Federal Hockey League Game Recaps

Published on January 26, 2014 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

Teamwork and Strong Goaltending Propel the Demonz Past Dashers

Robert Kirchner

(Dayton, Ohio) After a four player trade earlier this week between the Danville Dashers, both teams met for the first time today at Hara Arena. The Demonz roster has changed dramatically over the past week, with their captain being called up to the Southern Professional Hockey League, and the release of a player. Coming into to today's game the 2nd place Demonz were still trying to find an identity. They may have found it with their recent transactions.

The Demonz roster changes at least from the small sample of one game proved to be what the doctor ordered, as the Demonz played what could possibly be their best team game of the year on home ice with a convincing 6-0 win over the Dashers this evening.

Although the Demonz outshot the Dashers in the 1st period 16-8, and a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission, they seemed a little rusty, and at times out of sync with one another. Ahmed Mahfouz was credited with Dayton's goal, with assists going to Robert Vanwynsberghe and Len Pelletier.

In the 2nd Period the Demonz began to show chemistry that was reminiscent of last year team. A combination of team speed, a strong transition game, and beating the Dashers to lose pucks opened the game up, as they would create numerous scoring chances, crisp passing, and dominating the Dashers through the final 40 minutes of play. And most importantly outstanding goaltending, as Matthew Kinsella made many athletic saves when called upon, as he recorded his first shutout of the season.

The Second period would end 3-0. Scoring for the Demonz were August Aiken and newly acquired Casey Mignone. Assist on the goals went to Jonathan Juliano, Brian Marks, and Shaun Fisher.

In the final frame, the Demonz continued with their relentless pursuit of the puck, and dominating in all zones. Just when you thought the Demonz were doing what they had to do to win, they got better, pressuring and wining puck battles, and the will to prove they wanted to be better, as they would double their goal output from the first two periods, and add 3 more goals (making it final 6-0 Dayton) in the 3rd, maybe trying to prove to themselves they are a better team than earlier in the game, possibly better than all season, with tape to tape passes, smart puck decisions, and clean entries into the Dashers zone.

Scoring in the 3rd period were Aiken's 2nd of the evening, Vanwynberghe's first as a Demon, and Jesse Felten. Marks would add 2 more assists for a 3 point night, the other assists on the goals in the period would go to Mahfouz (his 2 points on the evening place him in a first place tie for the league's scoring) and Juliano's second of the night.

Game Notes: This was a total team win; Brett Wall although not getting on the scoreboard, played a strong game, and provided a few nice clean hits on the evening. The 3 stars of the game went to Demonz Matthew Kinsella (1st Star), August Aiken (2nd Star), Brian Marks (3rd Star). Marks' has been named the Captain of the Demonz with former captain Anthony Battaglia moving up to the Southern Professional Hockey League. The game had very few infractions; actually the only penalties called were in the middle frame, as both teams showed good sportsmanship throughout the contest. Tonight the Demonz welcomed the Shriners to Hara, while the City of Trotwood was honored.

Solarev's Late Goal Leads Whalers to Victory

By: Nick Magoulas

Danbury CT- The winter Olympics in Sochi are just a couple of weeks away and tonight a native of Russia had an Olympian type performance for the Danbury Whalers. Ilya Solarev had two goals including the game winner with 7.9 seconds left and Mike Brown made 39 saves, as the Whalers defeated the Watertown Privateers Sunday night 3-2

The Privateers got the scoring started in the first period after building momentum following a five minute penalty kill. Jeff Dill was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct just two minutes into the game. After the Privateers successfully killed off the Whalers ensuing power play, it was Brent Clarke cashing in with his 3rd of the season to make it 1-0 Watertown. The Whalers wouldn't wait long to tie it, as Mike Henderson would answer at 12:52 to knot the score at one. It was the 2nd of the season for Henderson. Ilya Solarev would give the Whalers their first lead of the night at 16:56 with his 11th of the season. Ryan Patsch made a pretty crisscross pass with Solarev who buried it over the glove of Privateers goalie Matt Anthony and the home team had a 2-1 advantage after one period.

The two teams would play a more conservative second period as neither would light the lamp in the middle frame. Both teams had good chances, but both goalies stood tall and the score stayed 2-1 after forty minutes of play.

In the third it was Dustin Skinner tying the game up at 4:36 with his 14th of the season on a fluky play in front of the Whalers goal. Britt Ouellette carried the puck into the paint where Skinner was able to get a shot away on Brown. The initial shot was stopped but the rebound lay in the crease where Brad Norkum would inadvertently knock it over the goal line.

It looked as if OT was all but a certainty in this one, until Ilya Solarev cashed in his second of the game and 12th of the season with just 7.9 seconds remaining in regulation. A loose puck somehow found its way onto the stick of Rob Dongara, who had his shot blocked by a defender. However, the blocked shot ended up on the stick of Solarev who was able to beat Anthony low to the glove side and sending the Danbury faithful home happy.

Whalers head coach Phil Esposito had nothing but praise for the former Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick. "He's (Solarev) been tremendous for us. Ever since he got used to playing this style of hockey as opposed to how it is in Europe, he's been a huge asset to our success."

Game Notes:

Matt Anthony made 34 saves in the loss for Watertown... The Whalers were 0 for 4 with the man advantage, while the Privateers finished 0 for 5... The Privateers outshot Danbury 41-37... Igor Karlov missed his second straight game for Danbury with an illness. The Whalers finished their six game home stand 5-1.

Upcoming Games & Events

Thursday, January 30 - Watertown at Dayton - 7:35 ET

Thursday, January 30 - Danbury at Danville - 8:05 ET

Friday, January 31 - Watertown at Dayton - 7:35 ET

Friday, January 31 - Danbury at Danville - 8:05 ET

Saturday, February 1 - Danbury at Dayton - 7:35 ET

Saturday, February 1 - Watertown at Danville - 8:05 ET

Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2014

• Federal Hockey League Game Recaps - FPHL
• Danbury Whalers Home Tonight - Danbury Whalers
• Ice Chips - FPHL

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