Federal Hockey League Game Recaps

Published on February 16, 2014 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

Dashers Outlast Whalers

By: Zak McGinniss

DANBURY, CT -- Two teams met Sunday evening looking to improve upon their playoff standings. Both the Danbury Whalers and Danville Dashers were victorious in their respective games Saturday night, with the Dashers then making the five hour bus trip from Watertown, New York, for the game in Danbury. Coming into the game, the Danbury Whalers had a seven point lead over the Dayton Demonz for first place. There was no scoring in the first period, though both goalies had to work hard to keep the red light from going off behind them. The best save of the period came courtesy of Kevin Hoy, stopping Joe Pace on a point blank shot from the edge of the crease. Shots on goal for the first period were 10-9 in favor of the Whalers.

Both teams were able to discover their scoring touch in the second period. Marc Thompson started things off for the Danville Dashers by refusing to stop working until the puck was in the net. Things started off a bouncing puck on the side of the net. Goaltender Kevin Hoy could not cover the puck and it was eventually driven into the net by Thompson. Less than two minutes after that, the Whalers were able to respond with a power goal from Ryan Patsch. He had three attempts to score from the slot, and while goaltender Josslin St. Pierre was able to make the first save, and defenseman Joe Pace was able to block the second attempt, Patsch finally converted on the third. Later in the period, at the 8:42 mark, Rob Dongara completed a pass from Harry Radovich and gave the Whalers their first lead of the game. Alex Riccio also received an assist on the play, and the second period ended with the Whalers protecting a one goal lead.

Danville came out with an extra spring in their step as Jonathan Juliano was sprung loose and hauled down by Julian Fraser. As Fraser was serving his penalty, former Whaler Matt Puntureri connected with a power play goal just 1:17 into the period, assisted by Marc Thompson and Liam Tully. That gave the Dashers all the momentum they would need for the rest of the game, as they began to clamp down defensively and stymie the Whalers from establishing any flow in the offensive zone. The Dashers would take the lead with another power play goal half way through the period, with Juliano scoring, assisted by Puntureri and Thompson. With the lead in hand, Danville played conservatively the rest of the game, preferring to dump the puck into the Whalers zone and making a line change, and then standing up the Whalers' offensive rushes. Coupled with the conservative forecheck of the Whalers, Danbury struggled to get shots on goal or establish any offensive pressure for the rest of the period. This was illustrated with roughly five minutes left in the game, as Joe Pace held the puck behind his own net for over 20 seconds, while the Whalers remained in their defensive formation and did not apply pressure. With only a minute and a half left in the game, Jonathan Juliano took an ill advised high sticking penalty, and Coach Phil Esposito pulled Kevin Hoy, giving the Whalers a six on four man power advantage. However, it was Matt Puntureri who took advantage of the empty net, firing the puck from his own zone into the vacated cage with 3.6 seconds left on the clock to ensure a victory for the visiting Danville Dashers. Puntureri was named the first star of the game with two goals and two assists in his first game back at the Danbury Ice Arena, factoring in on every Dasher goal. Jonathan Juliano collected second star honors with the game winning goal and two assists, while goal Josslin St. Pierre was named third star, making 33 saves on 35 shots. For the Dashers, this marked their first regulation win over the Whalers in fourteen attempts. The Danbury Whalers will be back in action tomorrow night for a vital game against the Dayton Demonz.

Demonz Down Privateers

By George Martin

The Watertown Privateers losing streak grew to 9 games in a row, losing 6-3 to the Dayton Demonz.

Scoring for the Demonz was lead by Robert VanWynsberghe with two goals, Wehebe Darge with a goal and two assist, Jesse Felton with a goal and two assist, Daniel Lee Mclure with a goal, Dustin Skinner with two assist, Casey Mignone with a goal and two assist, and August Aiken with an assist.

Scoring for the Privateers was Andrew Harrison with a three goal hat trick, assist went to Brent Clarke with two, Colby Spooner with two, and James Gordon with one on the evening.

Privateer goaltender Matt Anthony saved 31 of 37 shots. and Demonz goaltender Matt Kinsella allowed 3 goals on 29 shots.

VanWynsberghe of the Demonz was tonights first star of the game, Privateers Andrew Harrison took home the second star, and finally Demonz Casey Mignone took the third.

Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2014

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

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.