Federal Hockey League Game Recaps
Published on December 31, 2013 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Whalers Close Out 2013 with a Victory, 5-3 Over Privateers
By: Nick Magoulas
Danbury,CT- The Whalers were looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Privateers on Sunday. They were also looking to close out 2013 on a high note. Brad Norkum collected 3 points and Kevin Hoy made 42 stops in place of Mike Brown to lead the Whalers into the New Year victorious Tuesday night 5-3.
The two teams would skate to a scoreless tie after one period of play despite several solid scoring opportunities for both teams. Both goaltenders were perfect in the first, with the Privateers outshooting the Whalers 16-14. Rob Dongara had the best scoring opportunity of the period when David Lun centered a pass right onto his stick in front. Dongara one-timed the shot on goal, but was turned aside by Privateers goalie Matt Anthony, who along with Whalers goalie Kevin Hoy, made several acrobatic saves throughout the period.
In the second period the Whalers would get off to a very fast start, as Cody Ayers put the Whalers ahead 1-0 just 47 seconds into the middle frame. With the Whalers shorthanded Ayers intercepted a cross ice pass from Dane Erickson and sped away on a breakaway. Ayers outraced Liam Tully to the loose puck and beat Matt Anthony to the glove side for his 11th goal of the season. At 4:41 of the second, Ryan Patsch would connect on his 6th of the season to make it 2-0. Ilya Solarev made a nice touch pass in the neutral zone to Patsch who skated in and unleashed a wicked wrist shot to the blocker side of Anthony. The Privateers would answer back just over one minute later as Beni Berisha would cash in his 5th of the season to make it 2-1. Andrew Harrison carried the puck into the Whalers zone and passed it to Berisha streaking down the slot. The initial shot was stopped by Kevin Hoy, but Berisha was able to bury the rebound and cut their deficit to one. It wouldn't last long as Igor Karlov would score at 11:35 to make it 3-1. Brad Norkum's initial shot to the goal didn't make it through, but Rob Dongara's backhander was stopped by Anthony and the rebound ended up right on the backhand of Karlov who buried it for his 5th of the season. Just 25 seconds later Matt Caranci would but the Whalers ahead by three on his 8th of the season. Cody Ayers came streaking down the left wing side of the Privateers zone. He sent a pass to the top of the slot where Caranci one-timed a shot past Anthony to make it 4-1. The Whalers outshot Watertown 24-6 in the second period.
The Privateers would make things interesting in the third period. First, it was Beni Berisha putting home his second of the game and 6th of the season to make it 4-2. After Andrew Willock was tripped up at the blue line, the Privateers came down on a 3 on 1 break. Dustin Skinner centered a feed for Berisha who tapped it home to cut the Whaler Deficit to two. With 4:37 left in the game, Dustin Skinner would collect a power play tally to make it 4-3. After an Alex Riccio penalty, the Privateers moved the puck to the point in the person of Craig Cole. He sent a pass across to Skinner who one-timed it home past Hoy for his 8th of the season. The Privateers outshot Danbury 22-11 in the third period. Just when it seemed the Privateers had taken all the momentum away from Danbury, Tim Richter would put the visitors away by tipping home his 8th of the season to make it 5-3. After a stop by Anthony, the puck deflected off Richter and in over the goal line.
Game Notes : Matt Anthony made 45 saves in the defeat for Watertown... Danbury outshot Watertown 50-45... The Whalers were 0 for 2 on the power play, while the Privateers were 1 for 5...These two teams are back in action tomorrow night as Danbury visits Watertown. Puck drop is at 5:05.
Affinati's Return to Dashers Spoiled in 5-4 OT Loss
By: Tommy Pecoraro
After the release of head coach and GM Mike Chighisola, it was announced that Chris Affinati, a Danville Dashers fan favorite for the past 2 seasons, would return to coach the team for the night as Danville faced the Demonz. What would result is one of the best games the Dashers have played this season, and the crowd being as large and loud as the season's home opener, if not louder. Chants of "Affinati" and "Let's Go Dashers" were frequent during the game, even after the game had ended.
The game started immediately for the Demonz favor, as Roger Tagoona scored on the first shot of the game to make it 1-0, only 15 seconds in. However the Dashers would score 3 straight goals over the course of the 1st period, starting with Edgars Ozolins and Justin Barr only 17 seconds apart, then Robert Vanwynsberghe with his 1st as a Dasher.
The 2nd period would for the most part belong to Dayton, as Anthony Battaglia and Jesse Felten scored 33 seconds apart to tie the game. However the Dashers would retake the lead off a power play goal by Ray Tremblay. The power play as a whole was much improved for the Dashers, even though this was the only time it would cash in.
The 3rd period remained scoreless until a late power play for Danville proved fatal as Brian Marks tied it up 4-4 with less than 3 minutes remaining. The Dashers would nearly come away with the win though, as Justin Barr received a pass from Roman Andrejev in the slot and rang it off the crossbar with 15 seconds to go in what would have been the game winner. Instead we went to overtime and the winner would be scored by Jared Hicks at the 2:14 mark.
For Dayton, Jared Hicks and Jesse Felton tallied a goal and assist, while Anthony Battaglia, Brian Marks, and Roger Tagoona would score the other goals. Jeff Rose stopped 48 of 52 for the win. For the Dashers, Ray Tremblay and Justin Barr scored a goal and an assist each, and Robert Vanwynsberghe and Edgars Ozolins added goals. Lucas LaBelle and Ryan Stern each added 2 assists. Danville nexts hosts Watertown on Friday night, then Danbury on Saturday and Sunday nights. Dayton is vice versa, hosting Danbury on Friday night, then Watertown on Saturday and Sunday nights.
At the end of the game, Chris Affinati did not rule out a possible comeback, and the fans in Danville certainly want him back. Could this be the start of the return of Affi?
Upcoming Games & Events
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 - Danbury at Watertown - 5:05 ET
Friday, January 3 - Danbury at Dayton - 7:35 ET
Friday, January 3 - Watertown at Danville - 8:05 ET
Saturday, January 4 - Watertown at Dayton - 7:35 ET
Saturday, January 4 - Danbury at Danville - 8:05 ET
Sunday, January 5 - Watertown at Dayton - 5:05 ET
Sunday, January 5 - Danbury at Danville - 6:05 ET
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2013
- Federal Hockey League Game Recaps - FPHL
- Danbury Whalers Home Tonight - Danbury Whalers
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