The past three years, Port Huron has had the Brandon hockey team’s number, winning all three times.
The Blackhawks gained a measure of revenge Wednesday, Nov. 19, starting their season on the right foot with a 4-2 win against visiting Port Huron at the Polar Palace in Lapeer.
‘We were pretty pleased with our play,? Brandon coach Brian Moore said. ‘We liked the intensity the kids had and the ability to finish off scoring chances.?
Junior forward Kyle Jackson proved to be the scoring hero in this game, scoring two goals, including the game-winner with 44 seconds left in the game on an assist from senior defenseman Scotty Steudle.
Jackson also scored the Blackhawks? first goal of the year at 9:04 of the first period on an assist from freshman forward Stephen Tallman, evening the contest at one goal apiece.
‘We expect big things out of him,? Moore said of Jackson. ‘He’s big, fast and plays hard. His intensity carries over to the rest of the team.?
Port Huron scored the game’s first goal at 2:35 of the first period, as Joe Guerlher scored on an assist from Matt Fogal.
The Blackhawks took a 2-1 lead at 4:28 of the second period, as junior forward Mike Ross tallied an unassisted goal. Moore said Ross? goal was ‘all effort.?
Port Huron tied things at two at 10:56 of the third, when Fogal scored on assists from David Wingard and Guerlher.
After Jackson’s goal, the Blackhawks scored an insurance goal with 22 seconds left, as Tallman lit the lamp with assists from Joel Pappas and Ross.
The Blackhawks proved to be the more disciplined of the two teams, committing only two penalties to Port Huron’s four. Junior David Hughes had a solid night in goal for Brandon, stopping 16 of 18 shots (88.9 percent).
Moore said Hughes made some ‘quality saves? for the Blackhawks. He also said defenseman Chris Nuccio had a solid game for the Blackhawks.