BLACK BEARS SWEEP PROWLERS WITH 7-3 WIN

by Rob Lippolis

BINGHAMTON – Tyler Gjurich recorded a hat trick and Owen Liskiewicz stopped 44 shots in a 7-3 victory over the Port Huron Prowlers on Saturday night to complete the weekend sweep.

 

Port Huron took the lead just 17 seconds into the game on a shot from the point. Alex Johnson gathered the puck and sent a low shot on net that went under the pads Owen Liskiewicz for the early advantage. Cade Lambdin and Stavros Soilis were credited with the assists for a 1-0 lead.

 

Larri Vartianen gave the Prowlers a 2-0 lead at 8:20 of the opening period. Johnson set up Vartianen with a one timer and he blasted a slap shot over the left shoulder of Liskiewicz for his seventh of the year. Assists on the goal were given to Johnson and Dalton Jay.

 

Jay got in on the scoring later in the first period. Zachary Fresura dropped the puck back to Matt Graham who fed Jay for a tap-in goal. The goal was Jay’s 18th of the year from Fresura and Graham and Port Huron took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission and a 21-9 shot advantage.

 

Binghamton responded with three goals in the second period to tie the game at three goals apiece. Tyler Gjurich recorded all three goals for the hat trick and got started on a deflection in front of the net at 6:43 of the second frame. Kyle Powell and Kyle Sherman collected assists and Binghamton trailed 2-1.

 

On a delayed penalty, Gjurich scored his second of the period to get Binghamton within one. Gjurich took a great pass from Powell and leaned to deflected it by goaltender Cory Simons and the Black Bears trailed 3-2. The goal game at 8:03 of the second with assists from Powell and Erik Oganezov.

 

Gjurich completed the second-period hat trick with a great move to tie the game. After receiving a pass, Gjurich put a move on the defense and sent a rising backhander over the left shoulder of Simons. The goal was Gjurich’s third of the game and 13th of the year. Powell and MJ Maerkl were given the assists and the game was tied 3-3 heading into the third.

 

Thomas Aldworth gave the Black Bears a 4-3 lead just 1:31 into the third period as he sent a shot over the shoulder of Simons and just under the cross bar for the lead. The goal was Aldworth’s third of the year with the only assist from Josh Newberg.

 

Aldworth gave Binghamton a 5-3 lead at 6:25 of the third. Nikita Ivashkin made a great move and set up Aldworth with a tap-in goal for his second of the night and fourth of the year.

 

Ivashkin and Newberg each added to the lead and the Black Bears came away with the 7-3 win. Liskiewicz stopped 44 shots in the win.

The Black Bears return home Friday night against Danbury at 7 p.m. It’s Lupos Spiedie Night with special Lupos themed jerseys! They will be available for auction to benefit local charity! The Black Bears then host Watertown on Sunday, January 16 in a special 3 p.m. puck drop!