Federal Hockey League Game Recaps
Published on February 6, 2015 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Dashers Dominate Warriors, 8-1
By Easton Hoskins
The Steel City Warriors were at the David S. Palmer Arena tonight to take on our Danville Dashers in the first half of a Thursday/Friday back to back series. The Dashers peppered Dalton McGrath with 27 shots in the first period, however, McGrath only let one shot past him. The lone Dashers goal of the first came from Gehrett Sargis on A breakaway, with an assist from goalie Breton Lindoff. The Warriors countered back with a goal of their own. John Scully wired a slap shot from the point that got past Lindoff to make it 1-1 at the end of the first period. The Dashers outshot the Warriors 27-7 in the first period.
The brick wall that was Dalton McGrath in the first was no more in the second. McGrath gave up four goals on 23 shots. Harrison, Soskin, Tesoriero, and Sargis all scored for the Dashers. Breton Lindoff stopped all 8 shots he saw, and the Dashers took a four goal lead into the locker room at the break. The third period was about the same as the second. Colin Dunne came into the game for Steel City and gave up three goals on 16 shots. Wehebe Darge started the period off with a goal for the Dashers, and then A.J. Tesoriero scored back to back goals to give him the hat trick for the night. The Dashers are back into action tomorrow night against the Steel City Warriors.
Grudge Match Ends With Dayton Victorious in Overtime
Derek Andrews and Robert Kirchner
Dayton, Ohio --- In what felt like an overtime game in the NHL Playoffs, each team had chances to score, but Dayton got the last word. In the three-on-three session, Vanwynsberghe stole the puck near mid-ice and scored on a breakaway to give his team the 5-4 victory with just 26.9 seconds left in overtime.
For both clubs, it was evident that Thursday night's matchup at Hara Arena was the biggest game of the season thus far. Earlier in the day, Dayton activated Robert Vanwynsberghe who was reassigned to the team from Peoria of the Southern Professional Hockey League. For Watertown, Lucas LaBelle came back from suspension. Also, Forward Matt Wray, the team leader in penalty minutes, returned for the Wolves.
Dayton and Watertown came into the game separated by one point in the standings for first place. The first period was a feeling out process for both teams. Dayton had the shot, outshooting the Wolves 14-3, while Watertown had the edge in puck possession.
With just a couple of seconds left in the first period, Dayton won the face off deep inside of the Watertown zone, the puck was sent back to Brian Marks who was at the right point, and let go a wrist shot, though a screened Wolves goaltender, Josselin St. Pierre, and the puck went into the Wolves net with .5 seconds left on the clock, sending the Demonz into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
Watertown tied it 3:10 into the second on Chad Bennett's goal from close range, his 22nd of the year. Wray got the assist as the intensity began to pick up.
The Demonz appeared to score the go-ahead goal midway through the period, but officials claimed the goal was off its moorings before the puck crossed the red line. Dayton had a 27-8 advantage in shots to this point.
Seth Ronsberg scored soon after on a rebound into an uncovered net with about five minutes to play in the second, giving the Demonz a 2-1 lead. The goal was his 20th of the season.
The lead lasted 6:14 into the third. Phil Bronner carried the puck deep into the Demonz zone, fished the puck out of traffic, and slid it between the legs of Dayton's Dan McWhinney to tie it at 2-2.
Third period action heated up seconds later as Jared Hicks notched a go ahead tally for Dayton. However, this lead lasted less than 20 seconds. Watertown's Cody Dion put one past McWhinney for the equalizer. This intense contest entered the last 10 minutes tied.
Bronner scored his second of the evening to give the Wolves their first lead at 4-3. Third period action resembled a playoff atmosphere with several scrums and a five minute major for fighting sprinkled in for each team.
McWhinney made a highlight reel save on a penalty shot to keep the deficit at one. The goaltender was faked out, but saved the puck with his stick as the crowd erupted. This turned out to be a game-saver.
Fittingly, Ronsberg tied it with a slapshot over St. Pierre's left shoulder with a little over a minute to play in regulation. The best game of the year at Hara Arena went to overtime. As Vanwynsberghe's scored the game winner, making it final 5-4, the Demonz and Watertown are now tied with 80 points each for first place in the Federal Hockey League. This makes tomorrow's rematch that much more important with first place on the line.
Stars of the Game
Robert Vanwynsberghe (Dayton) Seth Ronsberg (Dayton) Matt Wray (Watertown)
Next Home Game: Friday, February 6 at Hara Arena vs. Watertown. Gametime is 7:35 p.m.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2015
- Ice Chips - FPHL
- Demonz Defeat Watertown in FHL Play this Eveing to Move into First Place - Dayton Demonz
- Demonz Win Showdown - Dayton Demonz
- Federal Hockey League Game Recaps - FPHL
- Demonz Defeat Watertown 5-4 in Overtime - Dayton Demonz
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