FHL Connected: Game Recaps January 23, 2016
Published on January 23, 2016 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
(Berlin, New Hampshire) The Berlin River Drivers hosted the hot streaking Brewster Bulldogs at the Notre Dame Arena for the 1st annual Military Appreciation Night presented by the Northland Restaurant and Dairy Bar. The River Drivers organization recognized those who have served and those currently serving in our Armed Forces. Fans were treated to an extended game as the River Drivers tied the game late in the 3d period to force overtime and ultimately defeated the Bulldogs 4 to 3.
The home team jumped out to a fast lead when Tom Tracy scored 48 seconds into the game off assists from Tyler Prendergast and Steven Gallo. The Bulldogs would score 3 unanswered goals to give them a 3 to 1 lead after the 1st period. Scoring for the Bulldogs was Alex Johnson, MJ Graham and Cory Giroux.
The second period would see a barrage of shots from both teams, but both goaltenders stood tall and did not allow a single puck to pass. River Drivers tallied 15 shots in the period and the Bulldogs tallied 11.
The River Drivers started the 3d period trailing by 2 goals, but by the time the clock showed all zeros, they had tied the game up at 3 to force overtime. Scoring in the 3d period was Brantley Sherwood off assists from Jiri Pestuka and Pavel Kubena at 17:53 and Steven Gallo off assists from Tyler Prendergast and Tom Tracy at 18:37.
In the overtime period both teams moved the puck and with 14 seconds remaining in the extra period Matias Simontaival scored the game winning goal off assists from David Brancik and Jiri Pestuka to give the home team a 4 to 3 victory.
The River Drivers begin a stretch of road games starting next Thursday in Port Huron. The River Drivers next home game is scheduled for Friday, February 5th against the Danbury Titans starting at 7:30pm (EST). Tickets are now on sale by calling the River Drivers' Front Office at 603-752-4100 or 603-915-3063 or you can email mdorval@riverdrivershockey.com. Advance tickets can be purchased at Bob's Variety, Fagans Pub, Rudy's Market, and Gorham Sports and Hardware. Gameday tickets can be purchased at the Notre Dame Arena. For additional information and to stay current on your RiverDrivers visit them online at RiverDriversHockey.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter (@GoRiverDrivers).
Danbury Buries Port Huron 3-2
By Zak McGinniss
DANBURY, CT -- A snowy Saturday night in the Nutmeg State saw the Danbury Titans host the red hot Port Huron Prowlers, winners of their last 6 in a row and 13 of their past 15. Dr. Peter Maro, a 50 year old orthodontist, was signed as an emergency backup for last night's game versus the Brewster Bulldogs. Appearing in relief of Austin Lefkowitz, Maro did not give up a goal in the one period he played, and was named the starting goaltender for the Danbury Titans following the return of Mike Peerless from injury. Maro would make 24 of 26 saves as the Titans skated away with a 3-2 victory.
Skating with only ten players, the Danbury Titans would be shorthanded from the beginning of the game. Jason Berube, Matt Caranci, Frank Schumacher, and Kory Helowka remain injured, while Jarrett Rush was serving the last game of his suspension. John Scorcia would start the scoring early for the Titans, connecting just 2:06 into the game, assisted by Mike Driscoll. It was the only goal of the period, with Prowlers' goaltender Andy DiCristofaro stopping 18 of 19 shots in the first period. For the Titans, Maro remained perfect, stopping all 11 shots he faced.
Port Huron would start to lose discipline in the second period, incurring 6 penalties. Three of those penalty were bench minors; two for abuse of officials, and a minor for too many men on the ice. Danbury could not find the net on the power play in the period, despite coming into the game with the second best power play in the league, converting on 19.3% of their opportunities. Port Huron would get onto the board at the 9:04 mark, as defenseman Len Pelletier sneaked a puck past the right shoulder of Peter Maro to tie the game at 1. Just over a minute later, the Prowlers would take the lead as Justin Alonzo rifled a shot past Maro. Ahmed Mahfouz would get the lone assist on each goal. Mahfouz would have an opportunity of his own with a penalty shot, but Peter Maro stood tall and made the save. Mike Driscoll would score shorthanded for the Titans with under 2 minutes to go, and the period would end tied at two.
The teams would continue to trade chances in the third period, and Dan Loughlin would score his first as a Titan at 10:50 to restore the lead for the Titans. Later in the period, Jason Pietrasiak had an apparent goal waived off as the puck had never crossed the goal line. Head Coach Trevor Karasiewicz responded by throwing every stick he could find on the ice, throwing a water bottle at the referee, and ended his show by waiving a white towel in the sign of surrender. It gave Danbury yet another opportunity on the power play, but again they could not score, ending the night 0-9 with the man advantage. With DiCristofaro on the bench, the Prowlers mounted one last effort, but Peter Maro shut the door and recorded his first professional hockey win since 2009.
Danbury dominated in shots, finishing the game with a 52-25 advantage. John Scorcia was named the third star with a goal and assist, and Maro was awarded the second star with his 24 saves. Mike Driscoll was the first star of the game with an assist and the shorthanded goal that tied the game at the end of the second period. The Danbury Titans will go on the road for the next weekend, with games against Dayton, Port Huron, and Brewster on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday respectively. For tickets and more information, contact the Danbury Titans by calling 1-844-DT-HOCKEY or visit their website at danburytitans.com.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2016
- River Drivers Outlast Bulldogs 4 to 3 in Overtime - Berlin River Drivers
- FHL Connected: Game Recaps January 23, 2016 - FPHL
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