Weekend Split Puts Port Huron Back Atop NAHL
November 5, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release
PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Fighting Falcons find themselves atop the North American Hockey League standings once again following a weekend split with the Johnstown Tomahawks. The Fighting Falcons earned three of four points with a win Saturday night and an overtime loss yesterday afternoon.
With the split, Port Huron moves to 11-2-4 overall, and their 26 points leads the league.
The Fighting Falcons have parlayed a balanced offensive attack and strong defense and goaltending into the best start in franchise history.
Four different players scored in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Tomahawks. Goalie Alex Blankenburg's bid for his first shutout of the season ended with less than five minutes to play.
Of the 47 NAHL goalies to appear in four or more games, Blankenburg is the last with a perfect record on the season. At 7-0-0, the second-year netminder is third among NAHL goalies in goals against average (1.45), and fourth in save percentage (0.946).
Port Huron's chance at their second sweep of the season in Johnstown fell just short Sunday afternoon, when the Tomahawks eked out a 4-3 overtime win.
Max Milosek topped 40 saves for the second time in his last three starts, but the Fighting Falcons were held scoreless for the last 29 minutes of the game, giving the Tomahawks a chance to get the win.
With the weekend split, the Fighting Falcons have gone six games in a row without a regulation loss for the second time of the 2013-14 season.
Port Huron is third in the NAHL in goals scored (55), and find themselves in the league's top 10 on the power play (16.7%) and the penalty kill (88.9%).
The Fighting Falcons' offense has been so balanced, that despite their spot atop the league standings, no Port Huron skater is in the top 15 in scoring. Five Fighting Falcons players have reached double-digit scoring through 17 games.
Every forward on Port Huron's roster has scored at least one goal, and every defenseman with more than five games played has four points or more. No player has more than one game-winning goal.
The first-place Fighting Falcons return to McMorran Arena for a weekend series with the Soo Eagles this Friday and Saturday night. Each game begins at 7 p.m., as Port Huron hosts the Soo for the first time since the Eagles ended the Fighting Falcons 2012-13 season at McMorran Arena in the second round of the playoffs last year.
Tickets are available at the McMorran Arena Box Office starting at just $7 for seniors, students and military. For more information, contact the Fighting Falcons office at (810) 966-3800.
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