Prowlers Take On Battle Creek In Final Midweek Matchup
By: Brady Beedon
Port Huron - The Port Huron Prowlers (22-14-4-0) will bring in the Battle Creek Rumble Bees (1-39-0-1) for their final Wednesday night game of the season, along with the last meeting between these two squads for the 2019-2020 season.
Game Storylines - The Prowlers will see some familiar faces on Wednesday night. On February 12, the Prowlers shipped the package of Jarrett Pfieffer, Alex Strack, and Alex Gregorich to Battle Creek for Brandon Contratto and Austin Weber. This will be the first time since the trade that the two teams have matched up. Since the trade Pfieffer has recorded three goals and two assists in only four games for Battle Creek, thriving in his new home.
Scouting the Rumble Bees - As mentioned before, Jarrett Pfieffer has fit in well at Battle Creek. He has five points in his four games with the Rumble Bees, including three goals. The Rumble Bees leading scorer of the season is Ryan Alves, who has amassed 27 points through 41 games, including a team high 11 goals.
Last Time Out - Last weekend was not kind to either Port Huron or Battle Creek. The Prowlers had a two game tilt with the Carolina Thunderbirds and lost both games after disappointing third periods. Battle Creek took on the Danville Dashers in a home and home last Friday and Saturday. Danville took the game in Battle Creek by a score of 5-3, while the game in the Land of Lincoln also went the Dashers way, this time by a score of 6-2.
Getting the Call! - Matt Robertson was 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. Bobby Sokol was the most recent Prowler to be called up, he is currently playing for the Macon Mayhem of the SPHL.
Tending the Twine - Port Huron has a very solid trio of netminders. Cory Simons, Chris Paulin, and Blake Scott have all proven this year that they are capable of stepping up against any team. Simons has a 9-5 record this season, with a .921 save percentage. Blake Scott has yet to lose a game in net this campaign, racking up a 9-0 record to this point in the season. Chris Paulin is tied for the league lead in shutouts, with two on the year.
Joel Eisenhower has done most of the heavy lifting for the Rumble Bees in net, recording the teams lone win and regularly facing 50 plus shots a night.
Season Series - Port Huron is 5-0 this season against the Rumble Bees and have dominated in every game. The closest game between these two teams was the February 7 matchup, in which the Prowlers won 5-2
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 8-9-4-0 when outside of the Blue Water area. While on home ice Port Huron is 14-5-0-0. Battle Creek has not won a game inside the Cereal City, but they have won on the road, beating the Enforcers in Elmira.