FPHL Ice Chips - Game Recaps
FPHL Federal Prospects Hockey League

FPHL Ice Chips - Game Recaps

Published on February 20, 2026 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release


Game Recaps for the Federal Prospects Hockey League for Thursday, February 19, 2026.

View photos, box scores and much more at federalhockey.com

PORT HURON PROWLERS at TOPEKA SCARECROWS

Topeka Comes Back, But Can't Win First Shootout, 3-2

By Jon Kliment

Topeka, KS -The Scarecrows returned home in the middle of a four game winning streak as they looked to move into sole possession of second place for the first time this season. With Port Huron in town each side can give themselves a big hand up towards the postseason as they seek out home ice advantage. With half the season series being played in the next month the winner of this season series could guarantee themselves positioning in round one.

The Prowlers came out attacking in period one and 6:08 into the first period after a successful cycle Luke James found the puck in front of the net and put it over Sammy Bernard's shoulder for the 1-0 lead. 12:12 into the first it was a fluky play that saw the pressure deep inside the Topeka zone again and an odd deflection off of Alexander Ray gave Port Huron the 2-0 lead.

Topeka found a way to respond in the second period as after a TJ Sneath and Elijah Wilson opportunity were denied Scott Coash picked up the loose puck and buried it behind Bailey Huber to bring Topeka back to within a goal 2-1 just 3:12 into the period. The Scarecrows went flying again as a Cory Checco shot at 8:38 rebounded off Huber and hit Boston Bird bouncing to the back of the net to tie the game up 2-2.

Neither side found the back of the net in the third or in the three on three overtime so for the first time in their history Topeka went to a shootout. Bobby Price opened up for Port Huron and found room behind Bernard to go up 1-0. Wilson went next for the Scarecrows and was stonewalled. Reggie Millette was stopped by Sammy Bernard in the second round. Connor Lind went forehand backhand to tie up the shootout at a goal a piece, however Alex Johnson kept the celebration short-lived as he was able to beat Bernard for the 2-1 lead. Alex Norwinski was stopped in round three giving Port Huron the extra point.

Bernard stopped 34 of 36 in the shootout loss.

Topeka returns to action here at Landon Arena tomorrow night at 7:05pm.

Prowlers Take Control of 2nd After Shootout Win

By Will Wiegelman

Topeka, KS -The Port Huron Prowlers went to a shootout for the second-straight game and came through to beat the Topeka Scarecrows 3-2 at Landon Arena in Topeka, Kansas. Bobby Price and Alex Johnson scored in the skills competition while Bailey Huber stopped two of three Topeka shooters.

Port Huron got the scoring going in the first. After a long shift of cycling in the offensive zone, Arttu Heikkilä found Luke James in the slot for the ice breaker. Later in the period, that same line struck again. Heikkilä wheeled to the top of the zone and threw the puck on net. It deflected off of Alex Ray in front. It was Ray's first professional goal and it made the score 2-0 heading into the second.

"It was good," Ray said. "I was just getting in front of the net, it got greasy and it got in. I was happy with that."

The Scarecrows struck back in the middle frame. They had a strong offensive zone shift and in a scramble, the puck popped out to Scott Coash who buried his team-leading 19th goal of the season. Then, Cory Checco's shot was stopped but the rebound caromed in off of Boston Bird. The Prowlers challenged for a kicking motion but the goal stood.

"I saw a kicking motion," said Prowlers associate head coach Chris Paulin. "I think it's one of the most subjective things in hockey right now; what a kick is. I still don't know, it looked like a kick to me. Definitely worth a challenge."

The 2-2 tie also stood through the rest of the second period, the entire third and overtime which led to the first shootout in Scarecrows history.

Price scored on the first shot. Connor Lind tied it in the second round before Johnson gave Port Huron the lead back in the top of the third. Huber denied Alex Norwinski to end it.

"We changed the shootout order a little bit [from last Saturday]," Paulin said. "I wanted Bobby number one, he did a great job, great goal. I love Reggie's move too, but we saw something. I actually had somebody else going third and then called an audible last second to get Johnny in there."

Ray added his first pro assist to his goal. Heikkilä assisted on both Prowlers tallies while Huber made 32 saves to go along with two shootout saves.

Sammy Bernard stopped 33 shots and went 1-3 in the shootout.

Port Huron now sits one point ahead of Topeka for second in the Empire Division and these teams have two more meetings this week. Their next one is scheduled for 8:05 P.M. eastern on Feb. 20 and can be seen on the PHP Network YouTube channel.

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Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2026


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