By David Dell
PORT HURON- Dropping the home opener against the Watertown Wolves Friday night, the Prowlers hoped to bounce back and put up another marker in the Win column Saturday at McMorran Arena.
Four seconds into the game, Ben Brockway who had a fight Friday, squared up with former Prowler Dustin Henning who also fought Friday night. Brockway lost his footing as he came into Henning and just like that Paul Jene’s linesmen stepped in and called it done. At face off take two, Bryan Parsons and Zachary Ross picked up where the previous scuffle ended. Spinning in circles at center ice, the decision goes to Parsons. Third times a charm and the ensuing face off, started productive hockey.
Dylan Marty (1st of the season) gained the Watertown zone and got tangled up with a defender as he tried putting the puck on net from the right side. His shot was blockered away by Breandan Colgan and was swept to the left-wing point. Ben Brockway in going to the net with the puck, put it right on Marty’s stick who easily tapped it past Colgan to put the Prowlers on top. Player Coach Alex Johnson drew a whistle for Hooking and Brad Reitter took advantage of the power play to even things up 1-1 at 12:21. Port Huron led 13-11 in shots on goal at the end of 20 minutes.
A scoreless 2nd period saw another flurry of penalties. Brockway got into his second fight of the night with Quinn Chevers who both drew Fighting majors. Chevers also picked up a minor for Lewd/Inappropriate Gesture which also carried a Game Misconduct and an ejection, at 5:57. Port Huron had a 5-3 for just under three minutes at the 13:00 mark on 57 seconds remaining to Andre Simonchyk and two minutes to Reitter for Tripping. They were unable to get a shot on goal, at Lukas Lachny was awarded a 10-minute misconduct at 18:29 for Abuse of officials. The Prowlers had an 11-7 shot advantage during the frame.
With 20 minutes remaining in a tied game, it was all new again. Aartu Heikkila (2nd of the season) was given a pass from the right-wing side by Reggie Millette who made the easy snapshot going far side under Colgan’s trapper to light the red lamp and take the lead at 8:06. The Wolves pulled Colgan with 33 seconds remaining for an extra attacker but were unable to make it work.
Bailey Huber got his first win in goal, in his first professional game, for Port Huron stopping 23 of 24 shots and putting the Prowlers at 3-1-0 for the young season.
Port Huron played in specialty sweaters adorned with the business logos of nine local business that have supported the Prowlers this season. Representatives of those businesses were recognized during pre-game festivities and the sweaters auctioned off after the game.
The Prowlers face the expansion Topeka Scarecrows 24 and 25 October at McMorran Arena and celebrate with the team as they hold October Fest/UM v MSU night on the 24th. Wear your favorite Michigan university clothing for a friendly rivalry in the stands, and on the 25th, come to the rink with your best Country and Western garb!
The Port Huron Prowlers, now in their 11th consecutive season, are the longest tenured team in the FPHL.
