Game Recap for 4/2/21

PORT HURON PROWLERS at COLUMBUS RIVER DRAGONS


PROWLERS CASH IN ON LATE POWER PLAY OPPORTUNITIES, EVEN UP WEEKEND SERIES VS COLUMBUS

by Zak DeBeaussaert

Columbus, GA - The Port Huron Prowlers scored two late power play goals to take all three points from the Columbus River Dragons on Friday night, winning the game 3-2.

The first period went scoreless but it took only 55 seconds into the 2nd period for Port Huron to break the ice in this one. On a 3-on-2 into the zone, Dalton Jay found himself in the high slot and placed a shot past Jared Rutledge to give the Prowlers a lead.

Columbus would draw back on the power play when Josh Pietrantonio got his first goal in nine games to tie the game after a rebound fell to him on the back door at the 7:16 mark of the 2nd.

With a tie game heading into the 3rd period chances became harder to come by as the minutes dwindled down. However, a series of penalties against the River Dragons saw a stacked timer situation and a long 5-on-3 for Port Huron with less than 5 minutes to go. Dalton Jay tapped home his 2nd of the game after a quick pass behind the net from Matt Graham at the 15:33 mark of the period. 30 seconds later (while still on the power play) Larri Vartianen one-timed a circle-to-circle pass to give Port Huron a late two-goal lead.

With less than a minute to go Columbus would get one back as Chase Fallis pulled a puck out of traffic and scored through chaos to make the game 3-2 with 43 seconds left in the game. The River Dragons pushed late but could not find the net again and Port Huron skated off with the win and took all three points.

Kurt Gutting took the win with a 39 save effort. Jared Rutledge takes the loss stopping 19 of 22 shots.

The Prowlers and Dragons finish up their 3-game set on Saturday afternoon at the Civic Center with a 2:05 puck drop. Tickets available at the Civic Center Box Office or on TicketMaster. Pregame show starts at 1:35

Three Stars of the Game

Dalton Jay

Kurt Gutting

Chase Fallis

CAROLINA THUNDERBIRDS at ELMIRA ENFORCERS


Enforcers Drop Weekend Opener to Carolina, 3-2

by Jonathan Kliment

The Enforcers came into the weekend with a tough task ahead as they met the Carolina Thunderbirds who came in after winning their last five straight. These two clubs will face off six times in the final ten matchups of the regular season.

The game kicked off with the Enforcers getting the better of the early chances, but a controversial penalty put Elmira down a man and just over 30 seconds later down a goal after newcomer Kyle Pouncy found the back of the net on a rebound. Elmira saw themselves down again after head coach Ahmed Mahfouz argued a call and got a minute minor penalty as well as a ten minute major penalty. Pouncy was there again sneaking in from the blue line and finding a way to sneak a backhander past Troy Passingham for a 2-0 lead. Just over a minute later Fred Hein was also able to find the back of the net on a cross crease pass that he shoved behind Passingham to give the Thunderbirds a commanding 3-0 lead.

The Enforcers of years past might have packed it in, but this team showed absolutely no quit. Brett Gravelle got things going late in the first as he put Elmira on the board to close the gap to 3-1 with less than 90 seconds to go in period one. Mitch Atkins would score as well in another late period effort with 13:27 having gone by in period two. Unfortunately, the third period was dry for both sides as neither could find the back of the net. 

Passingham stopped 38 of 41 in the loss.

The Enforcers are back in action tomorrow night as Carolina plays game two of their three game road trip. The game will be available on both Youtube live and Mixlr.