Elmira Comes Up Big With the Chance to Move Up in the Standings
December 23, 2018 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) - Elmira Enforcers News Release
Mentor, OH - The Elmira Enforcers looked to continue their strong play from the night before and finish the weekend with two wins in Mentor, Ohio. With the opportunity to move up in the standings and tie for third place, Elmira needed strong net play from veteran goalie Troy Passingham, puck control in the offensive zone, and also a loss from the Danville Dashers as they took on the Carolina Thunderbirds tonight. Elmira also looked to continue their same energy from the night before as the 1stPeriod the previous night was an interesting one to say the least.
An early penalty from the Enforcers would come back to bite them as Mentor took advantage of the man up and Patrick Porkka slipped one by Elmira goalie Passingham just four minutes into the 1stPeriod. Just five minutes later the Enforcers would take advantage and crack the scoreboard to tie it up when Cameron Yarwood blasted home the one timer which was very important and changed the shape of the period. Mentor was strong early on as they controlled the puck for most of the first half of the period, but after the Yarwood goal Elmira was able to turn the tables and lead in shots in the second half of the period.
Plenty of penalties and plenty of questionable no-calls during the first period and a half of play tonight. Although taking penalties, the Enforcers were the ones who were able to overcome and score the next goal. Glen Patterson was able to send one home past the Mentor net minder. Though being outshot through the first period, the Enforcers would take over with strong offensive play and lead in the shot column through the first two periods, 21-19.
The penalties and cheap shots would continue as both teams would go back in forth controlling the puck and taking shots at the other team. All of these shots would continue even after the game misconduct received in the 2ndPeriod. Elmira would break through this scrum of a 3rdPeriod first though and Glen Patterson was able to record another point on the Kyle Stevens goal. Troy Passingham was able to come up with some huge saves throughout this game, and Elmira was still dominant when it came to controlling the puck and getting shots on net. The bad blood between these two teams would come to a boil when Darren Lamble decided it was time to drop the gloves and landed a ton of shots on Mentor's Vilcauskas, finishing the game for both of them. Elmira would put the game out of reach when they scored their 4thgoal of the game when Sean Reynolds recorded his third point of the night, all assists, on the Babenko goal.
Elmira would put up an outstanding 38 shots on the night, outshooting the Ice Breakers by 8. This win gave Elmira the chance to be in a tie for third place. They await the results of the Carolina/Danville game, and hope for a Danville loss. Elmira is finally finished with their long road trip and be coming back home to the First Arena, where they will play on Wednesday, December 26th.
• Discuss this story on the Federal Prospects Hockey League message board...
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from December 23, 2018
- Carolina Sweeps Danville - Carolina Thunderbirds
- Dashers Drop another one to Carolina, 8-3 - Danville Dashers
- Elmira Comes Up Big With the Chance to Move Up in the Standings - Elmira Enforcers
- Enforcers Complete Two-Game Sweep Of Ice Breakers - Mentor Ice Breakers
- Prowlers Bounce Back With Nice Win - Port Huron Prowlers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
