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Smolinski and Fedotenko highlight all-Ohio week for IceDiggers

September 23, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alpena IceDiggers News Release


This week will inaugurate the State of Ohio rivalries for Team Toledo IceDiggers.

After facing Youngstown on Wednesday, the Cleveland Barons provide the opposition on Friday and Sunday.

Many of the players on all three teams are from Ohio and many have played together before, and that is expected to adds to the already heated rivalries.

Youngstown should be an older more aggressive team with good forwards," says IceDiggers GM/head coach, Mike Mankowski. "Cleveland is young, fast and skilled at all positions. They have a top end goalie in Carlson from the NTDP.

"We feel the All-Ohio match-ups will be good ones all season."

NHL veterans Bryan Smolinski of the Ottawa Senators and Ruslan Fedotenko of the Tampa Bay Lightning are scheduled to be special guests at the Toledo IceDiggers home game this Wednesday against the Youngstown Phantoms.

Bryan Smolinski, who joined the IceDiggers as the Official Spokesperson this season is coming off the World Cup of Hockey tournament as a representative of Team USA.

Smolinski is a native of Genoa, Ohio and began his youth hockey in Toledo.

Ruslan Fedotenko, born in Kiev, Ukraine, is a member of the Stanley Cup Champions Tampa Bay Lightning. He recorded 12 goals and 2 assists in the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, including two goals in game seven of the finals.

Fedotenko launched his professional career after playing Junior A hockey in the United States for the Sioux City Musketeers.

The IceDiggers lost their home opener to Team USA National 17's by a score of 3-1. Toledo's only goal was scored by former St. Francis de Sales standout Jim Kozlowski.

Toledo outshot Team USA 40-30 including 19 shots in the third period.

This Wednesday's game time is 7:30 p.m. The Barons game this Friday is at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday game against Cleveland is a 3:30 p.m. contest.

All home games are played at the Toledo Ice House --Home of Bryan Smolinski.



North American Hockey League Stories from September 23, 2004


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.

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