Around the IHL - Oct. 29, 2007

IHL PRESS RELEASE--

Port Huron was the only undefeated team during this week’s IHL action, giving the Icehawks a league-leading six points (3-2-0-0). With a win over Muskegon on Friday and two huge come-from-behind victories over Flint on Saturday and Bloomington on Sunday, the Icehawks are currently riding a 3-game winning streak. Port Huron is unbeatable on home ice so far this season (2-0-0-0), along with Bloomington (1-0-0-0) and Fort Wayne (2-0-0-0).

Muskegon’s special teams have come out strong early this season. With a 25% power play record (4 for 16) and 100% penalty killing record (15 of 15), the Fury are ranked number one for both categories in the International Hockey League. Also hot on the power play, Flint ’s Josef Fojtik leads the league with two power play goals in his four games played, helping improve the Generals to second place on the power play with a 23.1% record (3 for 13).

Bloomington forwards Don Parsons and Jason Ralph has both recorded points in all four games played by the PrairieThunder. Parsons is ranked first in the league in scoring and assists (1g, 6a, 7pts.). Ralph is tied for second (2g, 4a) with Muskegon ’s Mike Watt (1g, 5a).

AROUND THE “I”

Flint Generals - (1-0-0-1) – Generals rookie forward Josef Fojtik is already making his name felt with two power play goals in four games. The Generals are second in the IHL on the power play with three power play goals in 13 chances. The Generals have scored the first goal in four straight games and currently support a record of 2-1-0-1. Jordan Fox has scored first in two of the four games. Flint is currently first in the IHL in goals for averaging just over three per game, while they are third in the IHL in shots for averaging just over 34 per game. The Generals have surrendered eight goals in the third period this season which is the most of any team in the IHL.

Kalamazoo Wings - (0-2-0-0) – K-Wings opened up their home schedule in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 4,975 last Saturday during the 4th Annual Orange Ice Game. Kalamazoo 's 4-1 loss in the home opener, dropping their record on orange ice to 1-3-0-0, with all three loses coming against Muskegon . Matt Elich played in his 400th career game last Friday in Flint . Goaltender Jeremy Symington is one-game shy of 200 in his career. Kalamazoo 's best scoring periods are the first and third, posting three goals in each stanza. On the season, the K-Wings have scored seven goals. Nick Bootland ranks third in the league with 20 shots, but ranks first on shots per game average at 6.67. After playing just three games in the first nine days of the season, the K-Wings will play three-games in three days starting this Friday versus Flint .

Muskegon Fury - (1-1-0-0) – After launching the IHL season with a rare two consecutive losses, both on home ice, the Fury became the last team in the league to record their initial victory of the season Saturday night at Kalamazoo , 4-1. Muskegon ’s magic in Kalamazoo seems to be continuing as they are now 23-5-4 in their last 32 decisions at Wings Stadium. The Fury specialty teams are flourishing early in the new season; both the power play (4-16; 25%) and the penalty-killing (15-15; 100%) are ranked #1 in the IHL. Left Wing Mike Watt and Defenseman Philippe Plante are both on 3-game season opening point streak (three each). Robin Bouchard (646) is just 18-games away from tying Scott Feasby (664) for most games played in Fury franchise history.

Port Huron Icehawks - (3-0-0-0) – Port Huron forced the league’s first overtime and first shootout Saturday versus Flint . Port Huron landed two goals in the shootout, while Flint had zero. Brian Felsner and Jamie Carroll both had shootout goals for the Icehawks. Icehawks rookie Jamie Carroll is among the league leaders in several categories. He leads the league for shots on goal with 27 and is tied for first in the plus/minus category at plus-5. Ron Vogel posted two wins in net for Port Huron , and rookie goalie Marty Magers recorded his first win of the season Sunday in his second start in goal. Port Huron now leads the league in third period scoring after third period comebacks in back to back home games last weekend.