Fighting Falcons Fall to Ice Dogs in Shootout
September 17, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
BLAINE, MN - The Port Huron Fighting Falcons played in their third shootout in four days Saturday, losing to the 2011 Robertson Cup champion Fairbanks Ice Dogs 4-3 in their final game of the 2011 NAHL Showcase.
Playing in front of the biggest crowd of any of their four showcase games, the Fighting Falcons continued to show how much they've improved. The matchup, which pitted the team with the worst record in the 2010-11 season and the 2011 champions, was Saturday's only game between teams with 3-0 records at the showcase.
JT Osborn scored in each of the first two periods to give the Ice Dogs a 2-0 lead. Fairbanks outshot Port Huron 27-12 heading into the third period.
Goalie Max Milosek kept the Fighting Falcons in the game with 25 saves in the first two periods.
The Fighting Falcons came out of the second intermission ready to prove that they have earned the buzz about them that circulated throughout the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota all week.
Nico Sierra beat Ice Dogs goalie Nick Heimer eight seconds into a power play opportunity to put Port Huron on the board and create some positive momentum. Rick DeRosa scored just 14 seconds later to tie the game with about 18 minutes remaining in the third period.
Mike Moroso, Easton Powers, Bret Lewandowski and Mitch Sand earned assists on the two quick goals, which beat a team record for shortest span between goals that had just been set Friday, when the Fighting Falcons netted a pair of scores 16 seconds apart.
Eleven scoreless minutes followed before Kody Polin scored his fifth goal of the past two days to give Port Huron a 3-2 lead. Max Reavis made a perfect pass to create the goal. Alex Globke also earned an assist on the play.
The defending Robertson Cup champions fought back to tie the game on Nick Hinz's goal with just 1:34 remaining in regulation.
A scoreless overtime paved the way for yet another shootout for the Fighting Falcons, who had just three games decided by shootout last season.
Nick Horne scored on Port Huron's first attempt in the shootout, but he would be the only Fighting Falcons shooter to beat Heimer.
Milosek stopped the first three Ice Dogs attempts before Osborn and Jakob Romo scored, leaving Max Reavis as Port Huron's last chance to extend the game.
As Reavis skated in on his attempt, Heimer slipped on his way out of the net. Reavis fired at what was momentarily an open net, but Heimer was able to react in time to stop the shot. The save ended the game, giving Fairbanks a perfect 4-0 record at the Showcase.
Milosek was once again spectacular in net for Port Huron as he made 39 saves and gave the Fighting Falcons a chance to win in his second start of the season. Heimer stopped 20 of 23 shots in the win.
The Ice Dogs outshot the Fighting Falcons 42-23 overall.
Despite the loss, Port Huron earned seven of a possible eight points at the showcase, and was the prevailing story of the week among spectators, coaches and league officials. The Fighting Falcons were 0-4 at the showcase last season and were outscored 20-8.
The four-game unbeaten in regulation streak is a new record that the team will try to build on in their next game Saturday, September 24 when they travel to Flint to take on the Michigan Warriors. Trips to Kalamazoo and Traverse City close out the season's first month.
The Fighting Falcons home opener will take place Saturday, October 1 at 7 p.m. at McMorran Arena against the Jamestown Ironmen.
2011-12 Season tickets are available for just $150 at the Fighting Falcons office inside McMorran Arena. The team recently introduced the "Stars of Tomorrow" package, which includes a ticket to each of the team's seven biggest promotional nights of the season for $46. The first 200 fans to purchase a "Stars of Tomorrow" package will also receive a free round of golf at Black River Country Club.
For more information about season ticket packages, call the Fighting Falcons office at (810) 966-3800, or follow the Fighting Falcons on Facebook (Port Huron Fighting Falcons - NAHL) and Twitter (@PHhockeyNAHL!).
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North American Hockey League Stories from September 17, 2011
- Janesville Jets Win NAHL Showcase Crown - Janesville Jets
- Fighting Falcons Fall to Ice Dogs in Shootout - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Blues' Struggles Continue - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Janesville Jets Crowned NAHL Showcase Champions - NAHL
- Wildcats Down Bruins on Showcase's Final Day - Austin Bruins
- Jr. K-Wings Have Four Different Goal Scorers Contribute To Victory - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Warriors End Combat Hockey/NAHL Showcase Games with 3-1 Record - Michigan Warriors
- Wild Win 2nd Straight Tournament Game - Wenatchee Wild
- Stars Earn Stripes: TC Nets 4-0 Win, 3-0-1 Showcase Mark - Traverse City North Stars
- Texas Meltdown - Springfield Jr. Blues
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