By David Dell
PORT HURON- The Prowlers hosted the Binghamton Black Bears Halloween night and after starting fairly evenly, got a bit scary at McMorran Arena as the game wore on.
The back-to-back defending Commissioner’s Cup championship Bears got out to a solid lead before Port Huron got on track. Austin Thompson found the back of the net behind Bailey Huber who had just won his first professional game in his first professional start last weekend. Auistin D’Orazio picked up the loose puck behind the net and centered it for Thompson who over the glove of Huber. The Prowlers would best Binghampton14-10 in shots for the period but trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Lukas Lacney’s Slashing minor at 2:23 set up a Bears’ powerplay goal at 3:01. At 3:53 Thompson put up his second marker even strength. A minute and a half later Scott Ramaeker put the visitors up 4-0 at 5:01, also even strength. Timothy Organ picked up a Hooking call at 8:26 and Binghamton capitalized with tally number 5 at 9:41. Shots were even at 10 apiece after two periods but the scoring was very lopsided.
In his post-game presser Associate Head Coach Chris Paulin said, “We didn’t move our feet for 40 minutes, pathetic effort,” The third period was the bright spot of the night. Austin Thompson sat for a minor Roughing call at 3:49, followed by Mac Jansen for Hooking at 4:26 giving Port Huron a short 5 on 3, that Player Coach Matt Graham (4h of the season) took to the net at 4:58. Reggie Millette, let a shot rip from the right-wing point, that hit Graham. The puck stayed loose, and Graham was able to jam away at it before it crossed the line to light the lamp. 9:36 of the frame saw Timothy Organ get his milestone first professional goal, on another assist by Millette. Millette crossed the ice along the blue line shoveling a pass to Organ all alone on the left-wing point. His wind up was clean and Dominik Tmej, couldn’t close the 5-hole quick enough to stop the Prowlers from getting back another goal to cut the lead down 5-2. Binghamton gave the home team another 5-3 advantage with Cameron Clark serving a Bench minor, and Zachary Desmaris sitting out for Holding the Stick. Graham (5th of the season) got a tip in, off Austin Fetterly’s shot from the top of the slot. Millette had just hammered a shot that Tmej was able to kick out and the powerplay unit pounced. Port Huron trailed by two at 19:30 when Huber was pulled for the extra attacker to no avail.
AHC Paulin added in his conference, “I think the guys played well in the last 20 but when the execution is that poor (in the first 40), you’re not going to win against any team.” The Prowlers held Binghamton to just 7 shots in the period but just couldn’t overcome the deficit they started the stanza with.
Port Huron holds second place in the Empire Division with a 5-2-0 record.
The Port Huron Prowlers, now in their 11th consecutive season, are the longest tenured team in the FPHL.
