EPHL Has Thrilling Friday Night
Published on January 9, 2009 under Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL) News Release
BEARS END LOSING STREAK SHOCK ROCKHOPPERS
Friday night at the Essex County Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain, the Jersey Rockhoppers wore pink jerseys to support the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer. The jerseys were auctioned off after the game with the proceeds going to benefit the American Cancer Society. Unfortunately, the visiting Hudson Valley Bears were not feeling very charitable, as they shocked the Rockhoppers, beating them in a shootout and ending the Bears 16-game losing streak.
The first period saw both teams going back and forth, each firing 11 shots on goal as Nick Niedert and Peter Maro showed early on that this would be a low-scoring affair. Hudson Valley got on the board first when John Gevard scored his 7th goal of the year with less than two minutes to go in the period. The Rockhoppers evened the score just 15 seconds later as Anthony Becker scooped up a Patrick Serpico rebound and put it in the back of the net. Mike Dardzinski deflected a Chris Clark slapshot into the net to give the Bears a 2-1 advantage heading into the third period. With less than four minutes to go, the Rockhoppers found themselves on the power play as Devin Guy went to the penalty box for hooking, and they took advantage of the situation. Kyle Bozoian took a pass from Tom Boudreau and snuck it past Maro to tie the game at 2-2. Jersey was also able to kill a 5-on-3 penalty situation at the end of regulation and the game was heading for overtime.
"Aside from a few times recently, we haven't been in a game this late a whole lot this year," said Bears forward Dan Malloy. "We just really wanted to stay focused and disciplined, to give ourselves a chance." In the extra frame the Rockhoppers only mustered one shot on net, but Nick Niedert turned away five Bears shot attempts and for the first time this season, the Rockhoppers were heading for a shootout. Rich Vega and Chris Ferazzoli both missed to start the shootout. John Gevard then scored to give the Bears a one-goal advantage. Tom Boudreau came right back for the Rockhoppers at evened the count 1-1. Scott Estey then snuck one past Niedert and Drew Sanders shot attempt went wide, and the Bears emerged with a 3-2 victory.
"We've had a lot of guys working really hard for a long stretch here and it felt really good to finally see that work pay off," said Bears forward Tom Westfall.
The Bears are at home on Saturday against the Brooklyn Aces at 7:30pm at the Ice Time Sports Complex in Newburgh, NY
Hatters Hang on to Defeat Aces 6-5 in Overtime
Another thriller at the Danbury Ice Arena ensued as the Hatters hosted the Brooklyn Aces in a battle of two teams that already have a history in the first EPHL season.
Danbury started the scoring off when Erik Kent put the puck past Aces goalie Eddie Neville. A short time later, the Hatters took advantage of a power play as Igor Karlov took a pass from Duane Whitehead and put it by Neville as the Hatters finished the first period up 2-0.
The second period saw a shootout as Brooklyn came within a goal as Eric Frank and CJ Tozzo scored goals just over a minute a part. Danbury answered with Hank Carisio and Igor Karlov scoring for the Hatters quickly to give them a three goal lead. Mike Thomson got Brooklyn back within two with less than two minutes to go.
The third period saw the best of Brooklyn as they stormed back to tie the game late in the period. Kyle McCullough and CJ Frank scored power play goals to tie the game up at 5. For the second time, the Aces and the Hatters were heading for overtime.
In the last meeting, the Aces defeated the Hatters in a shootout. However, the Hatters were not going to let the game get that far. With a power play in the extra frame the Hatters sealed the win. Dan Hickman sent a pass to the half boards to Whitehead who ripped a one timer past Eddie Neville on the short side causing the crowd of 1,202 Hatters fans to explode in celebration.
Eddie Neville stopped 31 of 37 shots while last week's EPHL goaltender of the week Derek MacIntyre stopped 28 of 33 Aces shots. The Hatters bring their record above .500 for the first time.
They get right back in action on Saturday January 10th in Jersey to take on the Rockhoppers.
The next Hatters home game is Thursday January 15th as the Hatters host the Jersey Rockhoppers at 7pm at the Danbury Ice Arena. Tickets are available on www.madhattershockey.com and at the Danbury Ice Arena box office.
Eastern Professional Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2009
- EPHL Has Thrilling Friday Night - EPHL
- Eastern Professional Hockey League Game Day Preview - EPHL
- Eastern Professional Hockey League Transactions - EPHL
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