Fighting Falcons Open 2011-12 Season with Shootout Win
September 14, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
BLAINE, MN - It took just 35 seconds for the Port Huron Fighting Falcons to turn heads at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota. The Fighting Falcons battled to a 2-1 shootout victory over the 2010-11 Central Division champion Alexandria Blizzard in the first game of their second NAHL season.
Zach Mohr beat Blizzard goalie Jameson Shortreed in the first minute of the game to give the Fighting Falcons a lead that would last for nearly 45 minutes. Easton Powers assisted on the play, which gave both players their first NAHL point.
The Fighting Falcons were unable to capitalize on any of their seven power play opportunities in the first two periods, and found themselves outshot 14-13 heading into the third.
Alexandria's Connor Johnston deflected a loose puck past Port Huron's Peter Megariotis at 5:09 of the third period to tie the game. Strong goaltending on each side took the game to overtime, and neither team would score in the extra time.
Port Huron outshot Alexandria 6-1 in overtime, and built on that momentum in the first shootout of the NAHL Showcase.
Both teams scored on their first shootout attempt, with Nick Horne beating Shortreed and Jordan Palusky sneaking one past Megariotis.
The next two skaters for each team would be stopped before Ian Miller gave the Fighting Falcons a 2-1 advantage. Megariotis stopped his third consecutive shootout attempt, giving Alex Globke a chance to end the game.
Globke obliged, moving right to left and finding the back of the net to give Port Huron a 2-1 win in the regular season opener.
Megariotis stopped 22 of 23 shots in the victory while Shortreed turned away all but one of Port Huron's 31 attempts in regulation.
Port Huron outshot their opponents in just eight of fifty-eight games last season.
The win surprised many at the showcase who knew the Fighting Falcons only as the team who struggled to win six games in their inaugural season. Port Huron's first victory last year came 16 games into the season.
In other North Division action, the 2011 Robertson Cup runner-up Michigan Warriors beat the Chicago Hitmen 4-2, the Jamestown Ironmen fell to the Coulee Region Chill 4-0, and the expansion Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings lost 3-2 in their NAHL debut against the Austin Bruins. The Traverse City North Stars will take on the Texas Tornado in a late game Tuesday.
The Fighting Falcons hope to earn more attention tomorrow when they take on the Topeka RoadRunners at 1:15 CST. Topeka was last season's regular season leaders with 43 wins and 89 points, winning the South Division.
Three of Port Huron's four games this week will be against 2010-11 division winners, including the 2011 Robertson Cup champion Fairbanks IceDogs, who they will take on Saturday. All 2011 NAHL Showcase games will be streamed live at www.nahl.fasthockey.com.
2011-12 Season tickets are still 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!).
North American Hockey League Stories from September 14, 2011
- Lewis 'Solid' in First Showcase Tournament Contest - Wenatchee Wild
- Warriors Open Combat Hockey/NAHL Showcase Tournament with 4-2 Victory - Michigan Warriors
- Fighting Falcons Open 2011-12 Season with Shootout Win - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Bulls Win Season Opener 4-2 Over Alaska - Amarillo Bulls
- Kalamazoo Drops Season Opener in NAHL Showcase - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Austin Bruins Pick up Win in Season Opener - Austin Bruins
- Monsters' Watch Parties Tonight, Thursday - Fresno Monsters
- NAHL Showcase to be Broadcast on FASTHockey - NAHL
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