Turner Cup Tidbits

Published on April 26, 2010 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2) News Release


SERIES "A": (1) MUSKEGON VS. (4) FLINT (MUS leads series, 2-0)

GAME ONE: The first game of the best-of-seven series between the top-seeded Muskegon Lumberjacks versus the fourth seeded Flint Generals kicked off Friday night at LC Walker Arena in Muskegon. After a scoreless opening stanza, Flint struck first early when John Ronan netted an unassisted goal just 37 seconds into the second period. Muskegon's Matt Krug scored less than four minutes later on the Lumberjacks power play to even the score. Entering the third all evened up, 'Jacks forward John DiPace scored at the 3:33 mark of the third, also on the power play, netting what turned out to be the game-winning goal for Muskegon, pushing them to a 2-1 win over Flint in Game One. Flint goaltender Rob Nolan kicked aside 45 of 47 shots he faced, while Muskegon goaltender Sebastien Centomo, who earned the win, stopped 26 of 27 shots he faced.

GAME TWO: Saturday night, the Generals entered the game looking to even up the series before heading to Flint to host Game Three. Flint scored early when John Mori scored on the Generals power play at the3:42 mark of the first period. Muskegon answered a short time later when Michel Beausoleil netted his first goal of the series, also on the 'Jacks man advantage. Muskegon scored twice in the second, giving them a 3-1 lead entering the third. Mori netted his second of the contest to open the scoring in the third, but the 'Jacks answered back with two more, putting the Generals in a 5-2 hole with just over five minutes remaining. The Generals netted two more before Todd Robinson scored on the empty net after Flint pulled goaltender Sergei Zvyagin, propelling the 'Jacks to a 6-4 win, and a 2-0 series lead.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Lumberjacks will take their 2-0 series lead to Flint Tuesday night after a few days rest, while the Generals are looking for their first win in the series. The two teams will face-off again Thursday in Flint for Game Four before traveling back to Muskegon Saturday for Game Five, if necessary

SERIES "B": (2) FORT WAYNE VS. (3) PORT HURON (PTH leads series 2-1)

GAME ONE: The first game of the series kicked off Thursday in Fort Wayne and was a back-and-fourth battle between the Komets and the Icehawks. Fort Wayne struck first late in the opening period when Matt Syroczynski netted his first of the playoffs at the 15:50 mark. After trading goals in the second, the Icehawks entered the third period down 2-1. Komet forward Sean O'Connor scored early in the third, but Port Huron's Daniel Tetrault answered back less than four minutes later, putting the Icehawks down 3-2. O'Connor netted his second of the game, and the game-winning tally, at the 8:16 mark, giving the Komets a 4-2 win in Game One. Komets goaltender Tim Haun made a total of 25 saves, earning the win against Icehawks goalie Larry Sterling, who had 30 saves.

GAME TWO: Saturday night, Port Huron hosted Game Two looking to even up the series. The Komets started Nick Boucher, while the Icehawks stuck with Larry Sterling between the pipes. Syroczynski opened the scoring for the second straight game for Fort Wayne, scoring on the Komets power play. Icehawk forward Kris Vernarsky answered back midway through the opening period, but Fort Wayne's Justin Hodgman scored his second of the series and gave the Komets the lead after one period of play. Vernarsky scored his second of the contest at the 2:45 mark of the second period, netting the only goal in the second and evened up the score. After a scoreless third, the game entered the first overtime of the 2010 playoffs. Overtime didn't last long, as a Komet turnover led to the IHL's Rookie of the Year Mickael Bedard netting the game-winning goal for the Icehawks just 13 seconds in to the extra session, pushing the Icehawks to a 3-2 victory, evening up the series 1-1.

GAME THREE: Traveling back to Fort Wayne for a Sunday evening game, the two teams both looked to take a the lead in the best-of-seven series. The Komets scored twice in the opening period, and then the Icehawks scored twice in the second before Syroczynski scored the third Komet goal of the contest, giving them a 3-2 lead entering the third stanza. The third period was all Port Huron, as Matt Auffrey and Brandon Naurato scored to give the Icehawks the 4-3 win over the Komets, and a 2-1 series lead. Komets goaltender Tim Haun made a total of 24 saves in the loss, while Icehawks netminder Larry Sterling turned aside 33 shots in the win.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Icehawks will take their 2-1 series lead home Wednesday night, while the Komets look to even things up. Both teams then return to Fort Wayne Friday for Gave Five, and then back to Port Huron Saturday for Game Six, if necessary.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 26, 2010


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