Outlaws News Release


Despite a pair of 3 point performances from Outlaws Rookie of the Year Mark Lee and MVP Jason Ruff, the Fort Wayne Komets skated away with a 4-3 win at Kemper Arena this evening.

After an uneventful first period, Fort Wayne took advantage of a high sticking call on Kansas City's Jimmy Callahan, scoring on the power play at 6:15 of the second frame. The Komets Tom Nelson beat Outlaw goaltender Jan Chovan, with assists by Steve Rodberg and Jason Kean.

When Fort Wayne's Tom Wiggins went to the box for tripping at 12:26, it took just 38 seconds for Mark Lee to connect for his 20th goal as a professional, and it was a beauty. Lee skated from behind Komet netminder Tyler Masters and wrapped the puck around into the net. Jason Ruff and Joe Seroski got the assists..

Moments later, Fort Wayne's Jonathan Goodwin scored to retake the Komet lead, 2-1. Wiggins got the assist.

The power play was good to the Outlaws in the second period. With the man advantage because of a boarding penalty on Fort Wayne's Jason Kean, Andre Lupandin blasted a slap shot from the slot past Masters at 16:55 (Ruff, Lee) to knot the score at 2-2.

The Outlaws took their first lead of the game early in the final period, and it took all of Kansas City's top 3 scorers to get it done. Jason Ruff was assisted by Joe Seroski and Mark Lee, and Kansas City led, 3-2.

With the Outlaw faithful sniffing victory against the first place Komets, Fort Wayne responded. Chris Grenville slipped the puck past Jan Chovan at 6:05 to tie the game at 3-3, and Sean Venedam added a shorthanded goal with 4:08 remaining in regulation to put Fort Wayne back on top by 1.

A Derek Kern tripping penalty with 1:28 left on the clock sealed the deal for Fort Wayne, forcing the Outlaws to play shorthanded and making it difficult for Kansas City to pull the goalie.

Jan Chovan played well in the net for Kansas City, despite allowing 4 goals. Chovan kicked away 42 of 46 shots.

The Outlaws head North for a Friday night match with Port Huron, followed by a Saturday evening visit to Quad City. The final game at Kemper this season comes Sunday afternoon at 3:00 pm. It's Fan Appreciation Day, with the first 2000 fans receiving a Providence Medical Center water bottle adn the first 1500 receiving a bobblehead.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 6, 2005


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