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Port Huron Increases Division Lead with Weekend Sweep

February 17, 2014 - 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, enjoyed a weekend sweep of the Springfield Jr. Blues over the weekend at McMorran Arena, with a 3-0 shutout on Friday, and a thrilling 3-2 shootout win Saturday.

 

With the sweep, the Fighting Falcons (26-12-8) became the first North Division team to reach 60 points, and have extended their lead atop the division standings to six points over the Michigan Warriors. By picking up a point in Saturday's loss, Springfield (20-20-7) is now tied with the Soo Eagles for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division.

 

The Fighting Falcons and their fans raised over $4,000 for the family of goalie coach Scott Nichols, who passed away January 31. Several local businesses made generous donations to a silent auction, and fans came through with over $2,000 in bids. Winners of 50/50 drawings each night made sizable donations to the family.

 

Detroit Red Wings legend and four-time Stanley Cup champion Tomas Holmstrom took signed autographs for Fighting Falcons fans Saturday night, and met with season ticket holders and sponsors in an exclusive VIP party before the game. Sponsors like Freighters Restaurant, SEMCO, Reasonable Roofing and Precision Printing made Holmstrom's Saturday night visit possible.

 

The Fighting Falcons controlled Friday's game from start to finish, as they outshot the Jr. Blues 39-24 and scored once in each period for a 3-0 win.

 

Max Milosek earned his third shutout of the 2013-14 season in the win, with all three shutouts coming in his last four home starts. The Lapeer native has allowed just two goals in his four home starts in 2014. The three-year veteran extended his own franchise record to 10 career shutouts with Port Huron.

 

Bryce VanHorn's unassisted goal early in the first period would prove to be the game winner, with Austin Romzek adding a score in the second period and captain Bryan Yim tallying his 12th of the season in the third to put the game away.

 

VanHorn made it a two-point night with an assist, and Elliot Tisdale, Matt Seidel and Reed Scahill each added a helper of their own.

 

Saturday's game followed a similar script before a wild finish sent the game to overtime. Port Huron nearly doubled Springfield in shots on net, with a 39-20 edge.

 

Third period goals from Zach Badalamenti and Austin Romzek appeared to put the game away, as Alex Blankenburg and the Fighting Falcons had held the Jr. Blues scoreless through the first 58:30 of the game, but a pair of late penalties gave Springfield the opportunity to score with a 6-on-3 advantage. Just 18 seconds later, a 6-on-4 goal tied the game.

 

A scoreless overtime led to a shootout, where Noah Batis and Matt Seidel scored to give Port Huron its first home sweep since January 3 and 4. Blankenburg stopped all four Springfield shooters to snap a four-game losing streak.

 

Matt Jones, Logan Lambdin, Elliot Tisdale and Alex Archibald chipped in with one assist each in Saturday's win.

 

Lambdin is the third Fighting Falcons player to reach 30 points on the season, joining Yim and Badalamenti, as his assist was number 15 on the season to go with 15 goals.

 

With a goal in each game, Romzek is now riding a three-game goal streak, and has scored in each of Port Huron's last three home games.

 

Tisdale, who had just eight points in 32 games with Brookings this season, earned a point in each of his first two games with Port Huron, after being acquired at the NAHL's trade deadline.

 

 

The Fighting Falcons will return to home ice this weekend, as they host the Janesville Jets Saturday night at 7 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. The Jets swept the Fighting Falcons in Janesville earlier this month after Port Huron had raced out to a 4-0 lead in the season series.

 

Tickets to any Fighting Falcons home game are available at the McMorran Arena Box Office, starting at just $7 for seniors, students and military. For more information, call the team's front office at (810) 966-3800.



North American Hockey League Stories from February 17, 2014


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