Prowlers Take Bite out of Dashers

By Nate Williamson

Danville, IL - The Danville Dashers fell to the Port Huron Prowlers at the David S. Palmer Arena on Friday night by a score of 7-2. The game serves as the start of a three-game home stand for the Dashers, with a rematch against the Prowlers on Saturday, and welcoming the Watertown Wolves next Friday. There wasn't much fun going on tonight for the Dashers, as Port Huron jumped out to an early lead, and hung on to it through all three periods. 

Matt Kaludis and Cory Simons started the night in goal for the Dashers and the Prowlers, respectively. The Dashers keeper started the game off hot after a less than satisfactory showing last weekend against the Prowlers. He took seven shots out of the air, making all saves before Port Huron began what would become an onslaught of goals. Dalton Jay broke the deadlock with just 9:30 gone from the first period with an even-strength goal on assists from Yianni Liarakos and Zachary Zulkanycz. The second goal came seven minutes later as Matt Graham netted on assists from Artem Stupnikov and Matt Robertson. The two goals held as the only scoring in the first period. 

The second period started quick as Port Huron scored on another even-strength goal from Dalton Jay, netting his second of the night during what would be a 3rd Star worthy performance. Yianni Liarakos and Zachary Zulkanycz assisted on Jay's goal for the second time of the evening. Danville fought back, while not giving up any penalty minutes through two periods, but were unable to score. Port Huron found the back of the net again, however, through the night's 1st Star Yianni Liarakos. The Port Huron trio of Liarakos, Jay, and Zulkanycz were once again in the play that resulted in the goal. 

Matt Robertson opened the third period scoring at even-strength, to put the Prowlers up a massive 5-2 on the Dashers home ice. It took the Dashers until 7:15 of the final period to get on the board, as they bounced back with a goal from Ryan Stayner on a power play after Kasek Matyas was sent to the box for high-sticking. The Prowlers then scored on a power play of their own, their first of the night, with Yianni Liarakos finding the back of the net. Matt Graham then scored, off an assist from Jonathon Juliano, followed by Liarakos getting his second goal of the night on a power play after Alex Basey was sent to the penalty box. Daniel Martin would get the Dashers final goal of the night, to bring the score to 7-2. The final stat total would see Port Huron outshot by the Dashers 40-34 on the night, with eight Dashers power plays (1/8), and six Prowlers power plays (1/6). 

Matt Kaludis stopped 27 of 34 shots and picked up two penalty minutes for the Dashers, while Port Huron goaltender Cory Simons had a good night, saving 38 of 40. 

The two teams will meet again tomorrow at David S. Palmer Arena, with puck drop set for 7:05 PM. Saturday's game will feature the organization's annual Teddy Bear Toss, where fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals of any size to toss onto the ice after the Dashers' first goal.

Photo credit: LMB Studios