BLACK BEARS COME BACK TO DOWN PROWLERS 5-4

by Rob Lippolis

PORT HURON – Tyler Gjurich scored the game-winning goal in the third period as the Binghamton Black Bears erased a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Port Huron Prowlers on Friday night, 5-4, inside McMorran Arena.

 

Port Huron quickly built a 3-0 lead in the first period. Alex Johnson started the scoring just 2:22 into the game with his 10th goal of the year for a 1-0 lead. Assists were given to Steven Fowler and Mike Moroso.

 

Dalton Jay scored back-to-back goals to give the Prowlers a 3-0 advantage. His first came at 5:27 of the first period and his second came at the 8:32 mark.

 

Binghamton answered back as Mo Levac tipped a Tyler Gjurich shot on the power play to get the Black Bears on the board. Levac’s goal was his first with Binghamton and came against his former team at 9:11 of the first and the Black Bears trailed 3-1.

 

The Black Bears scored twice in the final minute to tie the game. Gavin Yates pushed in a rebound on the side of the net to get Binghamton within one. Assists were credited to Danny Vanderwiel and Brandon Contratto with 36 seconds remaining in period one.

 

Nikita Ivashkin scored with less than four seconds remaining in the first period to tie the game at three. Ivashkin shot in a rebound chance after a Thomas Aldworth chance on the right side of the crease to tie the game 3-3. Aldworth and Colan Fitzgerald were awarded the assists on Ivashkin’s 40th goal of the year.

 

Evan Foley scored a shorthanded goal in the second period to give the Prowlers a 4-3 lead. Foley took a long pass from Dalton Jay and beat goaltender Owen Liskiewicz through the legs for his first of the year at 14:57 of the second.

 

Tyler Gjurich responded to tie the game at four. On the power play, Gjurich batted the puck out of the air and into the net for his 22nd of the year from Cam Yarwood and Kyle Powell. Gjurich’s strike came at 18:06 and the game was tied 4-4 to start the third.

 

In the third, Gjurich fired a shot from the right circle that went over the shoulder of Greg Harney for a 5-4 lead. The goal was assisted by Mo Levac and Kyle Powell and came with 7:47 left in regulation. Gjurich’s third-period goal held on as the winner. Liskiewicz stopped 29 shots in the win.

 

The Black Bears return home on Saturday, February 19 for Military Appreciation Night presented by Lockheed Martin. The Black Bears will be wearing special military-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off for charity. Also, all active-duty military and veterans get a special $5 ticket! Get your tickets at www.binghamtonblackbears.com/tickets.