FLINT, Mich. – A night after a high scoring game in which the Icehawks and Flint Generals combined for nine goals, the two teams found themselves in a defensive battle, with Flint edging Port Huron 2-1 at Perani Arena and Events Center.

Both teams fired 37 shots, but in the end, Port Huron could not get enough shots past Flint goalies Matt Spezza and Eric Marvin, who split the duties in net.

The game went scoreless for nearly two periods of play until Flint’s Jordan Fox scored at 19:26 in the second stanza to put the Generals on the board. Flint boosted their lead to 2-0 when Michel Beausoleil scored on the power play midway in the third period.

Port Huron’s Kris Vernarsky added a power play tally of his own at 18:30 in the third period to avoid the shutout, but the Icehawks failed to connect with the net in the final minutes of play to force a tie.

Port Huron converted on one of five power play opportunities throughout the game, while Flint was 1-7 on the power play.

The Flint win came despite the fact that the Generals lost several players throughout the course of the game. Ryan Jorde and starting goaltender Spezza both left the game due to injury and John DiPace was thrown from the game for arguing with a referee.

The loss coupled with a Muskegon win leaves Port Huron holding on to third place in a close International Hockey League playoff race. Flint has a four point lead on Port Huron, while the Icehawks sit just one point ahead of the Fury and four points ahead of Kalamazoo.

The Icehawks opened the three-game mini-series with Flint with a 5-4 win yesterday at Perani Arena. They will look for another victory tomorrow when they host the Generals at McMorran Arena.

The game will feature a performance from national act the ZOOperstars, inflatable animal mascots that flip, bounce, dance and flat out jam. Characters such as Whale Gretzky, Dominik Hashark, Mario Lemule, LeBronco James, Cow Ripken Jr. and Roger Clamens will rock McMorran Arena with routines that appeal to fans of all ages. The performance is fun and affordable for the entire family. Walk-up tickets for kids 14-and-under and seniors 62-and-over are just $5 and can be purchased at the Icehawks office or the McMorran Arena box office. Game time is 3 p.m.