Beacons Rewind

Published on March 11, 2003 under United Hockey League (UHL)
Port Huron Flags News Release


The Beacons started the week off at home against the city rivals the Flint Generals. The match-up was just as expected between these two teams. Flint started the scoring off early and Bobby Reynolds earned his 31st goal of the season at the 3:55 mark of the first period. It was our own Bobby, Bobby McKillop that even the game at 6:56 of the period. Tied going into the second period, Derek Wood pushed the Beacons ahead only 0:55 into the second period. The period continued in that manner with the play even at both ends. Late in the period it was Flint's Bobby Reynolds keeping the Generals in the game earning his second of the night and 32nd of the season at the 13:56 mark of the period on a power play. Remained tied until the third period when Brent Gretzky earned his 24th of the second only 1:59 into the second period. That goal got the Beacons on fire and started the third period domination. Derek Wood captured the game-winning goal at 4:58 of the third followed Peter Bournazakis at 16:38. The Generals put in one last goal for a late comeback by Jason Disher at 17:01, but Jason Firth closed out the game for Flint scoring his 22nd goal of the season at 19:24 of the third period. Flint out shot the Beacons 30 to 21, but it was Kory Cooper that shined in net stopping 27 shots. Record against the Generals moves to 5-1-0. Port Huron plays Flint two more times this month both on the Generals home ice surface.

Port Huron traveled to Kalamazoo next for their 7th match-up against the K-Wings. The K-Wings have struggled most of the season, but lately have plowed over the league. Ex Beacon, Charlie Elezi started the scoring at 8:29 of the first period. Not only minutes later, Casey Harris earned his 100th career point on a short-handed goal at 11:21 of the period. Game remained tied until the second period when Mark Lawrence earned his 10th of the season at the 4:04 mark of the second. Sixteen second later Brent Gretzky from an outstanding set up from Jason Firth earned his 25th of the season at 4:20. The K-Wings continued to fight wanting that playoff position as another Ex Beacon Yannick Carpentier scored on ex-teammate Kory Cooper at the 5:30 mark of the second period. But the line of Gretzky, Firth, and Beausoleil were on fire and tied the game up with Beausoleil earning his 14th goal of the season at 10:51. Third period remained scoreless as the Beacons head to their 12th shootout of the season. Shooters went into the second round but it was the K-Wings that take the two-point win with a 2-1 victory in the shoot out. Port Huron shooters were Michel Beausoleil, Scott Drevitch, Derek Wood, Peter Bournazakis, Brent Gretzky, Bobby McKillop, and Jason Firth. Brent Gretzky was the lone goal in the shoot out. Cooper stopped 32 of 35 shots for the game and Port Huron was out shot 35 to 11.

The Beacons hosted the visiting Missouri River Otters for the second time at home this season. This team has struggled recently with several injuries and recent AHL call-ups. The River Otters were coming off a four game winless streak, while the Beacons were riding a six game home winning streak, the longest all season. Defensemen John Vary started the night's scoring only 1:32 into the game firing a shot past Missouri's goaltender Chris Taylor from the point. Missouri answered back at 4:12 of the period when Jeff Antonovich, a new comer to the River Otters earned his 23rd goal of the season. Missouri finished out the period on top when Chris Page earned his first professional goal at 16:47 on a power play. The second period started similar to the first period with the action going from one end to the other. Michel Beausoleil tied the game with a power play goal at 4:26 of the second period. As like the first period, the River Otters followed suite and Tony White scored at 6:23 of the period. The Beacons did not want to go into the intermission down one goal. They are 3-24-01 when tailing after the second period. Michel Beausoleil solved that problem earning his second goal of the night and 16th of the season at 12:47. Going into the third period tied was better for the Beacons, they were 6-1-4. Scoring came within the first five minutes of the period. Missouri started it off with a shorthanded goal by Charlie Blyth, his 19th of the season. Less than a minute later Jason Firth put one past Taylor to tie the game at four a piece. The remainder of the game was scoreless, but the opportunities were there for both teams but the defense and goaltending was unstoppable. Port Huron entered their 13th shoot out of the season. Kory Cooper was outstanding in his 9th consecutive start in goal for the Beacons. He stopped 30 of 34 shots during regulation and 4 of 5 shots during the shoot out. Missouri takes home the two points ending their losing streak getting the only goal during the shoot out. Port Huron shooters were John Vary, Brent Gretzky, Ian Jacobs, Chris MacKenzie, and Michel Beausoleil. Sunday's game marked a return of a crowd favorite Defenseman Patrick Powers. Powers retired at the end of January to pursue his teaching career. The Beacons called upon Powers to sit in for Scott Drevitch who was called up again to the Cleveland Barons of the AHL following his outstanding performance on Friday. Record against the River Otters moves to 3-1-1.

The Beacons end the week 01-00-02, fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 32-27-07 and 71 points.

Beacons Fast Forward – The Beacons start the week off on the road in Glenn Falls, NY to face the Adirondack IceHawks on Thursday, March 13th. The IceHawks are in second place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 38-24-4 with 80 points. They have an impressive home record of 23-8-3. Their last ten match ups they have gone 5-4-1. Against the Beacons the IceHawks are 7-5-0. Adirondack is a team that is rough team and hard to score on.

Last leg of the trip is all the way back in Fort Wayne on Saturday, March 15th. Fort Wayne is in first place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 36-20-9 with 81 points. Fort Wayne has an impressive home record similar to Adirondack 20-7-5. Their last ten match ups they have gone 4-4-2. The Beacons have done well this season against the Komets dominating 6-2-0. The Komets have stayed around the top of the league for most of the season fighting back and forth with Adirondack.

Milestones –

· Casey Harris earned his 100th career point on 3-8-03 against the Kalamazoo Wings on a shorthanded goal.
· Chris MacKenzie is 13 assists away from his 500th career assist.
· Scott Drevitch is 2 points away from his 800th career point.
· John Vary is 15 points away from his 600th career point.
· Brent Gretzky is 10 assists from his 500th career assist.
· Bobby McKillop is 19 assists from his 400th career assist.

Game Milestones -

· Bobby McKillop is 10 games from his 700th professional game played.
· Kory Cooper is 10 games from his 300th professional game played.

Top Ten –

· Jason Firth is ranked for 4th among leading point scorers with 86.
· Michel Beausoleil is ranked 2nd among rookies for most points with 41.
· Scott Drevitch is ranked 2nd among defensemen for most points with 54.
· John Vary is ranked 9th among defensemen for most points with 38.
· Kory Cooper is ranked 8th among goaltenders with a GAA of 3.16.

Last Ten Games -

· Jason Firth has earned 16 points in the last ten games.
· Brent Gretzky has earned 14 points in the last ten games.
· Michel Beausoleil has earned 8 points in the last ten games.
· John Vary has earned 6 points in the last ten games.
· Bobby McKillop has earned 7 points in the last ten games.
· Peter Bournazakis has earned 5 points in the last ten games.
· Scott Drevitch has earned 8 points in the last ten games.
· Derek Wood has earned 7 points in the last ten games.
· Casey Harris has earned 7 points in the last ten games.

Streaks: -

· Michel Beausoleil is on a three game point streak. He has earned three goals and three assists.
· Jason Firth is on a four game point streak. He has earned two goals and eight assists.
· Brent Gretzky is on a four game point streak. He has earned four goals and four assists.

Rookie Power – Michel Beausoleil has been making a name for him self in the league. He is 2nd in points, 3rd in most goals (13), 3rd in most assists (25), 4th in most shots (130), and 5th in best shooting percentage (0.123) among rookies. McDonalds Kids Club – The Beacons with the support of McDonalds has started the Captain Breaker's Kids Club. There is still time to join. Contact the office or go online for more information about the hottest club around. Next meeting is scheduled for March 24th at the Birchwood Mall McDonalds. Look for March updates on the website.

Mascot Mania - Go to Damon's restaurant Wednesday, March 12th, located across from the Birchwood Mall in Ft. Gratiot, from 6-7 and get autographs and your picture taken with Captain Breaker. This will be your last chance to see Captain Breaker at Damons for the 2002-2003 season.

Academic Kick Off – The Beacons Hockey Club supports excellence in education and have created a program that awards those children of the Blue Water Area that work hard to stay in school with outstanding achievements. Spotlight On Success awards those students with an official certificate signed by Captain Breaker and a free ticket voucher for a Beacons home game. If your school is interesting in joining the program contact the office at 810-989-9701.

Weekly Honors – The Beacons nominated Center Jason Firth and Goaltender Kory Cooper for the UHL's Sher Wood Player and Goaltender of the Week. Firth earned eight points (2 goals and 6 assists) in the Beacons games played this week. Cooper went 01-00-20 for the week. He faced 69 shots total and completes the week with a 0.855 save percentage and 3.33 goals against average.

Community Hockey – The Beacons are dedicated to the Blue Water Area and every month players and Captain Breaker go out to visit area schools and community programs to discuss hockey and have some fun playing hockey. Tuesday, March 11th Marc Milburn and Eric Lawson are invited to the YMCA after school program at Crull Elem. For more information about player and mascot appearance contact Stephanie Vickery at 810-989-9701.

March Is Reading Month – The Beacons know how important reading is to your future and will be in the community this month to support March is Reading Month. Check out the website for the location selected Beacons players will be reading to the Blue Water Area kids. This week Bujar Amidovski is reading at Will Lee Elm. from 1:30 to 2:30 PM.

Lights, Camera, Action – The Beacons are proud to be part of the DARE game coming up on March 11th at McMorran Place Arena. Tune into Channel 6 and see Casey Harris in is acting debut with the head of the DARE officers. Also, the Beacons have been invited as honorary guests to several of the DARE graduations around the area. Jason Simon will be the guest speaker at the Gardens Elm. graduation on Thursday, March 13th.

Good Luck Parade – Come out Saturday, March 15th for the Irish Rose St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade starts at 11:00 AM and makes its way through downtown Port Huron. Captain Breaker and friends will be walking in the parade to wish everyone good luck this holiday season.

Beacons On The Road – Catch all the road action of the Beacons with Dennis Stuckey on WHLS 1450 or 1590 AM. Next road game is Thursday, March 13th against the Adirondack IceHawks and Saturday, March 15th against the Fort Wayne Komets. Turn those dials and listen to your Port Huron Beacons to fight to move up in the ranks of the Eastern Conference.

Get Your Tickets Here – Single and group tickets for all home games are available by calling the Beacons office at (810) 989-9701. Come cheer your Port Huron Beacons to another win. A special ticket price of $8.00 is available for children ages 3 to 18 in any section for home games. This is just a way to say thank you to the Port Huron community for all the support during the season.

Playoffs Are Around The Corner – The playoffs are here and the Beacons are ready to fight all the way to the finals. Get your playoffs tickets now at the downtown Beacons or Birchwood Mall office today. For more information and prices contact the Beacons at 810-989-9701 or go online at www.beaconshockey.com.

Special Family Packages – Bring the whole family out to enjoy Beacons hockey at an outstanding price. The Beacons with the help of Dominos Pizza now offer the Dominos Pizza Family Packs. Each package includes four tickets, four slices of pizza, four medium Pepsi's, and one official game program. Price breakdown is based on seat locations:
Package 1 – $40.00 (Bridge Level)
Package 2 - $52.00 (Blue Water Level)
Package 3 - $60.00 (Captain Quarters)
Family packs are available for the following dates: March –18th, 19th, & 23rd. Contact the office for more details.

Beacons Birthday Bash – What better place to have a birthday party then at the Beacons game. The birthday package includes:
· Beacon Cup Cakes delivered by Captain Breaker
· Official Game program for each guest.
· Team autographed Birthday card.
· A special Birthday announcement during the game.
· Surprise Gift for the Birthday kid.

For more information or to book your Beacons Birthday Bash contact the Beacons off ice at 810-989-9701.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central