Prowlers Mid-Week Preview vs Danville

By: Brady Beedon

Port Huron - The Port Huron Prowlers (15-9-3-0) will host a mid week matchup against longtime rival, the Danville Dashers (17-10-1-2). The puck will drop at 7:30 Wednesday evening at McMorran Arena.

Game Storylines - The race for second place in the FPHL West Division is a tight one. Danville has the edge in points, leading the Prowlers 55 to 51. However, the FPHL standings go by win percentage, which the Prowlers lead, .630 to Danville's .611. 

Scouting the Dashers - Prowlers fans should be all to familiar with Danville’s leading scorer, Fred Hein. Hein recorded a hat trick against the Prowlers on their November 30 contest which the Dashers won 3-2. Jesse Neher is the only other point per game player on Danville’s roster currently, accumulating 21 points in 20 games.

Last Time Out - The Prowlers got back to their winning ways last weekend, sweeping the Battle Creek Rumble Bees in a pair of games, while outscoring them 17-5. This included hat tricks from Dalton Jay and Austin Fetterly. Danville also earned a sweep last weekend, defeating Mentor in a two-game series. The wins extended Danville's winning streak to five.

Getting the Call! - Port Huron goalie Cory Simons got the call to the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the SPHL on December 24. At the time of his call up, he had an undefeated record in net and was leading the league in both save percentage (.948) and goal against average (1.81). Matt Robertson was also called up on January 1 to the Fayetteville Marksmen. For his efforts during the month of December, Matt Robertson was named FPHL Player of the Month. Matt Stoia and David Nippard have both earned calls to the SPHL. Stoia was called up to the Evansville Thunderbolts, while Nippard was called to Huntsville.

Tending the Twine - The goaltending situation for Port Huron has finally started to settle down. While Chris Paulin and Michael Santaguida are still questionable for Wednesday’s game, Blake Scott has done well in limited action for the Prowlers, stopping 78 of the 83 shots he has faced through two games. Jesse Gordichuk was up for a cup of coffee in the SPHL, but was returned on Monday, and will likely get the start against the Prowlers.

Season Series - In the four games between these two squads, Port Huron has won three of the four meetings. The lone Danville win came on November 30 when Fred Hein out scored the Prowlers in a 3-2 Danville victory.

300 For Robertson! - With an assist during the November 23 contest against the Mentor Ice Breakers, Matt Robertson recorded his 300th career point in the FPHL. Robertson is far and away the Prowlers all time leading scorer, scoring 133 goals, while assisting 186 times. Robertson currently sits at fifth all time on the FPHL scoring leaders.

Change of Venues - The Prowlers are 6-6-3-0 when outside of the Blue Water area. While on home ice Port Huron is 9-3-0-0. Danville is 9-4-0-1 inside of David S Palmer Arena, while on the road they haven’t been as strong, posting an 8-6-1-1 record.