Dashers Cap Home Stand with Loss
Published on January 7, 2012 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Danville Dashers News Release
Danville, IL - The Danville Dashers and New Jersey Outlaws went into Saturday's game with very different goals. The Outlaws were simply looking to build upon the 71 points in the standings (first place in the Federal Hockey League) with a weekend sweep, but Danville was not only looking to avoid the sweep, but also was striving to take down New Jersey for the first time and try to cap their extended home stand with a victory. After being home for over a month, a win would surely make the next few weeks away from home that much easier on the Dashers' faithful.
The first period between Danville and New Jersey was dominated early on by the Outlaws. The northeastern based club recorded nine shots on goal before the Dashers recorded their first. Tyler Barr got New Jersey on the board first with a one-timer on a feed from John Goffredo. Matt Puntereri also earned an assist on the opening goal. The Dashers would even things in the final minutes of the period, despite their sluggish start on offense. Danville captain, Chris Affinati, put home a Joe Pace rebound on the power play (second assist to Justin Barr). It would be the last bit of action in the period, with New Jersey taking an 18-7 shot advantage into the dressing room.
As in the first period, the Outlaws would again get the opening goal for the second period. Jason put in a shot from near the blue line after passes from Kevin Cooper and Travis Kauffeldt to provide his squad with a one goal advantage less than a minute after the start of the clock. It was just the start of more 2nd period woes that crippled the Dashers the previous night. Matt Miller (assists to Travis Kauffeldt and Nathan Oke) would convert a two man advantage five minutes after the first strike of the period and he would score again two minutes later with help from Luke Flicek and Lawne Snyder. The Dashers would not be without opportunities of their own.
A two man advantage just past the midway point of the frame allowed them to dictate the offensive play, but the opportunity would pass unfruitful. They physicality of the game picked up late in the period with some heavy checks on both ends of the ice. When the dust settled, the Outlaws skated into their locker room with a 4-1 lead. The Dashers began the third period on a carryover power play from the second frame. That special team's opportunity was followed up by another after Lawne Snyder slash. Unfortunately, Danville could not convert on either chance. Nick Wydock made an argument for save of the weekend when he utilized the big catcher to rob the Outlaws' Kevin Cooper as he was left free to cut in front of the Dashers' net. Wydock could not answer a rebound opportunity moments later from Anthony Battaglia (assists to Flicek and Miller). Dashers' captain, Affinati, would try to get his team going when threw down with Tyler Barr. The fight was a rather lengthy affair with both combatants landing some nice heavy blows. With five minutes remaining in the game, Miller would complete his hat-trick with help from Flicek and Battaglia. It would be the final scoring of the period and hand New Jersey a 6-1 victory with goaltender, Dan McWhinney, stopping 25 of 26 shots.
The New Jersey victory meant it was the second weekend sweep of the Dashers' at the David S. Palmer Arena. A bright spot in the game for the Dashers was the play goaltender Nick Wydock. The six goals against certainly did not reflect the effort as the netminder made 42 saves, many of which were stellar. Being pulled the night before and rebounding like he did, showed his mental toughness. Danville will be on two week road trip starting with a trip to Akwesasne to play the defending Commissioner Cup Champion Warriors, while the Outlaws will play their next contest in Brooklyn against the Aviators.
The Dashers return to the David S. Palmer arena on January 26th to open a two game set with the Cape Cod Bluefins. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and children 12 and under.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2012
- Ice Chips - FPHL
- Federal Hockey League Game Recaps - FPHL
- Dashers Cap Home Stand with Loss - Danville Dashers
- Four-Goal Third Fuels Privateers' Comeback Win Over Brooklyn - Brooklyn Aviators
- Danbury Whalers Home Tonight - Danbury Whalers
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