Dashers Take Weekend Series from Prowlers

By Nate Williamson

Danville, IL - The Danville Dashers defeated the Port Huron Prowlers, 4-3 on Sunday evening behind strong team play and tenacious defense. Danville took the series, 2-1 as new Head Coach Rod Davidson works to end the team's recent struggles.

The lone goal of the first period came just 3:11 in as Justin Brausen deked his way through the Prowlers defense with some stunning puck work. He found himself one-on-one with Port Huron's goaltender Rick Odria and slotted home in his first game back after serving a two-game suspension. Brandon Contratto and Patrik Zilak got assists on the goal. 

Daniel Martin fired home for the Dashers at 6:54 in the second period on assists from linemates Brandon Contratto and Nathan Pelligra. Martin scored on the power play to extend the Dashers' lead to two goals, and Brandon Contratto found the back of the net on assists from Martin and Ryan Alves under a minute later. The Dashers appeared to be coasting home midway through the period with a 3-0 lead until Matyas Kasek notched his first goal of the night, beating Matt Kaludis to the stick side, finding the top shelf to put Port Huron on the board.

Nathan Pelligra answered back just 1:23 into the third period on assists from Daniel Martin and Dustin Henning to expand the lead to 4-1. Pelligra slid in front of the goaltender and redirected Martin's fake-shot turned pass over Odria's stick for the fourth and final Dashers goal of the night. Port Huron would attempt a comeback, with Jonathon Juliano netting a goal on an assist from Matt Wurst a little over two minutes later. Matyas Kasek scored on a power play for his second of the night on assists from Juliano and Austin Fetterly. In what showed to be a trend for two of the three games this weekend, the team on the comeback fell short. Despite pulling Odria, the Prowlers couldn't find a fourth goal to tie the game up as Matt Kaludis' stellar performance kept Port Huron out of the net, and out of the game.

The Dashers took two of three on this homestand, and will return to action on Friday in what was supposed to be a neutral site game, but now has been changed to a matchup at home. They will host the Carolina Thunderbirds for a two-game series, which will conclude on Saturday with Guns and Hoses Night.

Photo credit: LMB Studios