FHL Connected: Game Recaps March 11, 2016
Published on March 11, 2016 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Danbury Fends Off RiverDrivers 4-3
By Zak McGinniss
DANBURY, CT -- Mike Henderson scored twice and Anthony Pisano added one of his own to lead the Danbury Titans to a 4-3 victory over the Berlin RiverDrivers Thursday night. Alex Vazzano recorded his 7th win of the year, while Berlin's Ryan Donovan made 52 saves in the losing effort.
More new faces for the Titans made their debut in front of the home crowd, though for some it was more of a homecoming. Anthony Pisano and Ian Delong were both acquired by the Titans earlier in the week; Pisano was signed from Manchester of the ECHL, while Delong was acquired from Brewster in exchange for Breton Lindoff and Kory Helowka. Also making their FHL debut were Martin Tuma and Razmuz Waxin-Engback. Tuma, a defenseman, was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, while Waxin-Engback returned to North America after playing for Vallentuna BK of Sweden's Division 1.
Mike Henderson would record the only goal of the first period at the 15:45 mark, assisted by Dean Yakura and Jarrett Rush. Berlin would jump out to an early 4-1 advantage in shots before Danbury would prevent Berlin from recording a shot on goal after the ten minute mark. The Titans outshot the RiverDrivers 18-5.
Pisano would make his presence felt in a different way as he scored his first goal since the 2011-12 season with the Danbury Whalers on their championship run. The wrist shot was wired from his stick and past the glove of a screened Ryan Donovon. Jason Berube and Kyle Powell would get the assists, and it was Powell's first professional point. Tyler Gjurich would extend his 18 game scoring streak with a goal less than 3 minutes later. For Gjurich, it gives him points in 19 straight games, tying a season high streak shared with linemate John Scorcia. Gjurich also continues to lead all FHL players in scoring, now with 45 on the season.
Berlin would come back to make things interesting in the third. Jiri Pestuka stripped Brett Liscomb at his own blue line and rang a shot off the crossbar and in to spoil Vazzano's hope for a shutout. Henderson would score his second of the game to make it 4-2, but the RiverDrivers were able to respond again. First, Cameron Yarwood would find the net, and then recently acquired Marcus Mitchell would pull Berlin within one. The comeback was not to be, in spite of a power play Berlin had to end the game.
With the victory, the Danbury Titans move into sole possession of first place, ahead of the idle Danville Dashers. The Titans will be in action again Saturday, March 12th, hosting the Dayton Demolition. For tickets and more information, contact the Danbury Titans by calling 844-DT-HOCKEY.
Give Them More Beer!
By DJ Palm
(Port Huron, MI) Matt Beer would play hero twice as he would record the game tying goal and game winning goal to give the Prowlers a 3-2 overtime victory.
1st period was a bit even, until Brewster would net the first goal as it came off the stick of Alex Johnson on the power play, assisted from Brett Hope and John Sculley. Two minutes later the Prowlers would get the equalizer. Dustin Skinner would tie the game on the power play in his first home game back from the S.P.H.L. Justin Alonzo and Matt Beer would register assists on the Skinner goal. That's how the first period would end, a 1-1 tie after the first frame.
2nd period no goals to report. However a stellar goaltending battle between James Robbins and Andy DI'Cristofaro was just as fun to watch. James Robbins would commit highway robbery after Matt Fuller received a pass across the slot from Justin Alonzo coming out of the penalty box on a 3 on 1. Fuller would put it toward the net but James Robbins would make a cross-crease save to keep it a 1-1 hockey game. DI'Cristofaro would be stellar in net as well as he would stop all 14 Brewster attempts at the net, in the 2nd period, including one on the power play with ten seconds left to go as he robbed Brett Hope of his first goal of the game as time expired in the 2nd period. After two frames we would still be tied at 1.
Third period was much of the same until the Bulldogs would get the go ahead goal with 3:51 left to go in the final frame. Sean Maaktak would put the Bulldogs four minutes away from a three point victory. The Prowlers however wouldn't die. With 28 seconds left to go and the goalie pulled Matt Beer in his first game back in a Prowlers uniform would record the game tying goal from Dustin Skinner and Matt Fuller, we would head into overtime.
In overtime, Roger Tagoona would make the play of the game as a puck that got past DiCristofaro's glove hit Tagoona right in the chest to stay out of the net and keep his team alive it would prove to be a vital play Matt Beer would score the game winner with ten seconds left to go until shootout spoiling a very active 38 save night for James Robbins. A weak backhand shot left the stick of Beer that found its way past Robbins for the game winner and a two point victory. Andy Dicristofaro would make 33 saves on 35 Bulldog shot attempts in his first game back from the S.P.H.L. These two teams will square off again tomorrow at Mcmorran Arena in Port Huron. Puck scheduled to drop at 7:30.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2016
- Oliver's Late PP Goal Helps Edge Port Huron 7-6 - Port Huron Prowlers
- River Drivers' Late Rally Comes up Short Fall - Berlin River Drivers
- River Drivers' Late Rally Comes Up Short Fall to Demolition, 4-3 - Dayton Demolition
- FHL Connected: Game Recaps March 11, 2016 - FPHL
- FHL Connected: Game Recaps March 11, 2016 - FPHL
- Give Them More Beer - Port Huron Prowlers
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