North Division 1st Round Playoff Preview
April 3, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
PORT HURON, MI -The Port Huron Fighting Falcons, proud members of the North American Hockey League, begin their quest for the Roberston Cup tomorrow night when they take on the Johnstown Tomahawks in first-round North division playoff action. The game takes place at McMorran Arena in downtown Port Huron at 7 p.m. Adult tickets are just $8 for all 2013 home playoff games.
The Fighting Falcons and McMorran Arena have teamed up to offer draft beer for just $2 and 16 oz. cans of beer for just $3 during Thursday's game.
The Fighting Falcons are the hottest team in the NAHL heading into the playoffs, as they won their last eight games of the regular season to overtake Johnstown for the fourth seed in the North division, giving them home ice advantage in the first round.
Port Huron won the regular season series against Johnstown 6-2, with three wins each at home and on the road. These teams have not faced off since February 1, when the Fighting Falcons beat the Tomahawks 5-4 in Johnstown, PA.
Fighting Falcons captain and all-time leading scorer Rick DeRosa has averaged a point per game against the Tomahawks this season, with eight points on two goals and six assists in eight matchups. The Tomahawks are led by Casey Nelson and Cody Gylling, who have six points each against the Fighting Falcons this season.
Port Huron Goalies Max Milosek and Alex Blankenburg split the eight starts against Johnstown during the regular season, each winning three of their four starts. Blankenburg recorded an assist on an empty net goal in Port Huron's 4-2 January 12 matchup. Johnstown's Chris Truehl is the only Tomahawks goalie to beat the Fighting Falcons in the regular season, with a 2-1 record.
The teams will face off Friday night in a possible finale of the best-of-three series. The Tomahawks would host game three Sunday afternoon if necessary.
In the other North division playoff matchup, the third-seed Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings take on the Springfield Jr. Blues, who earned a playoff spot by winning their regular season finale and overtaking the Janesville Jets for the sixth seed. The North division's top two seeded teams, the Soo Eagles and Jamestown Ironmen have earned a first-round bye.
For more information about playoff tickets, contact the Port Huron Fighting Falcons front office at (810) 966-3800.
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North American Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2013
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- North Division 1st Round Playoff Preview - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
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