Port Huron Icehawks Weekly Roundup: Week 13

Josh Avedisian
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The Icehawks had to hit the road this week due to Silver Sticks being in town. That did not seem to have any effect on the Hawks as they posted a 3-0 record with all 3 games on the road and now have moved into first place 5 points ahead of 2nd place Kalamazoo. The Icehawks are now on a 9 game road winning streak and have the best road record in the IHL with a 14-5 record.

The Icehawks would head the Coliseum on Wednesday to start he week to take on the Fort Wayne Komets. The Hawks came into this game 2-0 in Fort Wayne this season but both of those games were started by Kevin Desfosses in goal and now that he has moved on, Larry Sterling stepped in and took over where Desfosses left off. Sterling only gave up 1 goal stopping 32 of 33 shots and Jamie Lovell and Jason Chafe would tickle the twine for the Icehawks who won the game 2-1 and improved their record at the Coliseum to 3-0.

The Icehawks would then head to Muskegon on Friday to take on the high scoring LumberJacks. This would be Robin Bouchard's first game back in a Muskegon uniform but the Icehawks were still able to prevail in a shoot out in a wild 6-5 victory. Bryan Bridges would get his first start in an Icehawks uniform before leaving early in the 3rd period with a groin injury. Bridges played well stopping 9 of 12 shots and left with a 5-3 lead. Sterling would take over and before he had a chance to get warmed up the game was quickly 5-5. Sterling would settle down however and make a couple of huge saves in overtime to force a shootout where he stopped all 3 shots he faced and in the last round Nick Lindberg would score for the Icehawks to lead them to victory. Jamie Carroll had 5 points on the night.

The Icehawks then traveled to Flint for the rematch with the Generals after the fiasco a week earlier in Port Huron. Nothing would happen however as Flint's goalie Chad Alban had prior commitments and could not play. Still the Icehawks would take care of business on the road and extend the road winning streak to 9 games. Sterling got the win in the pipes for the Icehawks and Derek Merlini had 2 goals to lead the Icehawks to a 4-3 win.

WEEKLY HAWKBITS

The Icehawks went 4 for 13 on the power play this week and still rank 1st in the league on the power play. They also rank 2nd on the penalty kill.

Jamie Carroll and Nick Lindberg combined for 12 points this week.

Jamie Carroll is now ranked 7th in the league in points. Derek Merlini is first in the league with a +19 +/- rating. Jamie Carroll has 13 power play assists. Derek Patrosso is ranked 7th in points scored by a rookie with 19 points.

Jeremy Tucker came off the 30-day IR list this week. Robert Snowball was also back from injury on Friday. B.J Adams was placed on the 30-day IR. Jeff Zehr was scratched on Saturday. Jason Chafe left the game Saturday with a bruised knee.

Defenseman Chris Bogas who was signed to a 14-day PTO last week is expected to be signed to a contract this week.

There are rumors that the Icehawks are discussing looking at free agent, all time leading minor league goal scorer, Don Parsons. Parsons was released by Bloomington last week and still hasn't found a home.

No love for Larry. Seems Larry Sterling isn't becoming a popular figure with other goalies around the IHL. First Chad Alban had this to say about Sterling, http://www.mlive.com/generals/index.ssf/2009/01/flint_generals_goaltender_chad.html . Also Kalamazoo fans say Jason Tapp is no fan of Sterling as well.

GOAL LEADERS

1. Tab Lardner- 16
2. Jamie Carroll- 14
2. Jeff Zehr- 14

ASSISTS LEADERS

1. Jamie Carroll- 28
2. Nick Lindberg- 22
3. Kris Vernarsky- 21

IHL STANDINGS

1. Port Huron- 47 pts
2. Kalamazoo- 42 pts.
3. Fort Wayne- 40 pts.
4. Muskegon- 39 pts.
5. Flint- 27 pts.
6. Bloomington- 25 pts.

Avg Attendance- 1,382

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