Federal Hockey League Game Recaps

December 9, 2011 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

New Jersey Escapes With 3-2 Win Over Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, New York - The New Jersey Outlaws escaped with a 3-2 win over the Brooklyn Aviators on Friday night in Federal Hockey League action at the Aviator Sports and Events Center.

Kevin Cooper tallied the game-winning goal for New Jersey in the third period and also collected two assists to give him three points in the contest.

Brooklyn and New Jersey were unable to find the back of the net in the first period, as both goaltenders made big stops for their respective clubs. Jo St. Pierre made 13 saves in the first twenty minutes for Brooklyn, while Dan McWhinney turned aside 12 shots for the Outlaws.

The Outlaws struck first in the second frame, 1-0, when former Aviator Matt Puntureri snapped the puck over the left pad of St. Pierre at the 6:04 mark. Travis Kauffeldt quickly doubled New Jersey's lead, 2-0, 2:10 later after a turnover left him alone in front of St. Pierre. Kauffeldt made a nice move to his forehand and slammed the puck home for his 20 th goal on the campaign. However the Aviators responded with two markers late in the period from Jesse Felten and Andrew Owsiak. After Felten brought the score to within one at the 13:35 spot, Owsiak tied the game for Brooklyn on a shorthanded tally with just 33-seconds left in the second.

The Aviators pulled St. Pierre for the extra attacker late in the third, however were unsuccessful in finding the equalizer as New Jersey escaped with a 3-2 victory.

St. Pierre stopped 26 in the loss, while McWhinney made 33 saves in the win.

The Brooklyn Aviators continue their three-game home stand with a 7:05 PM contest against the Cape Cod Bluefins tomorrow night at the Aviator Sports and Events Center. Keep up with all the latest information about Brooklyn on the Aviators Twitter handle, @AviatorsHockey, and make sure to like the Aviators on Facebook at /AviatorsHockey.

Great tickets are still on sale and can be purchased by calling 718-758-7580 or logging onto www.brooklynaviators.com, TODAY!

PRIVATEERS STEAL ONE FROM WHALERS, 5-4 IN OVERTIME

DANBURY, CT - December 9, 2011

Privateers right wing Adam McAllister broke away and beat Joey Spagnoli with 3:26 to go in overtime to cap a furious comeback. Danbury had a 4-0 lead after the first period but dropped their first overtime contest 5-4 to 1000 Islands. The point earned tied the Whalers with rival Brooklyn for fourth place.

The first period could not have gone any better for Kelly Miller's crew. The Whalers went after the two biggest toughguys on 1000 Islands, as Chris Clark fought Morgan James to a standstill, while rookie Todd Chinova battled Chase Tippin. The offense got going as Matt Moffat's wrister found the twine at 7:11, with assists going to Nick Deschenes and Joe Dabkowski. Greg Holt got his first off some touch passes from Chris Seifert and Alec Kirschner at 11:18. Kirschner found Holt to make it 3-0 at 14:38, while Todd Chinova made it 4-0 for his second of the season 20 seconds later. Dabkowski and Chris Clark got the assists as Matthew Anthony gave way in net for Matthew Kinsella for the Privateers. Southington, Connecticut native Tyler Fernandez scored twice for 1000 Islands in the second period to make it 4-2. A scrum in front gave James Brooks his first goal as a Privateer, while a turnover set up Justin Levac to tie the game shorthanded. Tension rose as the Privateers killed two late penalties. The 3-on-3 overtime gave the Whalers a couple chances but a loose puck sprung McAllister who rifled it between Spagnoli's pads for the game-winner. Kinsella stopped Danbury's last 27 shots for the win, while Spagnoli took the overtime loss with 41 saves of 46 shots.

The two teams will be on the ice in Alexandria Bay tomorrow night for a 7:05 start. The Whalers return to the Ice Arena to battle division rivals New Jersey next Friday night at 7:35. Tickets are available for this week and all upcoming Whalers games. Get your tickets by visiting thedanburywhalers.com or by calling 973-713-7547.

Bluefins Lose in Overtime

Hyannis,MA

The Cape Cod Bluefins lost a very tough Federal Hockey League game in overtime vs the Akwesasne Warriors. The Fins played with a short bench due some key injuries as well as a few suspensions but they grinded it out against a very skilled and very large Akwesasne team coming up just short 4-3

The first period had a ferocious pace as both goalies were tested early and often with the Bluefins carrying the play and pressuring the Akwesasne net. However both teams failed to light the lamp and only 2 penalties were called as both teams seemed to be frustrated by the opposing goalie.

The 2nd period began with a little more tempo and at the 20 second mark, former NHLer and the FHL leading scorer, Pierre Dagenais took a pass and fired a rising slap shot that beat Bluefins Goalie Wes Vesprini over his left shoulder and under the crossbar to make it 1-0 Akwesasne. However, 1:22 later Bluefins leading scorer, Garrett Peters made a fantastic individual move around a Warrior defensemen, fired a low shot that goalie, Adam Thompson stopped. But Peters followed up his own rebound and slid a nifty backhand past the outstretched net minder, tying the game at 1. Less than 2 minutes later Akwesasne forward Jeremy VanHoof scored on a rebound from a Sylvan Deschatelets shot to make is 2-1 Akwesasne. One minute later, Bluefins defenseman, Luke Frey took a nice feed at the point and ripped a low drive past Thompson to tie the game at 2. The two teams battled it out for the next 12 minutes with only 2 penalties called. But the game was up and down and very entertaining for the home crowd. It wasn't until the 15:25 mark that Kevin McCready put the Fins on top cashing in on a David Lun rebound after Lun made a great move to get off the shot. Peters also collected an assist on the goal. However, with just :23 left to play in the period, Ahmed Mouhfouz slid in a Dagenais rebound from an impossible angle to make it 3-3 after 2 periods.

The 3rd period ended with no scoring saw lots of action as both teams pressured the opposing goalies relentlessly. However, the referee called a very questionable late penalty which carried over into the overtime session. Having to play a 4 on 3 format proved fatal for the Fins as just 1 minute into the overtime Sylvan Deschatelets took a nice feed from VanHoof and buried it low and past the outstretched Vesprini. It was a very tough way to lose as the Bluefins clearly out played the Warriors.

The Bluefins next home game is on Wednesday December 14th at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center vs. The Danbury Whalers. As part of the ongoing Bluefins Youth Nights, all youth hockey players receive free admission. Join the Bluefins on Friday December 16th as the Bluefins host Army National Guard Night at the Youth Center when they take on the FHL Federal team.

Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2011

• Federal Hockey League Game Recaps - FPHL
• New Jersey Escapes with 3-2 Win Over Brooklyn - Brooklyn Aviators
• Danbury Whalers Home Tonight - Danbury Whalers

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