Fighting Falcons Take 3 Points vs. Michigan Warriors
October 28, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Fighting Falcons took three of four points from the Michigan Warriors in a home-and-home series this weekend, holding their spot atop the NAHL's North Division in the process. Port Huron has a five-point lead over the Warriors, who moved up to second place in the divisional standings as the teams split two games that went to the shootout.
Strong goaltending on both sides would prove to be the story of Saturday's contest at Perani Arena in Flint, as each team managed just a single power play goal throughout regulation. Mitch Maloney scored late in the second period for the Fighting Falcons, but a Warriors goal with less than five minutes to play sent the game to overtime.
Neither team could find the back of the net in the extra frame, so the game headed to a shootout.
Port Huron's Alex Blankenburg capped off a great night in net, turning away all six Michigan attempts after making a season-high 39 saves throughout the game. Noah Batis scored the lone goal of the shootout to give the Fighting Falcons their first win in Flint this season.
Saturday's win made the Fighting Falcons the first team in the North Division to reach ten wins this season.
Sunday's matinee matchup was the Fighting Falcons first game in front of their home crowd since their sweep of the Wenatchee Wild October 12 and 13. Following a tremendous performance of the national anthem by the Voice of the Detroit Red Wings Karen Newman, Port Huron scored on their first shot of the game.
Bryan Yim's goal less than a minute into the action gave the Fighting Falcons a lead that would last just 32 seconds. Linemates Mitch Maloney and Vito Aluia assisted on the captain's goal, which made him the fourth Fighting Falcons player to reach double-digit points this season.
Fighting Falcons goalie Max Milosek earned a rare assist on Logan's Lambdin's goal in the second period, but the Warriors would again answer back to tie the game.
Port Huron found itself trailing near the midway point of the third period before leading scorer Mitch Maloney's second goal in as many nights tied the game. Vito Aluia earned his third assist of the weekend on the play, and defenseman Nick LeSage assisted as well.
Ten minutes of scoreless hockey sent the game to overtime, where the Fighting Falcons fired six shots on net but were unable to put the game away.
It took ten shootout rounds for the Michigan Warriors to hand the Fighting Falcons their first loss on home ice this season.
With points in both games this weekend, Port Huron's Bryan Yim has extended his point streak to five games. Yim's linemates Mitch Maloney and Vito Aluia each tallied three points on the weekend, and have scored a point in four of their last five games.
The Fighting Falcons improved to 10-2-3 with their weekend split, and are tied for second in the league with 23 points.
The team will travel to Johnstown, PA to take on the Tomahawks this weekend before returning to home ice when they take on the Soo Eagles Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9.
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