Ice Chips
October 19, 2014 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Demonz Rally with a 4-3 OT Win Over Danville
DAYTON, OH. - The Dayton Demonz come away with two wins on
Opening Weekend against the Danville Dashers, winning just
mere seconds into the overtime frame 4-3 on Saturday Night.
Dayton started off more aggressive, moving the puck forward
and creating chances against Danville's goalie Matt
Anthony. Danville would not back down, as they also counted
with some smart looks on Curtis Martinu. The Demonz and
Dashers went back to the locker rooms scoreless after one.
At the 3:08 mark of the 2nd period, it was Jared Hicks
recording his first goal of the young season, with some help
from the starting line of Ahmed Mahfouz and Roger Tagoona.
However, Danville answered back, twenty-four seconds later
in fact. Andrew Harrison notched his first of the year, with
Justin Levac and former Demon Jonathan Juliano helping the
Dasher cause.
Danville struck again for their first lead of the season,
with Gehrett Sargis scoring his 2nd of the road trip at the
13:46 mark. J.D. Gordon was the lone assister in the Sargis
score. In the later moments of the middle frame, Robert
Vanwynsberghe scored his first goal, unassisted. Two periods
in, fans had a 2-2 barnburner on their hands.
Jared Hicks scored his second goal of the night very
quickly, just forty-three seconds in and with some help from
Mahfouz. This lead for Dayton looked to stay, as the
Danville Dashers failed to convert on a four-minute double
minor to Tagoona. However, it was Brad Denney tying the
match up again at the 17:39 mark. Denney's first goal was
assisted by John Scully and Nicola Levesque. Sixty minutes
weren't enough to settle the score, we would need overtime
tonight.
The Demonz started off the OT frame right, winning the
faceoff and controlling the puck. As Ahmed Mahfouz took the
puck to the slot, he would not be denied and sent the
hometown fans back home happy with a 4-3 OT win, 16 seconds
erased from the Hara Arena scoreboard.
Robert Vanwynsberghe was the third star of the game, with
one goal. Ahmed Mahfouz was the second star, with a goal and
two assists. Taking the number one star of the game, was
Jared Hicks with his two goal performance. Curtis Martinu
picks up the win in his first ever start with Dayton,
recording 30 saves. Matt Anthony suffered the loss,
recording 29 saves on the contest.
A total of 1,099 people saw one incredible match between the
Dayton Demonz and the Danville Dashers. Immediately
following the game the Demonz presented Joe Pace his
2013-2014 Federal Hockey League Championship ring on the
ice.
The Demonz will return home next week, to receive their
championship rings and banner and take on the Danbury
Whalers.
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Whalers Falter in Home Opener, Lose 7-4
Hockey was welcomed back with open arms at Danbury Ice Arena as the crowd shuffled in for the home opening game for the 2014-15 campaign of the Danbury Whalers. However, the Whalers' momentum coming out in front of a capacity crowd was dampened just 32 seconds into the game, as a floating wrist shot from Chad Bennett snuck past the glove of returning FHL Goalie of the Year Mike Brown. The Wolves showed no letting up in their first power play of the game. Defenseman Steve Brown of Danbury hauled down Dane Erickson on a breakaway, and Erickson converted on the penalty shot to extend Watertown's lead to two. The Whalers started to find some offensive life in the second half of the period courtesy of a string of Watertown penalties, including a four minute power play after Aaron Atwell was sent off with 2 minor penalties. While trailing on the scoreboard, the Whalers ended the period with an advantage in shots, 14-9.
Watertown, while unable to convert on David Mead's carryover penalty from the first period, struck at the 7:41 mark to extend their lead to three. The Whalers were able to respond with a Matt Caranci rebound goal off a two on one with Ilya Solarev. Caranci waited patiently at the blue line for Solarev and paid the price absorbing a big hit, but stayed with the play and was able to bang home the rebound and cut the deficit to two. That, however, was the closest the Whalers would get in the second period. Lucas LaBelle answered quickly for the Wolves scoring less than a minute after Caranci's goal to reestablish the three goal lead. An incident behind the play led to Whalers' defenseman David Mead attempting to pummel JR Harris, requiring both linesmen to restrain Mead. After the fracas, Mead was assessed two minutes for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, a five minute Fighting major, a game misconduct, and an additional game misconduct for abuse of officials, leaving the Whalers with five defensemen for the rest of the night and Mead in danger of additional discipline from the league. Playing four on four while the penalties were served, Dylan O'Neil scored for Watertown, furthering the lead to four. As there was a delayed penalty to be called against the Whalers, the Wolves were rewarded with a fresh power play on top of the goal. Towards the end of the period, JR Harris would score again with under a minute to play, finishing the second with a 6-1 lead.
Finally showing signs of life, the Whalers started the third period scoring three unanswered goals but were unable to overcome their deficit. First, Ben Schoeneberger scored on the power play, the only Whalers' power play goal of the evening as they had six opportunities. Two minutes later and now short handed, Ilya Solarev fended off two Wolves defenders as he drove to the net and popped the water bottle off the net behind Jesse Chenard for his 2nd of the year. Recently resigned Ryan Patsch, named Co-Rookie of the Year in the previous season, tallied the last goal of the game for the Whalers, finishing a pass from Ben Schoeneberger. With Mike Brown on the bench for an extra attacker, Dane Erickson provided the dagger with an empty net goal to seal the victory for the Wolves.
The Whalers have now lost their first two games of the season, while the Wolves sit atop of the standings with two wins. Final shots on goal were 45 for Watertown, 36 for Danbury. On special teams, the Wolves finish 2 for 7, Danbury 1 for 6. The Whalers will be in action again Saturday night as they prepare with their first meeting of the year against the Dayton Demonz, faceoff scheduled for 7:35PM from Hara Arena.
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Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from October 19, 2014
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