Tempers Flair in Prowlers Win

By Dennis Stuckey

Port Huron, MI - The Port Huron Prowlers earned a hard fought 4-2 victory over the visiting Carolina Thunderbirds on Saturday night, giving them a sensational 41 out of a possible 45 points in their last 15 games. The first place Prowlers dominated the first 40 minutes of action, before holding off a third period rally by the T-Birds.

The game's number one star, Yianni Liarakos, opened the scoring at 9:31 of the first with a laser shot from the left faceoff circle, which took Port Huron to a 1-0 lead into the break.  

Austin Daae stretched the Prowlers lead to two goals at 11:18 into the second frame, before Robert Vanwynsberghe and Matt Robertson pounced late in the period, with goals 45 seconds apart to give the home side a commanding 4-0 lead through two stanzas.

Despite goals from Jiri Pestuka and Chase Fallis in the third, Carolina's comeback effort was cut short. The second game in as many nights for the two rivals saw tempers boil over at the 13:27 mark of third, when three fights broke loose at the same time. In all, seven players racked up 46 minutes in penalties, including six fighting majors. One of the combatants was Liarakos, who with a previous goal and assist in the game, completed the Gordie Howe hat trick.

The stage is now set for the third and final game of the weekend series between Port Huron and Carolina on Sunday afternoon. The puck will drop at 1 PM at McMorran Arena.

Photo credit: Delta Imaging