Demonz Take First Game from Privateers with 7-4 Win
April 2, 2014 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Dayton Demonz News Release
(Dayton, Ohio) Tonight we have two teams, the Dayton Demonz and the Watertown Privateers opening the Federal Hockey League (FHL) play-offs in the best of 3 series, whichever team is able to win 2 games will go on to play the Danbury Whalers for the Commissioner's Cup.
Dayton has the advantage of home ice in the series with Watertown. The Demonz were hoping for the bye in the first round of the play-offs however a loss to the Danbury Whalers on Saturday night knocked the Demonz out of first place losing the regular season title to Danbury in the final game of the season. Watertown finishing in 3rd place qualified the Privateers for the final play-off spot and opportunity to play the 2nd place Demonz.
The keys to tonight's game for the Demonz was to continue to play a strong team game, limit turnovers, something that hurt the team in their final game of the season to Danbury. The Demonz are at their best when they are able to establish their fore-check, which enables them to cycle the puck in the offensive zone, and finding a man open in the slot.
The key for the Privateers was to neutralize the Demonz offensive attack, chipping pucks deep into the Demonz zone, pressuring the Dayton defenseman and firing pucks at the Dayton net. The main thing for the Privateers is not being their worst enemy, and realizing they are capable of winning on the Demonz home ice. Hara Arena the home ice for the Demonz is a place the Privateers have had problems over the past 2 years winning, tonight would not be different, as Watertown squandered a 2-0 first period lead. Maybe a couple of practices on Hara Ice before both teams meet in the second game of the series on Thursday night may be beneficial for the Privateers.
Tonight both teams were able to exploit the other teams' weakness; however, Dayton was able to pull out the victory after a sluggish start with a strong 2nd and 3rd period to pull out the win as the Demonz took the first game of the series by a score of 7-4.
The 1st Period saw the Demonz out of sync, showing a lack of passion, uncharacteristic of their play they displayed during the course of the regular season. Dayton may have been suffering from a "hangover effect" from their loss to Danbury in the final minutes of their game just a few days ago.
Watertown took a 1-0 lead 7 minutes into the opening period. Dayton goaltender Jeff Rose made a turnover with the puck dumped into the Demonz zone. Going behind the net, instead of leaving the puck for one of his defenseman to pick it up, which is always the safe bet, Rose fired the puck around the boards, which Matt Graham picked up on the half-wall. Graham immediately passed the puck to Ray Tremblay (who was wide open in front of the net) put it past Rose. A minute later, what looked to be an icing call, hit the back boards, bounced in front of an unsuspecting Rose, Brandon Parkhouse, picked-up the loose puck firing it into the Demonz net and the Privateers would take a 2-0 lead at the end of one period of play.
In the 2nd period the Demonz beginning to realize that there was a game going on, gradually found their legs, and began to battle back. Ahmed Mahfouz goal just over 2 minutes into the middle period, cut the score to 2-1, as the Demonz began to create pressure deep in the Privateers zone. Dayton would tie the game 2-2 five minutes later, as Brett Wall's shot was tipped-in by Len Pelletier.
With the score tied, Dayton kicked their game into a higher gear, as they began to spend extensive time in the Watertown zone, firing pucks at the net, while creating numerous scoring opportunities. Privateer goaltender Nick Niedert stood tall in the net. Watertown would hold the Demonz storm for the next couple of minutes, and take advantage of one of their few chances in the period, as Privateer Defenseman James Gordon slap-shot from the right point gave Watertown their last lead of the evening 3-2.
Before the 2nd period would end the Demonz took advantage of their two power-play opportunities in the game. On their first power-play Brian Marks shot from the point left a nice rebound off Niedert's pad, as Justin Skinner jumped on the rebound a putting it into the Privateer net, to tie the 3-3. On Dayton's second and last power-play with less than 4 minutes left in the second period, Ahmed Mahfouz, second goal of the evening, came off a nifty set-up by Trevor Karasiewicz and Dustin Skinner. The 2nd period would end with a 4-3 Dayton lead.
The 3rd and final period saw Dayton increase their lead to 5-3 with the Demonz again creating pressure deep in the Privateer zone. Demon Jason Pietrasiak controlling the puck on the end boards behind the Watertown net sent a nice pass to Casey Mignone in the low slot where he scored what proved to be the game winner.
The final minute and eighteen seconds of the period saw both teams score a combined 3 goals. The Privateers pulled their goaltender with a little under two minutes to play in the game adding an extra attacker. Dayton's August Aiken empty netter doubled the score to 6-3. On the ensuing face-off at centre ice, the Privateers took the puck down ice, and scored 6 seconds later to make 6-4. Again, and finally the Demonz would close out the scoring in the game with their second empty net goal by Jared Hicks, to make it final 7-4.
Game Notes: Dayton must be careful in not coming out flat in the 2nd game against the Privateers, as the Privateers will be better prepared, having a couple of practice sessions on the Demonz ice. The Demonz must be aware that this team will be throwing everything at them, and will be looking to extend the series. Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Thursday; the puck will drop at 7:35 pm. The 3 Stars of the game went to Dayton Demonz Ahmed Mahfouz (1st Star); Dustin Skinner (2nd Star); and Trevor Karasiewicz (3rd Star).
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2014
- Friday Pep Rally at Two Steps Downtown Grille; Game 1 on Saturday - Danbury Whalers
- Demonz Take First Game from Privateers with 7-4 Win - Dayton Demonz
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