Series Preview: Out East

The Port Huron Prowlers will embark on their final road trip of the regular season this weekend when they visit the Binghamton Black Bears and Danbury Hat Tricks to open up April. Binghamton and Port Huron are locked into their spots in the standings while Danbury is still, barely, alive in the race for the final Empire Division playoff spot.

The Prowlers finished up a four-game homestand last weekend as they hosted the Watertown Wolves. On Friday, Port Huron tied franchise records for goals in a game as a team and individually as Grayson Dietrich, in his pro debut, and Bobby Price each scored four times in a 12-1 rout. The 11-goal margin of victory is the largest in franchise history. Saturday was much closer as both Dietrich and Price found the back of the net once and Bailey Huber made 23 saves in a 2-1 win. The Prowlers finished the homestand 4-0-0 and picked up 11 of a possible 12 points. They sit second in the Empire Division at 35-16-1 with 100 points.

The Black Bears and Hat Tricks faced each other last weekend in a home and home series. Friday in Binghamton was a goaltending battle and the scoresheet was blank with under eight minutes to go in regulation. Then, Nicholas Swain finally scored what would be the only goal of the game as Dominik Tmej stopped 18 shots for his league-high seventh shutout of the season. The offenses showed up the next night in Danbury. CJ Stubbs gave the Black Bears a 3-2 lead midway through the second, but the Hat Tricks scored four of the game’s final five goals to take it 6-4 and keep their fading playoff hopes alive. Binghamton has clinched home ice advantage throughout the playoffs at 44-6-2 with 131 points. Danbury is fifth in the Empire at 23-24-5 with 70 points. The Hat Tricks’ tragic number to be eliminated from playoff contention is three.

SEASON SERIES

BINGHAMTON LEADS 6-1

Oct. 31 @ Port Huron: Black Bears 5, Prowlers 3

Nov. 1 @ Port Huron: Prowlers 4, Black Bears 1

Dec. 5 @ Binghamton: Black Bears 9, Prowlers 1

Dec. 6 @ Binghamton: Black Bears 3, Prowlers 1

Feb. 13 @ Port Huron: Black Bears 5, Prowlers 3

Feb. 14 @ Port Huron: Black Bears 6, Prowlers 5 (SO)

Mar. 13 @ Binghamton: Black Bears 4, Prowlers 0

PORT HURON LEADS 5-1

Oct. 10 @ Danbury: Prowlers 3, Hat Tricks 1

Oct. 11 @ Danbury: Prowlers 4, Hat Tricks 0

Dec. 27 @ Danbury: Prowlers 4, Hat Tricks 2

Dec. 28 @ Danbury: Prowlers 4, Hat Tricks 1

Jan. 16 @ Port Huron: Hat Tricks 3, Prowlers 2

Jan. 17 @ Port Huron: Prowlers 3, Hat Tricks 1

LAST MEETINGS

The game in Binghamton was scoreless until Scott Ramaekers got the game-winning goal 8:46 into the second period, the first of two for the Black Bears in 1:43. Dominik Tmej shut the Prowlers down on the other end with 26 saves in the only game Port Huron has gone goalless this season.

75% of the scoring in the game between the Prowlers and Hat Tricks came in a 2:03 span in the first period. Each team scored during a Danbury power play before Vincent Dekumbis put Port Huron ahead for good. Reggie Millette provided the empty netter as Reid Cooper and Kyle Penton were perfect the rest of the way.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Prowlers - Grayson Dietrich (F) - The rookie finished with four goals in his pro debut and five on the weekend against Watertown. He and the Port Huron offense face one of the top defensive teams in the FPHL on Friday.

Black Bears - Dominik Tmej (G) - The Binghamton starter hasn’t given up a goal in his last 3 starts and is on a 212:39 shutout streak.

Hat Tricks - Chance Adrian (F) - Acquired in February from Pee Dee for Noah Robinson, Adrian has four points over his last two games and five points in six games as a Hat Trick.

STAT CENTRAL

The Prowlers have scored 2 goals in 3 games at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena this season …  The Hat Tricks can be eliminated from playoff contention with a regulation loss OR a Topeka regulation win on Friday

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Apr. 3, 7:00 P.M. at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena (Binghamton, NY)

Apr. 4, 7:00 P.M. at Danbury Ice Arena (Danbury, CT)

Both games can be seen live on the PHP Network YouTube channel.

Photo courtesy of Lakewind Photography