Record-Setting Weekend Extends Port Huron's Unbeaten-in-Regulation Streak
November 18, 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, increased their unbeaten-in-regulation streak to 10 games with a weekend sweep on the road against the Janesville Jets. The Fighting Falcons earned a 2-1 win Friday night before a record-setting 10-4 win Saturday.
Defenseman Jonathan Kopacka and leading scorer Mitch Maloney lit the lamp for Port Huron Friday night, and the two power play goals were enough for the win. Captain Bryan Yim added a pair of assists, while Matt Jones and Vito Aluia each had a helper of their own.
Janesville ruined the shutout bid early in the second period on Adam Winborg's power play goal.
Alex Blankenburg remains undefeated on the season as he moved to 9-0-0 with Friday's win. The second-year netminder tied a season high with 39 saves on 40 Janesville shots. Blankenburg is now second among all NAHL goalies in goals against average (1.25) and save percentage (0.955).
Blankenburg has allowed one goal or less in each of his last six starts, with three of his five goals against coming on the power play.
Brock Kautz lost Friday's game despite not allowing an even-strength goal, with 27 saves on 29 Fighting Falcons shots.
Friday's defensive battle gave way to an offensive explosion Saturday night.
The Fighting Falcons set a new franchise record with ten goals in Saturday's game. They set a new season high with 47 shots on goal.
Forward Matt Seidel, who was acquired in early October, set a new franchise record with six points on four goals and two assists in his tenth game as a member of the Fighting Falcons. Seidel joins former Fighting Falcons Louis Educate and Kody Polin as the only three players in team history to score four goals in a game.
Saturday's game was close at the halfway point, as Port Huron held a 3-2 lead before adding a pair of goals in the last seven minutes of the second period.
Austin Romzek scored a pair of third period goals to go along with three from Seidel as the Fighting Falcons put the game away in record-setting fashion.
Also scoring for the Fighting Falcons Saturday were Mitch Maloney, Matt Jones, Noah Batis and Logan Lambdin. Joey Lindberg chipped in with three assists, and Zach Badalamenti added two of his own. Vito Aluia, Austin Romzek, Noah Batis, Matt Jones, Jonathan Kopacka, Nick Horne, Bryce VanHorn, Niko Coffman and Bryan Yim had one assist apiece.
Max Milosek earned his sixth win of the season Saturday, with 29 saves on 33 Janesville shots. Two of Janesville's four goals came on the power play.
Brock Kautz took his second loss of the weekend, allowing seven goals on 43 shots before being pulled in favor of Logan Halladay, who allowed goals on three of the four shots he faced.
Mitch Maloney has scored a goal in four consecutive games, and became the first Port Huron skater to reach double-digit goals on the season. The second-year forward leads the team with 19 points on 11 goals and eight assists.
With the sweep, the Fighting Falcons improve to 15-2-4 on the season. They are second in the NAHL in points (34), winning percentage (0.810) and goals scored (74). Port Huron is 8-0-2 in their last ten games, and has not lost in regulation since October 9. No team has fewer regulation losses (2) than the Fighting Falcons this season.
Port Huron sits six points ahead of the Michigan Warriors in the North Division standings The Warriors are on a 13-game unbeaten-in-regulation streak of their own, and swept the Soo Eagles this weekend to keep Port Huron from extending their lead in the division.
The first-place Fighting Falcons hit the road again this weekend for their final road series with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the season. Port Huron is 3-0-1 in four games against Johnstown so far this year.
The team makes its return to McMorran Arena November 30 and December 1 when the host the Springfield Jr. Blues for "Retro Weekend." The Fighting Falcons will wear throwback jerseys honoring the Port Huron Flags, who played 16 memorable seasons in the International Hockey League at McMorran Arena in the 1960s and 1970s. Fans can pre-order the game-worn jerseys for just $100 by calling the Fighting Falcons' front office at (810) 966-3800.
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North American Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2013
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- Record-Setting Weekend Extends Port Huron's Unbeaten-in-Regulation Streak - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
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