Polin's Four Goals Push Fighting Falcons Past Mustangs
September 16, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
BLAINE, MN -* The Port Huron Fighting Falcons won their third game in as many days when they took out the New Mexico Mustangs 7-3 in the first game of day three of the 2011 NAHL Showcase at Schwans Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota.
Kody Polin tied a team record with four goals in the victory, and Easton Powers tallied a goal and two assists. The two 2011 draft picks are now tied for the team lead with four points apiece.
Veteran Max Reavis had a goal and two assists of his own as one of nine Fighting Falcons skaters to register a point in the victory.
New Mexico got on the board first, when Matt Robinson beat Port Huron goalie Peter Megariotis with one minute remaining in the first period.
Bill Warren's Fighting Falcons responded like never before, scoring the game's next six goals.
Polin lit the lamp at the tail end of a power play opportunity three minutes into the second period, the first of three Port Huron goals in a three minute stretch. Powers and defenseman Sean Gammage scored the other two before Polin added his second power play goal at 11:11 of the second period.
Max Reavis netted his first goal of the season 11:37 of the third period. Polin earned a hat trick with his third goal of the day just 16 seconds later, the shortest span between goals scored in Fighting Falcons franchise history.
A pair of Mustang goals cut the margin to three goals, but Polin scored on an empty net to seal the Fighting Falcons third victory in three days.
Nico Sierra and Mike Moroso each had two assists in Friday's game. Rick DeRosa, Alex Globke and Zach Mohr had one assist apiece.
Megariotis stopped 18 of 21 shots to earn his second win of the season. Randy Graham allowed six goals and made 22 saves in the loss.
The Fighting Falcons outshot the Mustangs 29-21 overall, with a 22-11 edge over the final two periods.
In their inaugural season, it took the Fighting Falcons 36 games to earn their third win. The team was a late addition to the NAHL, and did not get the opportunity to take part in the draft.
The buzz around the Fighting Falcons has been growing steadily since they beat the 2010-11 Central Division champion Alexandria Blizzard on Wednesday. On Thursday, they earned a victory over the Topeka RoadRunners, who led the league in wins and points last season.
Port Huron has a chance to put an exclamation point on their trip to Minnesota Saturday, when they take on the 2011 Robertson Cup champion Fairbanks Ice Dogs Saturday at 5:45 CST.
The Fighting Falcons and Ice Dogs are two of a handful of teams to win their first three games of the Showcase. Depending on the rest of Friday's action, their matchup may be Saturday's only game between teams without a loss in Blaine.
In other North Division action, the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings earned their first NAHL victory in convincing fashion with an 8-2 win over the Dawson Creek Rampage. The Traverse City North Stars lost 5-4 in a shootout against the Aberdeen Wings, and the Jamestown Ironmen were shut out by the Alaska Avalanche 2-0. The Michigan Warriors will take on the Austin Bruins in a 7:45 CST matchup.
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 16, 2011
- NAHL Showcase Results: Day 3 - NAHL
- Bruins lose to Michigan 7-6 - Austin Bruins
- Bulls Still Unbeaten at NAHL Showcase Beat Bismarck Bobcats 5-1 - Amarillo Bulls
- Bobcats Drop 5-1 Decision to Amarillo - Bismarck Bobcats
- Bruins Fall to Monsters - Austin Bruins
- Polin's Four Goals Push Fighting Falcons Past Mustangs - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Nichols Shuts out IceRays - Wenatchee Wild
- Monsters Partner to Find Next Little Caesars Mascot - Fresno Monsters
- McDonald's Powerful Play Lifts Jr. K-Wings - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Stars Drop Lead, Shootout to Aberdeen - Traverse City North Stars
- Jr. Blues Fall to Fairbanks - Springfield Jr. Blues
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