News release
7 April 2007
Port Huron, MI The Port Huron Flags held off the Elmira Jackals with a 5-4 win to close out the regular season Saturday night at McMorran Place Arena.
Playing in their last game of the season, the Jackals were looking to not only close out their season on a winning streak, but also to send the Flags into the post season on a losing note. But Port Huron took the lead when Ben Gustavson scored at 6:04, giving the hosts the lead after twenty minutes.
Port Huron doubled their lead two minutes into the second period on a Kris Vernarsky shot assisted by Scott Wray. But Glenn Detulleo scored his 16th goal of the season at 6:06, assisted by Dan Veenema and Marc Lefebvre. Later in the period Dan Veenema limped off the ice with an injury and goaltender Zach Sikich was given 27 minutes in penalties, including a game misconduct, for being the 3rd man in a scuffle between Chris Mann and Ben Gustavson. Due to the penalties to Sikich, Dave Lemanowicz was brought in to finish the game in goal for Elmira.
With an even shorter bench, the Jackals struck early in the third period, tying the game at 4:30 on a goal by Joe Markusen, his 7th of the season, assisted by Lefebvre and David Morelli. The Flags regained the lead 3-2 when Mark Cadotte redirected Chris Bogas shot from the blue line at 12:29. But again Elmira answered, when Yevgeny Lazarev scored a power play goal at 15:43, assisted by Mike Oliveira and Glenn Detulleo. But just 24 seconds later at 16:07, Bogas made it 4-3 Flags with a goal from the blue line. Elmira pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker and that led to a Craig Mahon empty net goal at 19:33. But in perhaps one last hurrah, defenseman Scott Drevitch scored his 7th goal of the year with a mere 7.8 seconds left in the game, ripping a wrist shot past Dustin Traylen, with assisted going to Markusen and Nick Harloff, capping off Port Hurons 5-4 win.
Dustin Traylen took the win in goal for the Flags, stopping 20-of-24 shots on goal. Dave Lemanowicz was given the loss after blocking 16-of-18 shots over the final 24:46. Zach Sikich made 23 saves on 25 shots in a no decision over 35:08 in the Elmira net.