Fighting Falcons Earn First Victory
November 8, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
PORT HURON, MI -- The Port Huron Fighting Falcons entered the win column for the first time this weekend, as they ended their three-game series against the Springfield Jr. Blues with a 4-1 victory on home ice Sunday afternoon.
Springfield had won the first two matchups, 5-2 Friday and 6-3 Saturday.
The Fighting Falcons came out firing on all cylinders during Sunday's 2 p.m. matinee as Head Coach/General Manager Ernie Hicke celebrated his birthday with a win.
Port Huron scored all four of their goals in the first period, chasing Jr. Blues goalie Reid Mimmack after scoring on three of their first five shots.
Captain Ryan Green kicked off the scoring, netting his fourth goal of the season just over two minutes into the game.
A scary moment took place near the halfway mark of the period as Port Huron defenseman Leonid Kovalev was injured following a collision with the boards. Kovalev was taken out of the rink on a stretcher, but gave fans a thumbs up on the way out and is expected to make a full recovery.
Kovalev's teammates responded immediately, as George Malliaras scored his first goal as a Fighting Falcons the very next trip up the ice, with assists from Steven Cook and Louis Educate. Defenseman Cole Meyer scored on a blue line blast less than a minute later to give Port Huron their first ever three-goal lead. Jimmie Perkins assisted on the play.
Logan Lemirande scored his first goal of the season four minutes later to send the Fighting Falcons into the locker room with a four-goal cushion.
Goalie Tyler Last took over from there, stopping 36 of 37 shots to make Port Huron's victory a reality. Springfield's Taylor Wolfe spoiled Last's hopes for a shutout in the second period.
Port Huron's penalty killing unit stepped up throughout the weekend series, holding the Jr. Blues to 1-16 on the man advantage after struggling to kill penalties through the season's first few weeks.
Coach Hicke made several changes to improve his team's roster since the Fighting Falcons had last played at McMorran Arena, and many players made their home debut over the weekend.
Louis Educate, who was acquired from the Chicago Hitmen last week tallied a goal and two assists, including a helper just 27 seconds into his first game in Port Huron. The Hitmen's former leading scorer has ten goals and 12 assists on the season, and has not been held off the score sheet in consecutive games all year.
The Fighting Falcons look to build on their momentum this Friday, when they make the short trip down I-69 to Flint for the first of eleven battles with the Michigan Warriors this season. Port Huron and Flint enjoyed a healthy rivalry for years when professional teams called McMorran and Perani Arena home, and the teams look to reignite the rivalry at the junior level.
Port Huron returns home Saturday for an exhibition matchup with the Czech Republic's U-18 National Team, a game that has intrigued local fans since the release of the 2010-11 schedule. For tickets, visit the McMorran Arena Box Office, call (810) 985-6166 or visit www.phfightingfalcons.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 8, 2010
- Coach's Show Tuesday at 7 PM - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Wichita Falls Wildcats' Insider, November 8, 2010 - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Monsters Weekly: November 8, 2010 - Fresno Monsters
- Fighting Falcons Earn First Victory - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
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