Port Huron Begins Season's Final Week
March 22, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Fighting Falcons will wrap up their inaugural season in the North American Hockey League this week, as they play the final three games on their schedule. The team will host the Michigan Warriors Wednesday at McMorran Arena before a home-and-home series with the North Stars Friday in Traverse City and Saturday in Port Huron.
Following over nine hours on the team bus, the Fighting Falcons took on the Springfield Jr. Blues three times in three days last weekend at the Nelson Center in Springfield, Illinois. Port Huron's first franchise win came against Springfield back in November.
The Fighting Falcons scored first in two of the three games over the weekend, but were not able to earn a second victory over the Jr. Blues.
Springfield overcame a late Port Huron lead Friday, scoring twice in the last four minutes to earn a 4-3 victory. Adam Frank, Nico Sierra and Logan Lemirande scored for the Fighting Falcons, with Frank Harrison, Rudi Pino, Lemirande and Derek McPherson chipping in with assists. Tyler Last made 38 saves in a losing effort.
Port Huron fought hard in another tough game Saturday night, falling 4-2. Mitch Sand and Rudi Pino's goals kept the Fighting Falcons within one in the third period before an empty net goal gave the Jr. Blues the victory. Leonid Kovalev, Ian Miller, Ricky DeRosa and Travis Hill earned assists for Port Huron. Peter Megariotis stopped 31 shots before being pulled for an extra attacker with less than a minute to play.
Sunday marked the home finale for the Jr. Blues, who gave an announced crowd of over 1500 fans something to cheer about with a 7-2 win over the Fighting Falcons. Sean Gammage opened the scoring with an unassisted goal just past the midway point of the first period, but Springfield would net the game's next five goals. Mitch Sand scored for the second time of the weekend on a goal that gave Port Huron's Mitch Fernandez his first career NAHL point.
No Fighting Falcons' forwards were able to light the lamp, however, and the Jr. Blues added two more goals late in the third period.
Megariotis made his second start in as many days, but was pulled in favor of Last after Springfield's third goal early in the second period. Port Huron's goaltending duo was charged with the difficult task of facing 51 shots, a season-high.
Springfield fired at least 10 shots in eight of nine period over the weekend. Port Huron has allowed double-digit shots in 17 of 21 periods played in March.
A pair of Chicago Hitmen losses leave them five points ahead of the Fighting Falcons for the seventh spot in the NAHL's North Division. To avoid an eighth-place finish, Port Huron must sweep their final three games while hoping for the Hitmen to lose their final series against the first-place St. Louis Bandits.
Wednesday night the Fighting Falcons will take on the Michigan Warriors. Five of Port Huron's 17 points have come against Michigan, and the Warriors are the only team to lose twice to the Fighting Falcons this season. Irish Idol winner Kaylyn Pace will sing the national anthem before the final matchup between the Fighting Falcons and the Warriors.
The team will travel to Traverse City in search of their first win against the North Stars Friday. The Fighting Falcons host the North Stars the following night to close out the home-and-home series as well as the 2010-11 season.
A silent auction raffle for prizes from many Blue Water Area businesses will take place at Saturday's game to benefit the Blue Water Area Humane Society. The Fighting Falcons have worked closely with the Humane Society throughout their inaugural season, posting photos and links to adoptable pets at www.phfightingfalcons.com and making a large donation with the proceeds of their Star Wars Night jersey auction.
In the Community: As they are playing three games for the third consecutive week, the Fighting Falcons will only be making one community appearance this week. Tuesday afternoon a group of players will head to Croswell's Frostick Elemetary to read to students and families... Wednesday's game against the Warriors will be the last chance for fans to purchase tickets to the Fighting Falcons Booster Club's end-of-the-year banquet. The banquet will take place March 29 at 6 p.m. at the Under the Ice Lounge at McMorran Place. Tickets are $20.
Attack Zone tickets to all remaining Fighting Falcons home games are just $5 at the McMorran Arena Box Office. All tickets purchased before the day of the game will come with a coupon for a free drink at Port Huron 7-11 locations. Season tickets for the 2011-12 campaign are available now for just $150 in any section of the arena. For more information, call the Fighting Falcons office at (810) 966-3800.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2011
- Monsters Weekly - Fresno Monsters
- Jr. K-Wings Tender Signing Named Mr. Hockey - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Bulls Weekly - Amarillo Bulls
- Port Huron Begins Season's Final Week - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
- Michigan Warriors Regular Season Final Home Weekend - Michigan Warriors
- Updates and Reminders - Corpus Christi IceRays
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