Prowlers Sweep Home Weekend

By Dennis Stuckey

Port Huron, MI - The Port Huron Prowlers made it back to back home wins, defeating the defending champions, 4-1 on Saturday night at McMorran Arena. It was the Watertown Wolves' first visit back to the Blue Water Area since Game 2 of the Commissioner's Cup Finals last season. 

The Prowlers outshot the Wolves, 19-9 in the first period and skated off with a 1-0 lead thanks to a Matt Robertson goal, set up by Matt Graham and Matyas Kasek at 10:06 of the frame. 

The second period started quickly for the home team as Dalton Jay scored seven seconds in, extending the lead to 2-0. Jonathon Juliano and Yianni Liarakos had the helpers on the play. Liarakos, celebrating his 22nd birthday, netted his team leading 12th goal of the season at 4:07 of the period to make it 3-0 for the Prowlers. Juliano and Jay earned assists on the goal. Gavin Yates scored the lone goal of the night for the Wolves at 15:28 of the frame, set up by Tyler Gjurich and Egor Kostyukov. It briefly cut the Port Huron lead to two, but Matt Graham scored a short handed goal at 17:06 of the period to make it a 4-1 game. Matt Robertson had the lone helper on the play. Despite being out shot 11-10 in the second, the Prowlers skated off leading by three goals. 

The third period was scoreless, but did feature a fight between Liarakos and Ryan Rotondi, giving Liarakos the famed Gordie Howe Hat Trick on his birthday. Watertown outshot Port Huron, 23-12 in the third and 43-41 for the game, but the Prowlers made it their second straight victory with a 4-1 final. 

The two teams will meet again next weekend for a pair of games in Port Huron, with face off at 7:00 PM on Friday, December 21st and 6:00 PM on Saturday, December 22nd.

Photo credit: Delta Imaging