Port Huron Makes Statement Against Binghamton

The Port Huron Prowlers took down the Empire-Division leading Binghamton Black Bears 4-1 at McMorran Place on March 29. It’s the only matchup between the teams this season.

“It was a compilation of our best efforts coming together,” said Prowlers head coach Matt Graham. “We played a disciplined brand of hockey, we didn’t stray from it all night. We put a really good 60 minutes together.”

The Black Bears got some opportunities on the man-advantage in the first but the Prowlers turned it around on them. Alex Johnson’s clear attempt was knocked down and Vincent Dekumbis chipped the loose puck past Dakota Bohn to spring himself on a breakaway. He beat Connor McAnanama over the blocker to open the scoring.

That held through the end of the frame. 32 seconds into the middle period, Frank Schumacher smacked a shot from the point that caromed off the back boards and came to Liam Freeborn at the side of the cage. He deposited his team-high 23rd goal of the season to double the Port Huron lead.

Early in the third, Tucker Scantlebury and Josh Fletcher dropped the mitts. Jake Vaughan took Scantlebury’s spot for the ensuing faceoff and six seconds later, Dalton Jay’s backhander hit him and deflected past McAnanama for Vaughan’s first pro goal. He was named the game’s first star.

“He’s a big body,” Graham said of Vaughan. “He’s played very well. I’ve used him sparingly so far and he’s done a lot with the opportunities he’s gotten. I love his energy on the bench and the energy he carries himself with on the ice. First pro goal, awesome for him.”

Dakota Bohn got Binghamton on the board later in the frame as he went end-to-end while dangling a few Prowlers for a shorthanded five-on-three goal. That made it 3-1.

Port Huron held tough from there and Scantlebury sent a shot to the top corner to put the icing on the cake and with just over two-and-a-half minutes to play.

Nine different Prowlers recorded a point while Makar Sokolov made 39 saves in between the pipes.

“We got offense from all over,” Graham said. “We played solid defensively, we had guys who were willing to block shots. Makar played awesome in net for us. The addition of [Dominic Loubert and Chace McCardle] helped us get out of our zone very easily.”

McAnanama stopped 20 shots in the loss. His .833 save percentage on the night is his worst in any start this season.

The Prowlers wrap up their home three-in-three with a second meeting against the Columbus River Dragons. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 P.M. and tickets are available at phprowlers.com/tickets.

Photo courtesy of Delta Imaging