FHL Connected: Game Recaps February 11, 2017
February 12, 2017 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Carolina Thunderbirds News Release
Game Recaps for the Federal Hockey League for Saturday, February 11, 2017. View photos, box scores and much more at federalhockey.com
Goals and Fists Lead to Danbury Victory
By Zak McGinniss
Danbury, CT -- Nikolai Okhlobystin recorded two goals in a Gordie Howe hat trick, including the game winning goal, as the Danbury Titans won their second in a row over the Cornwall Nationals by a 5-2 score on Saturday night at the Danbury Ice Arena. Nikita Ivandikov stopped 28 of 30 shots as the Titans retook sole possession of fourth place in the Federal Hockey League.
Cornwall would record their first goal just 1:33 into the game off a deflected pass from behind the net that found its way between Ivandikov's legs. The goal would be credited to Ian Boots, but it would be the only lead that Cornwall would hold for the rest of the game. Tyler Noseworthy tied the game halfway through the period beating Cornwall's Paul Bourbeau Jr with a snap shot along the ice to the glove side. Okholbystin then recorded a pair of goals five minutes apart, and Taylor Bourne scored with 22.2 seconds remaining to pace the Titans to a 4-1 lead at the end of the first period.
Bourne's goal proved to be too much for Cornwall head coach Alain Quenville, as he replaced Bourbeau Jr with backup Francis Dupuis to begin the second period after the Titans scored 4 times on only 11 shots. Junior Harris scored a highlight reel goal with a short handed breakaway to make the lead 5-1. The game took an aggressive turn and the fists started flying towards the end of the period. Okhlobystin and Stan Vlasov squared off with 4:45 remaining in an even bout. Two minutes later Sean Maktaak and Sylvester Bzdyl dropped the gloves, and Maktaak fed Cornwall's leading scorer a steady diet of uppercuts before being separated by the linesmen.
Fifty five seconds into the third, Jean-Christopher Houde found a loose puck on the side of the Danbury net and stuffed it through the legs of Ivandikov for the last goal of the game. The pugilistic affairs were not through, as Maktaak and Mikael Pregent went at it off a faceoff in the Danbury zone. While the fight was certainly more even than Maktaak's first fight, the British Columbia native again brought the home crowd to its feet with another win. Late in the game, Cornwall's Joe Cannan would pop Danbury rookie James O'Reilly in the face which nearly resulted in Cannan's ejection. He would stand over the fallen O'Reilly until the rookie got back to his feet. They dropped the gloves and O'Reilly dropped the veteran with one shot.
The Titans will be in action again tomorrow, Sunday afternoon, hosting the Watertown Wolves with a 5:05pm faceoff. It will be Romance in the Rink, where a lucky fan will walk away with a diamond pendant valued at $1750.00.
SCS Drops 2nd in Weekend Series
By: Robin Vortanov
Justin Brausen led the Danville Dashers to a 5-2 win over the SCS Fighting Saints with a 4 goal performance. Andy DiCristofaro was solid in net for the Dashers as he returned home to play against his former team.
Danville has won both games so far this weekend and will look for the sweep of the Fighting Saints at 5pm tomorrow back at the St Clair Shores Civic Arena.
MARTINU STONES RIVER DRIVERS
By Dennis Stuckey
(Port Huron, MI) - Port Huron Prowlers goalie Curtis Martinu stopped 58 of 59 shots fired at him by the Berlin River Drivers on Saturday, leading the Prowlers to a 4-1 win. Port Huron raced out to a 2-0 lead after one, despite being out shot 19-6 in the period. Matt Beer scored the game's first goal, parked all alone off to the side of the Berlin net. Jacques Lamoureux forced a turnover behind the goal, then found the open Beer for a slam dunk at 2:32. The Prowlers went up 2-0 at 6:31 of the first, when Branden Parkhouse found Matt Robertson in the slot for a pretty goal, capping a nice passing play started by Ahmed Mahfouz. The trio have combined for 75 points in the last ten games for Port Huron.
The Prowlers were out shot in the second period 23-8, but managed to trade goals with the River Drivers to maintain their lead. Jacques Lamoureux redirected a Robertson pass at 9:50 of the second to put Port Huron up 3-0. Joe Pace Jr. held the puck in at the blue line to earn the second assist on the goal. David Brancik got Berlin on the board late in the period. Brancik netted his second goal of the weekend, sending in a shot from the right point during a River Drivers power play. Dominik Synek and Jiri Pestuka set the goal up, but it would be the only shot to get past Curtis Martinu all night.
Berlin continued to pump shots at the net in the third, out shooting the Prowlers 17-10, but Scott Witmyer batted in his own rebound at 17:18 to ice the game, and give Port Huron a 4-1 advantage. Branden Parkhouse picked up the only assist on the goal, which was the four in the last four games for Witmyer.
Port Huron continues a seven game home stand next weekend, when Danbury visits McMorran Arena for the first time since last season's Commissioner's Cup Finals, on Friday and Saturday. Face-off both nights is 7:30 PM.
Federal Hockey League | FederalHockey.com | @THEFHL
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2017
- FHL Connected: Game Recaps February 12, 2017 - Carolina Thunderbirds
- FHL Connected: Game Recaps February 11, 2017 - Carolina Thunderbirds
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