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April 20, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2) News Release


SERIES "A": 1-FORT WAYNE vs. 4-KALAMAZOO (Fort Wayne leads series, 2-1)

GAME ONE:

The first game of the best-of-seven series between the top-seeded Fort Wayne Komets versus the fourth-seeded Kalamazoo Wings kicked off Friday night at Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. Scoring early, Kalamazoo's Lucas Drake banked a shot off Komet goaltender Nick Boucher, putting the K-Wings up 1-0. K-Wings goalie Joel Martin made 34 saves, but it was all Fort Wayne in the second stanza, scoring three times to push the Komets to a 3-1 victory over Kalamazoo. Boucher earned the win, kicking aside 41 of 42 shots he faced.

GAME TWO:

Saturday night, Kalamazoo hosted Game Two looking to even up the series. Kalamazoo switched up the goaltending, starting Jason Tapp, while the Komets stuck with the red-hot Boucher in net. After a scoreless first period, Fort Wayne's Mathieu Curadeau scored midway through the second to give the Komets a 1-0 lead. Drake answered back just 52 seconds into the third to tie the game. Both teams would notch in one more lamp lighter before entering the first overtime game of the 2009 playoffs. K-Wing forward Mark Nebus netted the game-winning goal past Boucher at the 14:58 mark of double overtime to push the K-Wings to a 3-2 victory, evening the series up 1-1.

GAME THREE:

Playing their third game in as many nights, both teams returned to Fort Wayne looking to finish the week ahead. Sunday's contest was all Fort Wayne as they scored two minutes into the game on the power play and didn't look back. The Komets notched in two more goals in the second, adding another on the power play. Kalamazoo's Rick Cleaver scored five minutes into the third, ending Boucher's shutout bid. The Komets power play was in full force, scoring three goals on eight opportunities. Tapp made a total of 35 saves in the game, while Boucher countered with 37.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Komets will take their 2-1 series lead back to Kalamazoo Wednesday night after a few days rest, while the K-Wings will look to even things up. Both teams return to Fort Wayne Friday for Game Five and if necessary, Games Six and Seven will be played in Kalamazoo and Fort Wayne respectively.

SERIES "B": 2-PORT HURON vs. 3-MUSKEGON (Series tied, 1-1)

GAME ONE:

The first game of the series was a back-and-fourth battle between the Icehawks and Lumberjacks. After a total of seven goals scored in the first two periods combined, Port Huron entered the third period with a 4-3 lead. Muskegon scored two unanswered goals in the third, stealing home-ice advantage from the Icehawks. Lumberjacks' goaltender Clayton Pool made a total of 41 saves, earning the win against Icehawks goalie Larry Sterling.

GAME TWO:

Wrapping up the second game of the series, the Icehawks gave rookie Ryan Mior the start between the pipes. Scoring early, Icehawks forward Kris Vernarsky and defenseman Daniel Tetrault scored the only goals in the first period. Muskegon scored three times in the second, while the Icehawks notched in two more to take the 4-3 lead into the third period, just like the night before. The game ended differently from the previous night with Port Huron's Steve Rymsha scoring midway through the third, putting the Icehawks up 5-3 for good. Mior earned the win in net, while Pool had another busy night, turning aside 49 of 54 shots he faced in the loss.

LOOKING AHEAD:

With the series knotted 1-1, the Icehawks will travel to Muskegon for back-to-back contests Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Each team will look to gain an edge in the series, while the Lumberjacks have taken over home-ice advantage after winning Game One in Port Huron. Game Five will be played in Port Huron Friday night and if necessary, Game Six will be back in Muskegon, capping off with Game Seven back in Port Huron.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 20, 2009


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