Fighting Falcons Cruise to Sixth Victory
October 12, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
PORT HURON, MI - It took the Port Huron Fighting Falcons just 11 games to match their 2010-11 win total, as they earned their sixth victory of the year in emphatic fashion, 6-2 over the Traverse City North Stars Wednesday night at McMorran Arena.
The win is the first in franchise history over the North Stars, who went 12-0 against the Fighting Falcons last season.
Port Huron tested Traverse City goalie Zach Nagelvoort early and often in his first start for the North Stars. Nico Sierra scored his fourth goal of the season at 5:38 of the first period, deflecting a Rick DeRosa blast from just outside the right circle. Former North Star Ryan Nick earned the second assist on the play.
Nick, who appeared in three games for Traverse City to start the season, scored his third goal as a Fighting Falcon three seconds into a Port Huron power play at 14:23 of the first. Kody Polin and Max Reavis assisted on the play, a quick shot off an offensive zone faceoff win.
Mike Moroso netted his fourth of the season less than 40 seconds later. Logan Lemirande and Easton Powers assisted on the play.
The Fighting Falcons took a 3-0 lead into the locker room after 20 minutes.
Traverse City got on the board near the midway point of the second period on Jake Peacock's first goal of the season.
Port Huron native Alex Archibald scored his first NAHL goal five minutes later, as he, DeRosa and Sierra jammed at the puck in front of the net. Peacock's second goal of the period brought the North Stars back to within two at 17:26.
Port Huron controlled the play for the majority of the third period while goalie Pete Megariotis protected the lead, anchoring three penalty kills.
Traverse City pulled Nagelvoort late in the game to turn a power play into a 6-on-4 chance, but Max Reavis scored from beyond center ice to put Port Huron up 5-2. Easton Powers assisted on the shorthanded empty net goal.
Still on the penalty kill, Logan Lemirande scored on a breakaway just 16 seconds later to finish the scoring and give Port Huron the 6-2 win.
Port Huron outshot Traverse City 15-8 in the third period, and 38-30 overall.
Megariotis earned his third victory of the season in his first appearance since Port Huron's September 28 loss to the North Stars in Traverse City. The Anaheim Hills, California native turned away 28 of 30 shots as he also matched his 2010-11 Fighting Falcons win total.
Nagelvoort, who had beaten the Fighting Falcons as a member of the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings on September 25, took the loss in his North Stars debut.
The win vaults the Fighting Falcons over the North Stars into a second-place tie in the North Division with 14 points and an overall record of 6-3-2. Port Huron is tied with Kalamazoo for second, just one point behind the Michigan Warriors. Traverse City drops to fourth in the division with the loss.
The first-place Warriors will make their first trip of the season to McMorran Arena Thursday night for a 6:30 p.m. matchup. The rink will offer a progressive draft beer special during Thursday's "Night Out at the Game." All draft beers will be $1 in the first period, $2 in the second period and $3 in the third.
Fans can place their orders for 2011 Star Wars Night t-shirts at any of this week's games. The limited-edition t-shirts can be ordered for $12 for youth sizes and $20 for adult sizes. All proceeds from sales of Star Wars t-shirts and jerseys will benefit St. Joseph Mercy Hospital's Pink Ribbon Fund.
Single game tickets are available now at the McMorran Arena Box Office. Tickets in any section are just $7 this season. Student, senior citizen and military tickets are only $6.
For more information, call the Fighting Falcons office at (810) 966-3800, or follow the Fighting Falcons on Facebook (Port Huron Fighting Falcons - NAHL) and Twitter (@PHhockeyNAHL)!
North American Hockey League Stories from October 12, 2011
- Jr. Blues Enter Break - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Fighting Falcons Cruise to Sixth Victory - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Port Huron Knocks off Stars - Traverse City North Stars
- Tornado Alumni Making News in Hockey World - Texas Tornado
- Pietroniro at Home on Corpus Christi's Blue Line - Corpus Christi IceRays
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.
