Federal Hockey League Game Recaps

March 24, 2014 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

Dayton Overpowers Danville in 8-2 Win

Robert Kirchner

(Dayton, Ohio) The Dayton Demonz returned home to Hara Arena this evening where they overwhelmed the Danville Dashers by a score of 8-2. Demonz goaltender Jeff Rose was solid in the net for the Demonz, stopping 23 of 25 shots he faced for the win. Dayton and Rose were eyeing the shutout, and possibly had eyes on getting to the locker room, after playing their fourth game in as many nights, when Danville broke their shutout with less than 3 minutes to play in a game the Demonz dominated. Dashers Marc Thompson and A J Tesoriero goals came off a late offensive surge by Danville. Both Danville's goals were scored from the low slot area, which the Demonz did not allow the Dashers to penetrate in the games previous 57 minutes of play.

In the first period both teams looked tired as they created numerous turnovers. Dayton's skill and team speed helped them recover from their turnovers, better than the Dashers as they took a 2 - 0 lead at the end of the first intermission. Demonz Trevor Karasiewicz goal gave Dayton their first goal just over 3 minutes into the game. Ahmed Mahfouz scored his league leading 40th goal of the season with under 2 minutes left in the period, finishing off a beautiful pass from Karasiewicz with both players breaking through the Dashers slot.

Dayton would dominate the middle period scoring 5 goals through an aggressive offensive attack, which came in waves. The Demonz would have the Dashers on their heels throughout the 2nd period. With Dayton taking a 6-0 lead mid-way through the period, Danville Coach Mike Kellermeyer decided to replace his starting goaltender Josselin St. Pierre and go with Matt Anthony for the rest of the game. Three of the five goals scored by Dayton in the period were off the power play. Dustin Skinner (2 goals), Jesse Felten, August Aiken and Wehebe Darge lead the charge, as the Demonz skill and teamwork was exhibited. The period would end with Dayton in full control leading 7-0.

Wehebe Darge's goal, his second of the game about mid-way through the 3rd period gave Dayton the 8-0 lead. Dayton would again dominate the period, but a defensive lapse late in the game led to the Demonz losing their shutout, in an otherwise outstanding Demonz team victory.

Note: Tonight the Dayton Demonz honored Guy Trottier, who served as the Demonz honorary captain. Trottier played professionally for the Dayton Gems in the 1960s and early 1970s, when they were in the International Hockey League. Guy also played several seasons in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association.

Whalers defeats Privateers; Battle for First Place Intensifies

By: Nick Magoulas

Danbury CT- The battle for first place overall in the FHL between the Dayton Demonz and the Danbury Whalers is deadlocked right now. The Whalers know that every game moving forward is critical if they want the first round bye into the Commissioners Cup Finals. If Ryan Patsch continues to shoot the puck anywhere near the opposing team's net, he may single handedly lead Danbury right where they need to be. Patsch remained on fire Sunday night, collecting three goals and an assist and Kevin Hoy made saves to guide the Whalers past the Watertown Privateers 5-1.

In the first period, Ryan Patsch continued his hot scoring streak and got the Whalers on the board first at 7:02 with his 28th goal of the season. The Co-Rookie of the year took a pass from Cody Ayers and used his speed to get around the Watertown defense and bury the puck high over the blocker of former Whaler Nick Niedert. Patsch wasn't don't yet, as he would collect his second of the game and 29th of the season at 15:51 on the power play. James Sanford's initial shot was stopped by Niedert, however, the rebound came right to the stick of Patsch who tapped it home to make it 2-0 Danbury. The Privateers would get on the board with just 1.9 seconds remaining in the opening frame. Watertown defenseman Ryan Devine's quick shot off the faceoff was knocked down by the left pad of Whalers goalie Kevin Hoy right to the waiting Dane Erickson who fired it home and cut the Danbury lead to 2-1. It was the 23rd goal of the season for Erickson, who came into the game tied with Dayton Demonz forward Jesse Felten for 3rd in the FHL in scoring.

The Whalers would break the game open in the second period with three tallies. Tim Richter got it started at 5:32, as he took a feed from Cody Ayers in the slot and fired the puck past Niedert to make it 3-1. It was the 27th goal of the season for the Whalers second Co-Rookie of the year. David Lun got his name on the scoring sheet at 9:53 with his 16th of the season. Danbury forward Garrett Peters started the play by wrapping the puck around the goal and into the Watertown crease. Lun was able to get his stick on the loose puck and tap it into the net to make it a 4-1 lead. At 15:21, Ryan Patsch completed the hat trick and collected his team leading 30th goal of the season. Patsch carried the puck down the right wing on a 2 on 1 with Cody Ayers and unleashed a wrist shot that trickled through the five hole into the goal and signaled the end of the night for Nick Niedert. The Whalers took the four goal advantage into the second intermission.

The Privateers got one goal back in the third period at the 2:05 mark. Matt Graham was able to bank a shot off the right pad of Hoy and into the goal to make it 5-2. It was the 8th goal of the season for the Watertown forward. That's as close as the Privateers would get as the Whalers shut down the offense the rest of the way and completed the sweep of the three game home stand. Now it's off to Watertown and Dayton next weekend where the Whalers will attempt to secure first place and a first round bye in the Commissioner's Cup playoffs.

Game Notes: Nick Niedert finished with 16 saves on 21 shots, while Bryan Kalczynski stopped all 13 he faced in relief... The Whalers finished 1 for 2 on the power play, while Watertown was 0 for 2... Watertown outshot Danbury 37-34... The Whalers extended their current winning streak to four in a row...Kevin Hoy has now won the last four games he's started.

Upcoming Games & Events

Friday, March 28 - Danville at Dayton - 7:35 ET

Friday, March 28 - Danbury at Watertown - 7:35 ET

Saturday, March 29 - Danbury at Dayton - 7:35 ET

END OF REGULAR SEASON

Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2014

• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
• Federal Hockey League Game Recaps - FPHL

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