Federal Hockey League Game Recaps

Published on March 11, 2012 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

O'MALLEY WINS IT IN OVERTIME, WHALERS ON TO SEMIS

DANBURY, CT - Last year, Matthew Puntureri sent the New York Aviators to the FHL Finals with an overtime goal against the Danbury Whalers in Brooklyn. Different year, different stage, different result. Whalers winger Sean O'Malley tied the game in the third period and won it for his team in overtime to defeat the Brooklyn Aviators 5-4 to win the best-of-three series and send the Danbury Ice Arena into delirium. With the win, the Whalers advance to a best-of-three semifinal against the 1000 Islands Privateers.

After giving up three goals in the third period last night, the Whalers came out strong in the first period. Captain James Sanford opened scoring just 67 seconds into the contest from Alex Goupil and Chris Clark. Nick Deschenes and Chris Seifert set up Goupil for his third goal in the series at 3:27. Former Whaler Joe Dabkwoski cashed in on a breakaway to cut the lead to 2-1 and Jason Dolgy tied it 1:10 later. The score would stay deadlocked until a scrum in front of the Brooklyn net resulted in two Whalers receiving minor penalties and a two-minute five-on-three for Brooklyn in the second period. Casey Mignone scored on the power play, then a freak play saw a deflection by Kelly Miller sneak past Peter Vetri and a Brooklyn goal was credited to Rob Schweyer. The Whalers got a goal back before the intermission, as Greg Holt cut it to 4-3 with assists going to Sanford and Martin Moucha at 18:17. O'Malley tied the game as a shot from the boards deflected off the skate of Aviators goalie Josselin St Pierre and found the twine. Helpers went to Moucha and Holt at 8:01. For the remaining 11-plus minutes of regulation, the Whalers controlled possession and challenged St. Pierre, who would not submit. A quick pass up ice from Sanford hit Moffat who found his linemate and O'Malley rifled it top-shelf with 1:54 to go in overtime. Danbury won their first series in playoff history.

The win by the Whalers moves them onto the semifinals to face the 1000 Islands Privateers. The series begins at the Ice Arena Friday night at 7:35. Get your tickets by visiting thedanburywhalers.com or by calling 973-713-7547.

Whalers Prevail in OT, Move on to Semis

DANBURY, Conn. - Sean O'Malley scored 1:54 into the overtime session to lift the Danbury Whalers over the Brooklyn Aviators 5-4 to clinch the best-of-three series on Sunday night in Federal Hockey League action.

With the win, the Whalers move onto the semi-finals round against the 1000 Islands Privateers, while the Aviators season is unfortunately over.

Whalers' captain James Sanford put Danbury up 1-0 after his slap shot from the left point beat A's netminder Jo St. Pierre who appeared to be screened in front 1:07 into the first period. Alex Goupil would double the Whalers lead, 2-0, on his third goal - in as many nights - of the series 2:26 later, however Joe Dabkowski and Jason Dolgy scored two goals for Brooklyn in a span of 1:10 to tie the game 2-2 with 14:22 left in the first.

Brooklyn went on a 5-on-3 power play in the second period after the Whalers took two penalties inside their offense zone. Casey Mignone helped Brooklyn capitalize on the two-man advantage, as he lit the lamp 6:57 into the middle frame to give the Aviators a 3-2 edge. Dolgy set up Mignone on a beautiful backdoor feed from Dolgy in the right wing circle for his second of the series. Rob Schweyer then recorded his first marker of the post season on a give away in front of Whalers' goalie Peter Vetri to double the A's lead at 4-2 with 10:10 left in the second.

Danbury cut into the lead, 4-3, with 1:43 left in the frame when a loose puck got behind St. Pierre and Greg Holt was there on the doorstep to put home the puck.

A fluky goal 10:01 into the third period tied the game for the Danbury Whalers, 4-4, after Sean O'Malley threw the puck towards the net to only hit an Aviator skate camped out in front of St. Pierre.

Vetri gets the win stopping 29 shots, while St. Pierre is charged with the loss despite putting forth a valiant effort after making 46 saves.

From all of us here with the Brooklyn Aviators, we would like to thank all the fans, families, and sponsors for their support this entire season.

Stay tuned throughout the off-season for updates about the upcoming A's season.

THANK YOU ALL! LET'S GO AVIATORS!!

Privateers Take First Round

What has become an infamous river rivalry between the 1000 Islands Privateers and the Akwasasne Warriors came to a close in 2012 as the Privateers beat the Warriors 6-2 to move on to the second round in the FHL playoff race. A Sunday night crowd of 1138 saw fierce play as both clubs fought for the chance to continue their season. With the win, the Privateers face the Danbury Whalers in round two next weekend.

1000 Islands got on the board first as the three captains combined to score: Adam McAllister netted at 1:46 (Brad Smulders, Paul Kelly). Both clubs took penalties through most of the period until the Warriors evened the game at 14:08 with Nicolas Corbeil's unassisted goal.

Corbeil scored again shorthanded in the second at 3:51 (Dan Tessier, Carter Trevesani) for the go ahead 2-1. Again penalties mounted until Privateer Kelly evened things up at 15:32 (Smulders). Less than a minute later Michael Byrd netted at 16:12 on a powerplay score (Smulders, McAllister) to regain the lead.

The rest was all 1000 Islands: Byrd again at 1:05 in the 3rd (Kelly), McAllister on a powerplay at 6:30 (Kelly, Byrd) to make it 5-2, and then Brendan Baumgartner at 12:51 on a powerplay (McAllister) finalized the 6-2 score. The final minutes were marred by bench clearing fights that led to multiple Akwasasne penalties.

With the victory, the Privateers move to round two of the FHL playoffs and will face Danbury on their ice Friday March 16th. The Whalers will then travel to Alex Bay on Saturday for a Privateer St. Patrick's Day home game starting at 7:05pm. Sunday will offer the tiebreaker if need with a 5pm start at Bonnie Castle.

An original member of the Federal Hockey League, the 1000 Islands Privateers are an 'A' level professional hockey team competing at the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center in Alexandria Bay, NY. For tickets, fundraising and group sales, and corporate partnership opportunities, contact the Privateers' box office at (315) 382-5656.

Upcoming Games & Events

"SKATE TO THE CUP "

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Wednesday, March 14 - New Jersey at Cape Cod - 7:35 EDT

New Jersey leads best of 5 - 2-0

*Thursday, March 15 - New Jersey at Cape Cod - 7:35 EDT

* if necessary

Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2012

• Federal Hockey League Game Recaps - FPHL
• Whalers Prevail in OT, Move on to Semis - Brooklyn Aviators
• Danbury Whalers Home Today - Danbury Whalers

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