Demonz Victorious Over Whalers
March 3, 2014 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Dayton Demonz News Release
Danbury CT- Sometimes it's not how you start a game, but how you finish. In this case the Whalers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead only to see the Dayton Demonz come roaring back to steal the win Sunday afternoon 5-3. August Aiken collected two goals and Jeff Rose made 25 saves as the Demonz took home the victory in the battle of the two top teams in the Federal Hockey League.
The Whalers got the scoring started in the first period thanks to the 7th goal of the season for Julian Fraser. Newcomer Todd Chinova carried the puck into the Dayton zone where CJ DelVaglio was able to make a slick pass across the crease to Fraser who buried it past Demonz goalie Jeff Rose. The Whalers extended their lead to 2-0 at 12:03 of the first on the 21st goal of the season by CT native Tim Richter. The Danbury forward brought the puck into the Dayton end and unleashed a wrist shot from just outside the right circle that beat a surprised Rose to the high blocker side. It appeared as if the Demonz net minder was screened by his own defenseman and Richter took full advantage to put the home team up by two. However, the Demonz cut the Danbury lead to one with just 1:20 left in the opening period on the 19th of the year by Roger Tagoona. One of the Whalers forwards got caught in the Demonz end and that allowed Dayton to streak down the ice 3 on 2. Brett Wall setup Tagoona in the slot where he beat Mike Brown to the glove side and made it a 2-1 game. Despite being outshot 17-10, the Whalers took the 2-1 advantage into the first intermission. Near the end of the first, Todd Chinova had to be helped off the ice after taking a hip check to the leg. He would not return for the remainder of the game.
In the second period, the Demonz tied the game at 3:52 on a power play goal from Shaun Fisher (4th). The Demonz were able to move the puck crisply throughout their power play and eventually it ended up on the stick of Fisher who sent a wrist shot through a Jared Hicks Screen in front of Mike Brown to tie the game up at 2-2. Dayton would take the lead just 2:11 later on an even strength goal, the 18th of the season, by Wehebe Darge. Jared Hicks made a quick centering pass in front to Darge who beat Brown low to the glove side just as the Demonz power play had expired. The middle frame was a very physical one for both teams, including a fight between Fraser and Len Pelletier. The Whalers had a power play of their own after Dustin Skinner was sent off for tripping at 12:28, but were unable to put the puck past Jeff Rose, who made several tough stops to keep the home team off the board and preserve the 3-2 Dayton lead.
In the third period the Demonz would extend their lead to 4-2 on a controversial goal by August Aiken. After a scrum in front of the Whalers net, goaltender Mike Brown was knocked out of position along with the net being knocked off its pegs. The puck ended up on the stick of Aiken in the slot who fired it into the empty cage for his 24th of the season. Referee Jason McCutchen ruled that it was a good goal on the ice despite the heavy protest from the Whalers bench. The Whalers would cut the Demonz lead to 4-3 with 3:01 left in regulation on the 25th goal of the year for Cody Ayers. The number two scorer in the FHL was able to punch a rebound over a sprawled out Jeff Rose to give the Whalers a shot to tie the game in the final minutes. However, it was not meant to be on this afternoon, as the Demonz would seal the game with eight seconds left on the second of the game for Aiken (25th). With the win, the Demonz now find themselves in sole possession of first place in the FHL. Mike Brown made 38 saves in the loss for Danbury.
The Demonz are on the road till March 7th when they return home with a 7:35pm start. March 8th is First Responders Appreciation Night.
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Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2014
- Danbury Whalers Weekly - Danbury Whalers
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Demonz Victorious Over Whalers - Dayton Demonz
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