By David Dell
PORT HURON – The Prowlers wrapped up their three-game series against the visiting Watertown (NY) Wolves Sunday, and it wasn’t a pretty sight.
Just 27 seconds into the game, a bad bounce got the puck past Bryan Parsons and it was promptly picked up and taken the length of the ice for a break-away goal by Tate Leeson. Play was back and forth for the next 7:30 before Leeson was called for a major Boarding penalty. The Prowlers were unable to score during the five-minute penalty on five shots although Mitch Jones had a powerful opportunity on a hard rebound off Josh Rosenzweig. The Wolves came back at 13:48 for another goal by Noah Doyle. Austin Fetterly (7th of the season) split the score with an even-strength goal at 14:10, with help from Tucker Scantlebury and Liam Freeborn. Watertown’s Tate Leeson gave the Wolves a two-goal lead again at 19:50. Port Huron led with 10-8 shots on goal for the period.
1:34 into the second frame, Tristan Simm (9th of the season) cut the leave to one goal again on feeds from Sam Marit and Matt Graham. The goal also prompted Watertown’s coach to replace Rosenzweig with Spencer Kozlowski in goal. Leeson gave the Prowlers another powerplay when he flipped the puck over the glass, but they were only able to get one shot off. Port Huron was able to dominate most of the next seven minutes before Braden Deck was tangled up and drew a Tripping minor at 14:52. The Prowlers’ penalty kill was effective by allowing only one shot on goal during the powerplay. With 12 seconds remaining in the penalty, Frank Schumacher was whistled for Slashing, extending the man advantage. This time the kill wasn’t as effective allowing a powerplay goal again with just 12 seconds remaining. Alexsandr Gamaztov doubled the score up 4-2 at 18:32 of the period. Port Huron again led in shots on goal 16-9.
After a couple of inconsequential minors on Port Huron and Watertown, Bryan Parsons’ Slashing minor at 6:29 allowed the Wolves’ Tate Leeson to finish the Hat Trick boosting the lead to three, 5-2. A bench minor for Too Many Men at 9:35 put the Prowlers on the penalty kill again which Watertown controlled and dominated play for the next six minutes but were unable to beat Makar Sokolov. 15:51 brought a rare penalty to Prowlers Captain Evan Foley when he and Dakota Seaman got into a shouting match both resulting in Unsportsmanlike Conduct, after an Interference call against Wolves Joshua Tomasi. With the resulting powerplay, Port Huron also pulled Sokolov for a 6-4, before Liam Freeborn’s Slashing minor at 17:59. Watertown’s Marc Bottero’s Boarding minor put the Prowlers back on the powerplay and with Sokolov on the bench, Dalton Jay (7th of the season) was able to beat Kozlowski all alone. Shots on goal were even at 12 but Port Huron was on the short end of the big board 5-3.
The Prowlers were able to pick up 6 of 9 available points and remain in 4th place behind the Mississippi Seawolves by two points with a game in hand. Port Huron plays in Fraser on Friday 19 January before hosting the Motor City Rockers at McMorran again on Saturday the 20th.
