Demonz Remain Alive
April 14, 2014 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Dayton Demonz News Release
(Dayton, Ohio) Dayton Demonz head coach Trevor Karasiewicz preached to his team coming into the weekend to Believe in themselves. Being down 2 games to 0 in the best of 5 game series to the Danbury Whalers Karasiewicz never doubted his and would be able to tie the series and force a fifth and deciding game for the Commissioner's Cup. With the Demonz 3-1 win tonight on home ice at Hara Arena, Dayton will get to play the 5th and deciding game in Danbury, where the winner of the game will be crowned Federal Hockey League Champions.
The objective for the Demonz this evening was to keep their game simple, checking the Whalers in all 3 zones of the ice, pressuring the Whaler defensemen, but most importantly for the young Demonz players was to "Believe" they were capable of evening the series to force a fifth game.
Tonight's game in short was an extremely tight checking game that included many battles along the walls, and hard hitting. A game not for the faint of heart, but one for those who are physically and mentally tough.
The first period seemed to backfire on the Demonz, as they were the team who was out hit, as the Whalers took it to the Demonz through most of the initial frame. Dayton goalie Jeff Rose was called upon early and frequently to come up with key saves with the Whalers physically man handling the Demonz. Dayton was able to take Danbury's best punch through the game's first 13 minutes of play and the Demonz began to find their legs and rhythm late in the period as they were able to gain an effective fore check and physicality to create time and space against the Whalers. The first period would end tied with neither team able to get a goal in the opposing teams net.
Dayton took a 1-0 lead at 8:31 of the 2nd period. With Dayton on 5 on 3 man advantage, working the puck in the Whalers zone August Aiken first of two goals on the evening came off of a D to D pass between Casey Mignone to Brian Marks, whose slap shot from the point went through a screen and Aiken (stationed in the slot) put it past Whaler goalie Kevin Hoy. The period would end with Dayton taking the lead into the second intermission in a tightly checked game.
The 3rd and final frame in a game where scoring chances were at a premium, as both teams kept one another at bay, forcing each other to perimeter shots. With both teams skating at 4 on 4, the Demonz August Aiken gained possession of a loose puck in the neutral zone, accelerated across the Danbury blue line, cutting from the left side boards, into the high slot where he unloaded a shot into the Danbury net giving Dayton a 2-0 lead at the 9:02 mark.
But in a series where the previous 3 games have been decided by one goal, and two of those games going into overtime, no lead is ever safe between these two teams. And of course this game would not fall short in this category. Minutes after Aiken's and the Demonz second goal on the evening, the Demonz found themselves in penalty trouble. Danbury's Ryan Patsch cut the score (11:25) to 2-1, and the Whalers taking advantage of their 5 on 3 power play.
With play going back and forth, and the Whalers looking to tie the game, Dayton's Roger Tagoona took advantage of a Whaler neutral zone turnover, utilizing his speed, Tagoona was able to create a partial breakaway finishing the play putting it into the Whaler net with under two minutes to play in the game his insurance goal. Tagoona's goal made it 3-1, and secured the Demonz victory. You just have to Believe!
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2014
- Team Send-Off Thursday, April 17th from Hara Arena - Dayton Demonz
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Demonz Remain Alive - Dayton Demonz
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