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Troy Bruins Spoil Loggers Home Opener

October 22, 2010 - All American Hockey League (AAHL)
Troy Bruins News Release


Lapeer, Michigan - The Troy Bruins professional hockey team would open the 2010-2011 AAHL regular season by spoiling the Lapeer Logger's sold out home opener in a last minute nail biter on Friday night by a final score of 3-2.

After a delayed start thanks to the capacity crowd filing into the Polar Palace, the Troy Bruins quickly got to work utilizing their speed to set up a scoring chance within the first minute of play, with starting centerman Todd McIlrath ringing a shot off the inside post for the game's first heart stopper. An end to end flow settled in throughout the rest of the period, and despite a handful of powerplay opportunities given to each club, neither could find the back of the net after twenty minutes of play, with the Loggers slightly edging the Bruins in shots 11-10.

Lapeer fans wouldn't have to wait long into the second period to witness the first Logger goal in team history, as an odd man rush would create a tap-in score with Derek Osborne notching the distinctive honor for his club to put the home team ahead by one just over two minutes into the second period. A noticeably more physical tempo would take over the middle frame, with end to end battles continuing to punctuate quality scoring chances on either side of the ice, Lapeer content with their one goal lead. Troy would finally find the back of the net at the 15:00 mark, thanks to the efforts of Josh Swenson assisted by former NCAA standout Todd McIlrath crashing the net for a rebound goal to tie the game at one. With the seal officially broken for the regular season, the Bruins would waste little time in earning their first lead of the season, with Chris Tasic breaking down the near wing for a powerful wrister past the five-hole of Lapeer's netminder Dave Desander just :48 later. Troy would skate into the second intermission with the 2-1 lead after forty minutes, and would take a commanding lead in shots after outshooting the Loggers 23-13 in the second.

The third period would truly turn the game into a barnburner, as the hitting and speed intensified from the opening faceoff. Unlike the previous stanza, the fans would have to endure multiple close calls on either end, highlighted by a number of odd rushes and fluke bounces in front of the nets. After battling back to even the shots in the period, Lapeer would again tie the game at the 12:38 mark, off a powerplay, giving the game a definite intense feel and setting up a spectacular finish. Troy wouldn't quit however, as with less than five minutes to go in regulation, returning Bruin Lee McClure snapped a bullet of a shot top shelf past the shoulder of Desander for the eventual game winner at 15:26. In a climactic conclusion, Lapeer would pull their goalie in the final minute, and with a penalty being assessed to the Bruins, made a final unsuccessful charge to even the score, but was denied by a stellar performance by Bruins veteran goalie Rob Mattison, the game's second star. Finals shots on goal favored the Bruins 48-36, with the Bruins taking their first two points of the season with the 3-2 victory.

Troy remains on the road when they travel to Revolution Arena in Battle Creek, Michigan next Friday night to meet the Battle Creek Revolution for the first time, before returning home the following night to open the home portion of the schedule on October 30 at 8pm inside the historic Hobart Arena in Troy. Tickets for the home opener are still available for only $8 by purchasing online at www.TroyBruins.com or by calling 985-PUCK.



All American Hockey League Stories from October 22, 2010


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