Fighting Falcons 2012-13 Season Recap
Published on April 19, 2013 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
PORT HURON, MI - With Thursday night's 4-1 loss to the Soo Eagles in the North division semi-finals of the 2013 Robertson Cup Playoffs, the Port Huron Fighting Falcons' third season in the North American Hockey League has come to an end.
The Fighting Falcons had a very successful season on and off the ice, and are set to become the first hockey team in a decade to play a fourth season at McMorran Arena when the 2013-14 season begins in the fall.
The 2012-13 season was marked by a strong start and a strong finish, with some struggles in between. The team won eight of its first 10 games, including an impressive 3-1 performance in four games in four days at the NAHL Showcase in September.
Defenseman Mark Evan Auk was the story of the first half of the season. The defenseman started his junior hockey journey at an off-season pre-draft tryout camp, eventually earning a spot on the Fighting Falcons' regular season roster.
Auk burst onto the scene, and was named the NAHL's Defenseman of the Month in September. By early November, Auk had signed a commitment to play NCAA division 1 hockey at Michigan Tech University. In December, Auk was called up to the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the United States Hockey League, where he finished his 2012-13 season.
Michael Gershon took over as head coach and general manager of the Fighting Falcons in late October, and overcame tough stretches in the winter months, eventually earning the North division's fourth seed by going 8-0 in March. The Fighting Falcons entered the playoffs as the hottest team in the NAHL, with a 13-2-1 record in the final two months of the regular season.
In the North division play-in series, Port Huron took on the Johnstown Tomahawks, who lost home-ice advantage on the final night of the regular season. The teams split the series first two games, leading to a deciding game three in Johnstown, and what may have been the signature win of Port Huron's season.
Trailing 3-1 midway through the third period, the Fighting Falcons chipped away at the Tomahawks' lead. Still down by a goal with less than a minute to play, Brett D'Andrea tied the game, sending it to sudden death overtime. Ian Miller breezed by Johnstown defenders, sneaking a wraparound goal in to end the game and advance to the North division semi-finals.
The Soo Eagles took down the Fighting Falcons in the semi-finals, backed by stellar goaltending by Tyler Marble. The Eagles had earned a first-round bye with the division's best regular-season record.
The Fighting Falcons were led to the playoffs for a second consecutive season by a solid core of veteran leaders, and an exciting group of young players. Captain Rick DeRosa led Port Huron with 42 points on 14 goals and 28 assists, and ends his junior career as the Fighting Falcons' all-time leader in games played (135), assists (59) and points (82).
Ian Miller, who, like DeRosa, has played in each of Port Huron's first three NAHL seasons will leave as the Fighting Falcons' all-time leader in goals scored (37).
Port Huron employed a balanced attack throughout the season, with seven players tallying 25 points or more, and eight players with at least 10 goals. Marysville's Brett D'Andrea led the team with 16 goals, while DeRosa led the way in points (42) and assists (28).
Port Huron's greatest accomplishment of the 2012-13 season was the rate at which their players signed college commitments. Eight players who donned a Fighting Falcons sweater this season signed commitments to continue their hockey careers at the collegiate level this season. If alumni are included, that number jumps to 10, the second-highest mark in the NAHL.
The Fighting Falcons are not finished, as they expect even more of their players to sign commitments in the coming days and weeks.
The Fighting Falcons have a bright outlook for the 2013-14 season, as many talented young players are set to return. Tyler Spezia, who was picked up in a late-season trade, was spectacular in his time in Port Huron, with 20 points on nine goals and 11 assists in just 14 games of NAHL action. Spezia ended the regular season on a league-best 11-game point streak.
Goalies Max Milosek and Alex Blankenburg were strong in net all season, and each have junior eligibility remaining.
Port Huron's scouting staff stayed busy throughout the season, and the coaching staff is very excited about the team's 10 players signed to tender agreements for next year, and look forward to June's NAHL Draft.
Season tickets for 2013-14 are on sale now at the McMorran Arena Box Office. Full-season packages start at just $175, with many exciting new benefits for next season. For more information, call the Fighting Falcons' front office at (810) 966-3800
2012-13 Fighting Falcons Team Awards
Ted Garvin Captains Award - Rick DeRosa, Ryan Nick & Easton Powers
Bob McCammon Community Service Award - Alex Blankenburg
Bill LaCaine Unsung Hero Award - Vito Aluia*
Larry Gould Highest Point Award - Rick DeRosa
Bill Watt Fan Favorite Award - Alex Archibald**
Mike McDougal Rookie of the Year - Alex Blankenburg
Ray German Most Improved Player Award - Mitch Maloney
Jim Banatyne Best Defenseman Award - Ryan Nick
Lloyd Maxfield Most Valuable Player Award - Rick DeRosa*
*as voted by the team
**as voted by the fans in Facebook poll
North American Hockey League Stories from April 19, 2013
- Fighting Falcons 2012-13 Season Recap - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Tomahawks Announce April Community Pride Award - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Bobcats Head South to Continue Division Semis - Bismarck Bobcats
- Wild Send Series Back to Wenatchee for Game 5 - Wenatchee Wild
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