FHL Connected: Game Recaps January 9, 2016
Published on January 9, 2016 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Bulldogs Sweep Weekend, Beat Berlin 5-3
By: Tommy Pecoraro
For the first time in franchise history, the Bulldogs win 2 consecutive matches and win all games in a single weekend, after coming up with a 3-2 victory the previous night against border rival Danbury, and coming into tonight's game with a revamped roster, had nothing short of 3 points as the mission for tonight's contest.
The River Drivers got out to a good start, scoring 4 minutes into the 1st period on a goal from Stathis Soumelidis. Towards the halfway point the period, Joe Cannan and Nick Wright dropped the gloves in a rematch of their last battle on New Year's Day, and while a closer battle, Cannan still came up victorious over Wright. The Bulldogs gained momentum, and Alex Johnson tied the game less than 2 minutes later. Brewster continued the attack and took the lead with 4 minutes to go on a goal by Nikolai Okhlobystin. In the 2nd period, Berlin would tie the game 2 minutes in, on a goal by Andre Niec. Ben Kramer would give Brewster a 3-2 lead early in the 3rd period before Troy Polino tied the game once again halfway through the period. As overtime loomed ever closer, a loose puck in the slot from a Berlin turnover was blasted into the net from Nikolai Okhlobystin, his 2nd of the game, with only 4 minutes left in regulation to give Brewster the lead. Berlin's last gasp came in the last 2 minutes with Valery Pronin on the bench and 6 attackers on the ice, however the River Drivers could not muster another tying goal, and Dustin Jesseau scored an empty net goal at the buzzer to wrap up a 5-3 victory for the Bulldogs to send them into 5th place in the FHL standings, creeping closer to Berlin's 4th place position.
For Brewster, Nikolai Okhlobystin had 2 goals, Dustin Jesseau had a goal and 2 assists, Ben Kramer and Alex Johnson had a goal and assist each. Jeromy Semtner stopped 26 of 29 shots for the victory. For Berlin, Andre Niec had a goal and assist, Troy Polino and Stathis Soumelidis had the other goals, and Valery Pronin stopped 36 of 40 for the loss.
The Bulldogs have a 3 game home stand starting Friday the 15th against Danville, then home again vs Berlin on Saturday the 16th and wrap up with a game against Dayton on Sunday the 17th. Berlin is home against Danbury on Friday the 15th before coming to Brewster for Saturday the 16th and playing in Danbury on Sunday the 17th. Attendance for tonight's game was 127.
Titans Drop Weekend Finale The Danbury Titans came into their Saturday night game against Danville having lost the night before in Brewster. Unfortunately, the woes continued for the Titans Saturday as they lost 4-2. The first period was scoreless with Danbury dominating the period and outshooting Danville 11-4. The Titans would finally break the ice just over halfway through the second period as Kory Helowka scored. With the second period ending 1-0 in favor of the Titans it was going to be a battle. Danville battled hard and scored three goals. Despite a late goal from Phil Bronner, another empty net goal sealed the fate of the Titans. Matt Anthony stopped 30 of 32 shots to get the victory. Mike Pearless stopped 19 of 21. The Titans next home game is Thursday January 14 at 7:35PM as the Titans host Danville again at Danbury. Tickets and information are available by calling 844-DTHOCKEY or visiting www.danburytitans.com.
Prowlers Advance Their Winning Streak to Four, Beating Dayton 4-2
(Port Huron, MI) The Dayton Demolition came to Port Huron looking for their first win against the Prowlers this season and their first win in 6 games. Louie George made 41 saves, but it comes in a losing effort as the Prowlers win this one thanks to two power play goals and get a 3-point win, 4-2.
Artem Pestriakov would break the ice two minutes and eight seconds into the game putting the Demolition up one. Ahmed Mahfouz took matters into his own hands trying to spark his team up, who looked a little rusty the first 10 minutes into the game. It was evident the Prowlers hadn't played in a week and the timing was right as Mahfouz's fight was enough to light fire under his team. The Prowlers answered with the equalizer off the stick of Mark Rivera who tied the game with 6 minutes left to go. All Knotted at 1, after 1.
2nd period Mark Rivera picked up right where he left off to put the Prowlers up 2-1. From the sticks of Jared Hicks and Scott Witmyer 36 seconds into the middle frame. Five minutes later Justin Alonzo would widen the gap on the power play for his 14th goal of the season. Dayton however wouldn't go quietly as Jesse Felton would cut the lead in half, finding twine. Cody Milligan and Brett Wall would get the assists on the Felton goal, but the Demolition would still be down by a goal after 2 periods.
Only one goal to report in the 3rd period it came off the stick of Roger Tagoona from Ahmed Mahfouz and Justin Alonzo again on the power play. It would be too much for the Demolition who wouldn't net a goal in the third period and their winless streak continues as they drop another game against Port Huron, 4-2. Andy DiChristofaro another great performance as he stopped all but two of Dayton's 36 attempts on the net giving him his 11th win of the season. The best player on the ice for the Demolition was without question Louie George as he made 41 saves on 45 Prowler shot attempts. The Prowlers this season against Dayton are 6-2-0-0. The victory gives the Prowlers their 4th win in a row and 11th win of their last 13. The Demolition however, are on the other side of the coin as they have now lost six in a row, and haven't received a point in the standings since Dec, 18th 2015 against the Berlin River Drivers.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2016
- FHL Connected: Game Recaps January 9, 2016 - FPHL
- Titans Drop Weekend Finale - Danbury Titans
- FHL Connected: Game Recaps January 8, 2016 - FPHL
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.
