11/21/2004 (2)

MOTOR CITY SUFFERS HOME LOSS

11/21/2004

Mechanics Drop 5-3 Decision To River Otters
Fraser, MI – The Motor City Mechanics returned home to The Garage tonight to take on the Missouri River Otters. Despite taking the lead several times throughout the course of the evening, the Mechanics couldn’t hold off the Otters and fell 5-3.
Chris Bell put the River Otters on the board first when he took a feed from Josh Legge at 6:07 and put the puck past Mechanics netminder Rod Branch. With one second remaining in the period, Rick Smith lifted one past Missouri goaltender Kevin Reiter to even the score.
Just over a minute into the second period, Matt Hunter gave the Mechanics a 2-1 lead. Brad MacMillan tied the game at two at the 5:42 mark. The game would remain 2-2 heading into the third period.
In the third period, Mark Odut took a tripping penalty just four seconds in giving the Mechanics a man advantage. Brad Cruikshank found the back of the net on the power play to put the Mechanics ahead 3-2. Matt Snesrud tied the game half way through the period as he trickled the puck past Branch. With just over two minutes remaining, Bob Rapoza notched the go ahead goal. The Mechanics pulled Branch in an attempt to send the game into a shoot out but Odut picked up an empty netter for the 5-3 final. In goal, Branch made 33 saves for the Mechanics, while Reiter made 19 saves for the River Otters.
The Mechanics hit the road on Wednesday, November 24th for a pre-Thanksgiving game against the Flint Generals. Catch the game on 1310AM WXDX with broadcaster Adam Kaufman.
Motor City hockey will return to The Great Lakes Sports City Arena on Friday, November 26th to host the Quad City Mallards. Game time is at 7:30 pm with the pre-game radio show beginning at 7:15pm on 1310 AM WXDX. Team photos will be given away to fans courtesy of the Macomb Mall and 1130 WDFN. Be sure to stick around after the game for an autograph session with the entire Mechanics team on the concourse.
For more information on tonight’s game, please contact Lauren Segall at 586-294-8062. For ticket information please call 866.997.PUCK.