Bluefins Fall in Overtime

December 21, 2011 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
New York Bluefins News Release


The Danbury Whalers came into the Hyannis Youth & Community Center having dropped their last 2 games and the Cape Cod Bluefins were playing their first game without their departed captain and second leading scorer, Anthony Sarno who left the team to sign with Pensacola of the Southern Professional league.

The visiting Whalers opened up the scoring at 4:17 when Matt Moffat took a Kelly Miller pass and buried it, beating Bluefins net minder Wes Vesprini. It was Moffat's 7th of the season. The pace remained fast and furious for the remainder of the period as both teams doled out several big hits. At the 11:49 mark A.J. Tesoriero, coming of a 6 point game, scored his 5th goal of the season after taking a nice feed from Brad Surdam. The goal was also assisted by Brewster's Andrew Hutton. After one period the shots on goal were 18-13 in favor of the hometown Fins.

The second period began as the first ended with both teams pressing their opponents ends which created several good scoring chances. However, both Vesprini and Danbury goalie, Peter Vetri turned away every shot until, at 13:44 newly appointed captain Kevin McReady cashed in on his 12th goal of the season when he picked up a Billy Tibbetts rebound and backhanded it high into the net past an outstretched Vetri to make it 2-1 Cape Cod. The Bluefins had several great opportunities in the period, including a 5-3 power play advantage in which they couldn't capitalize on yet they went into the second intermission with a 2-1 lead and a 22-12 shot advantage.

In the third both teams continued their assault on each other's goalies with Cape Cod holding on to the shot advantage by a total of 64 - 42. But a couple of costly turnovers ended up sealing their fate. At 3:42 the Whaler's Miller scooped up a loose puck off the skate of Bluefins defenseman Luke Frey, walked in 2 on 0 on Vesprini and made a pass to an un-covered Moffat who buried it to make it 2-2. Moffit's second goal of the night was of the shorthanded variety. However, just about 2 1/2 minutes later, Cape Cod's Tibbetts found a streaking David Lun who fired a low short side wrist shot past Vetri to make the score 3-2 Bluefins. An assist was also credited to Vesprini. The Bluefins would see some time in the penalty box including two 5 on three situations which they managed to kill off. But another poorly timed turnover saw the Whalers capitalize once again when Moffat found a bouncing puck and fired it past Vesprini to even the score at 3.

The beginning of the 5 minute overtime period saw the Bluefins once again at a disadvantage when Tibbettts went to the box for interference and coach Mike Nugnes was hit with a bench minor. The Fins killed off the 5 on 3, however Miller found himself with a golden opportunity that he did not squander as he beat Vesprini with a rocket over his shoulder into the top right corner to seal the victory for the visiting Whalers. Despite the loss, Cape Cod fans were treated to a very well played Federal Hockey League matchup.

The Bluefins next home game is on December 30th vs the 1000 Islands Privateers. All youth hockey players get in free with their game jerseys.



Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2011


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