Danbury Rallies for Overtime Win in Home Opener

Published on October 29, 2016 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Danbury Titans News Release


The Danbury Titans and Berlin RiverDrivers squared off for the first game of the Federal Hockey League season on Friday night. In a back and forth affair that saw Danbury score four goals in the third period, it was Dalton Jay with the overtime winner for Danbury as they improve to 1-0 for the season. Danbury went 0-3 on the power play, while Berlin was buoyed by going 3-5 with the man advantage.

As the visiting team, and with a long weekend of travel in front of them, the Berlin RiverDrivers took care of business and jumped out to an early lead as John Celli scored on the power play. Danbury would answer back with Mike Dolman's first of the season to even the score, before Lester Brown would bury a loose puck behind Danbury starter Nikita Ivandikov to give Berlin a 2-1 lead going into the first intermission. Berlin would double up the shots on Danbury for the first, outshooting the home team 14-7.

Nikolai Okhlobystin would score his first as a Titan just over a minute into the second period to tie the score at two. The game remained tied through most of the period until the RiverDrivers were able to pot two quick goals courtesy of Scott Holm and Pavel Kubena, regaining the two goal lead for Berlin. Defensively, the Titans held the RiverDrivers to just 4 shots on goal in the frame, but faced a two goal deficit going into the third period.

Needing a spark, Danbury Head Coach David Lun began to mix his lines, and the payoff was immediate. Three straight goals in the span of 5:11 from Yuto Osawa, Matt Graham, and Martin Uhnak brought the Danbury faithful to their feet as the Titans enjoyed their first lead of the young season. It would not last more than a minute, as the Danbury began a parade to the penalty box that saw multiple 5 on 3 advantages given to Berlin. The RiverDrivers would make them pay, as Cole Gunner and Jiri Pestuka both scored within a minute of each other to give the lead back to Berlin.

Danbury captain Dean Yakura, no stranger to these situations, provided the game tying goal off a broken play in front of the net as he found twine behind Berlin's Garrett Storms. Each goaltender was counted on to make solid plays to keep their team in contention, and the game would require overtime to find a winner. In the extra frame, newcomer Dalton Jay used a burst of speed to motor around the Berlin defense and send the game winner to the back of the net. It capped off a come from behind victory that left the fans happy, but left Danbury coaches frustrated with their team's defensive play.

The Titans won't have much time to reflect on needed changes as they will once again be in action tomorrow night, going on the road to face former coach Phil Esposito and the Watertown Wolves. The weekend will conclude on Sunday back in Danbury, as the Titans will again host the Berlin RiverDrivers with a 5:05pm faceoff. That game will be Danbury's "Pink the Rink" night, with proceeds from game worn jerseys befitting women's health charities. Tickets are available now by calling 844-DT-HOCKEY or by logging onto danburytitans.com

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Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2016


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