Dayton Moves into First Place
February 22, 2014 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Dayton Demonz News Release
(Dayton, Ohio) With a win in regulation this evening the Dayton Demonz moved into first place in the Federal Hockey. No games in hand to the previous first place Danbury Whalers who have held the position since the first week of the season. The 11-5 victory over the Danville Dashers has placed Dayton 1 point ahead of Danbury (Dayton's 80 points to Danbury's 79).
Coach Karasiewicz and Assistant Coach Collins have the team working together with just over a month before the League play-offs begin. It is important for the team to realize what has gotten them to where they are, and the body of work that has gotten them there. That is playing team hockey, sticking by the coaches system, unselfish play with a team first mentality.
Today is not the destination, but an accomplishment of many months of hard work, selflessness, seeing roster changes since the beginning of the New Year, that added size and skill, most importantly character. It is said the journey is the most important part of a goal or destination. Of course that question will not be answered today, we will have wait for that question to be answered in two months. But while in the moment, and everyone on the team singing from the same sheet of music at this time, we will enjoy today, until tomorrow comes.
Tonight's game featured Military Appreciation Night. The Air Force Band of Flight from Wright Patterson Air Force Base providing elaborate pre-game ceremony, an enlistment ceremony between the 1st and 2ndintermission, with the players from the Demonz sporting camo-style jerseys with proceeds in a post-game auction of the jerseys worn in the game going to a local military hero's memorial scholarship fund, the Spc Jesse Snow Memorial Scholarship Fund which qualifying individuals who wish to pursue a career in firefighting can apply, and the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Fisher House. Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer Jeffrey Schetroma, the Demonz Graphics, Game Day Coordinator and Community Relations Manager was the driving force behind the event, and credited for his outstanding work in community relations while thinking of others who are less fortunate for their time of service and sacrifice.
The game itself was an interesting one within itself. What may be a first in professional hockey; the fans at Hara Arena this evening witnessed an on-ice officiating team of a father as the referee, and his two son's providing linesman duties.
Other things of interest in tonight's game saw both teams starting goalies getting ejected from the game mid-way in the first period, and being replaced by their back-ups to finish the game for them, as the starters engaged in a centre ice fight to the delight of the rowdy home crowd. And with so many penalties called through the evening, the Dashers were barely able to finish the game one would say due to an extremely shortened bench.
The 1st period would end with a Dayton 5-2 lead. Scorers for Dayton were Jesse Felten, Casey Mignone, Robert Vanwynsberghe (1st of two goals on the evening), Wehebe Darge and Brian Marks. Danville scorers were Anthony Iaquinto and Marc Thompson.
The 2nd period saw both teams score twice each, and Dayton taking a 7-4 lead into the final period. Scorers for Dayton came from their young guns in August Aiken and Roger Tagoona. Danville's 2 goals came from the stick of Matthew Puntureri (who would finish the evening with a hat-trick).
The final frame Dayton would continue to pour it on outscoring the Dashers 4-1, and doubling up on the scoreboard, making it final 11-5. Dayton got goals from Brandon Blair, Dustin Skinner, Vanynsberghe, and Brett Wall. Danville's lone goal came from Puntueri.
Several players from Dayton finished with a multiple point game. Most notable was Demonz two-way forward Brett Wall, who finished the evening with a goal and two assists, his first 3 point game as a professional hockey player.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2014
- Demonz win 7-6 victory - Dayton Demonz
- Dayton Moves into First Place - Dayton Demonz
- Ice Chips - FPHL
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