Ice Breakers Defeat Dashers Again

By Nate Williamson

Danville, IL - The Mentor Ice Breakers gained some ground in their fight to climb out of last place on Saturday night as they took down the Danville Dashers in a defensive battle. The sixth place Ice Breakers are now only five points behind the Dashers after their 1-0 victory, with the series finale tomorrow night.

Despite leading the game in shots with 32 taken as opposed to Mentor's 28, the Dashers were unable to break through the strong wall that was Ice Breakers goaltender Derek Moser. Moser stopped every shot that came towards him on the evening and earned the 2nd Star on the Game. The Dashers have only scored a total of two goals in the last two games, as both Moser and backup goaltender John Sellie-Hanson have had solid outings against Danville so far this weekend.

In a game that was fast and physical from the start, the two teams had a whopping 17 minutes of penalty time in the first period alone. Danville veteran forward Chris Affinati had a five-minute major called on him for fighting with sixteen minutes gone in the frame, before Mentor defensemen Ryan Koresky scored on the man advantage, with Patrick Porkka getting the assist. 

Despite a solid showing from Matt Kaludis and several odd-man rushes down the stretch, the Dashers were unable to find the back of the net, and the Koresky goal would prove to be the game-winner in the end. With a massive 53 minutes of penalties between the two teams, the game quickly became a defensive competition, with both goalies making great saves down the stretch.

Ryan Koresky took the 1st Star for the game-winner, while the two goaltenders Derek Moser and Matt Kaludis took the 2nd and 3rd Stars, respectively.

The three-game series ends tomorrow night at David S. Palmer Arena in Danville as the Dashers look to avoid the sweep and expand their hold on fifth place.

Photo credit: LMB Studios