3/31/2005

MECHANICS SALUTE GENERALS GOODBYE, 7-3 - LIVE ANOTHER DAY!

3/31/2005

March 30, 2005 - Fraser, MI – David Bonk led the Mechanics with two goals, while Joe Burton scored to inch four goals closer to the 600 career mark as the Motor City Mechanics beat up on the visiting Flint Generals 7-3. This was the Mechanics fifth consecutive win and gives Motor City a 11-2 record for the month of March and under head coach Danton Cole.
Equally important, the Quad City Mallards dropped its contest with Rockford 1-0, allowing Motor City to within 13 points of the 8th and final playoff spot. Mathematically speaking, the Mechanics still have a shot at the postseason and are certainly keeping an eye on the scoreboard.
Back to the game, Howell, MI, native Rick Smith put the Mechanics on the board early, just 2:53 into the opening frame, drawing helpers from Jeff Doyle and Chris Chelios. Bonk made it a 2-0 Mechanics lead at the 6:32 mark, assisted by Tim Laurila and Burton. With just 2.6 seconds remaining in the period, Sean Avery scored a shorthanded goal to give Motor City a 3-0 lead heading into the second period.
The Mechanics found the back of the net two more times in the second period, with goals coming from Derian Hatcher and Bonk. Taking a 5-0 lead heading into the third period, Bobby Reynolds put the Generals on the board and Jason Selleke scored to make it 5-2. Motor City captain Blair Manning boosted the Mechanics lead to 6-2 before Flint rookie Mike Kinnie scored on the powerplay. Burton, scoring his 31st goal of the season and 596th of his career, found the back of the net with 15 seconds remaining in the game for the 7-3 final.
In goal, Rod Branch collected his fifth consecutive win making 32 saves for the Mechanics. Motor City fired 55 shots in the direction of Flint netminder Marco Emond who swiped away 48 of those shots.
The Mechanics have just four more games at home this season so buy your tickets now! Motor City hockey will be at The Garage on April 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th. Tickets are still available for all four contests.
For more information on tonight’s game, please contact Lauren Segall at 586-294-8062. For ticket information please call 866.997.PUCK.
Tickets are still available for all upcoming home games this season. To purchase tickets, please call Ticketmaster, visit www.ticketmaster.com or stop by the box office between 12pm and 9pm Mon – Fri.