FHL Connected: Game Recaps March 12, 2016

Published on March 12, 2016 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

Brewster Scores Three In 3rd Period, Defeat Berlin 4-2

By: Tommy Pecoraro

Both teams came in playing their 3rd game in 3 nights, and starting to feel just a touch of fatigue as they hit the ice this Saturday night in Brewster. The River Drivers were coming off two losses, in Danbury and at home against Dayton, meanwhile the Bulldogs have been more successful, getting a point in an overtime loss on Thursday in Port Huron and following up with a 3 point winning victory in Port Huron on Friday. 9 points separated Berlin and Brewster in the standings, with the last playoff spot still up for grabs and a 3 team race, so much was at stake tonight. The Bulldogs played well and earned another 3 points to get back in the playoff hunt.

In the first period the Bulldogs dominated, outshooting the River Drivers by a heavy margin. Paul Bourbeau Jr. did his best to keep things close and make big saves. Brewster would strike first on the board, at the 10:18 mark after Dustin Jesseau forced a turnover in the Berlin zone and Nikolai Okhlobystin finished the play by crashing the net and putting the puck over the goal line to make it 1-0. The other big point in the period was a couple minutes later when Nathan Sheriff demolished River Driver Tom Tracy, who was tipping a puck ahead and forgot to keep his head up and got laid out by Sheriff. Steven Gallo quickly came over and engaged Sheriff in a quick yet intense battle of fists.

The 2nd period was by far Berlin's best frame of the game. Paul Bourbeau Jr. continued to make saves and prevent Brewster from increasing their lead. Finally after two delay of game penalties on Brewster, Berlin equalized on a 5 on 3 as Cameron Yarwood blasted one home to make it 1-1. Berlin continued to attack the Brewster end and would score on another penalty, from Brantley Sherwood to make it 2-1 Berlin. This would be Berlin's only lead of the game going into the 2nd intermission.

Brewster would rebound in period number 3, and only 3 minutes after puck drop, John Scully would finish a beautiful tic tac toe play from MJ Graham and Nikolai Okhlobystin to make it 2-2. It would be back and forth the next several minutes and both Bourbeau Jr and Jeromy Semtner made great saves to keep it tied, neither side wanting to give an inch in such a huge period of a huge game. The stalemate ended halfway through the period as Sean Maktaak's excellent forechecking led to an opportunity down low, and fed Alex Johnson, waiting at the door step to put the puck in the net and give the Bulldogs the lead once again. The lead would be extended at the 14:01 mark as Dustin Jesseau made a highlight reel play. After taking a hit, he grabbed the puck away from one Berlin player, deked around veteran Andre Niec before going in on goal and undressing Paul Bourbeau Jr for a gorgeous goal to make it 4-2. Berlin would be unable to battle back, taking 2 penalties in the final 6 minutes and unable to mount an offensive, and the Bulldogs would win 4-2

For Brewster, Nikolai Okhlobystin and Dustin Jesseau had a goal and assist, Alex Johnson and John Scully had a goal each, and Jeromy Semtner stopped 22 of 24 shots for the victory. For Berlin, Brantley Sherwood had a goal and assist, Cameron Yarwood had a goal, and Tom Tracy had 2 assists. Paul Bourbeau Jr stopped 29 of 33 shots for the loss.

The Bulldogs are home tomorrow night against the Dayton Demolition, who lost tonight in overtime 5-4 in Danbury. The Berlin River Drivers, meanwhile, will be in Danbury to take on the Titans. Both games will start at 5:05 pm. Attendance for tonight's game was 212.

Dashers Fall to Prowlers 7-4

The Port Huron Prowlers came into the David S. Palmer Arena on Saturday night and flat out outplayed the Danville Dashers on their way to a 7-4 win. Jared Hicks had a hat trick for Port Huron in route to their win. After the loss the Dashers now sit four points behind Danbury for first place in the FHL. The Dashers were led by Justin Levac who had three assists, and Justin Brausen who had two goals in the loss. Matt Anthony took the defeat for Danville, and Andy DiCristofaro got the win for Port Huron. These same two teams will play tomorrow night at 5:05 from the David S. Palmer Arena.

Danbury Wins In Overtime, Extends Streak to 7

By Zak McGinniss

DANBURY, CT -- John Scorcia would score twice, including the overtime winner, to help lead the Danbury Titans to a come from behind victory over the Dayton Demolition on Saturday night. Scorcia would add two assists as the Titans scored three times in the third period en route to their 8th overtime victory and 34th overall. Dayton's Myles McCauley had two goals in the losing effort.

Eric Witzel of Dayton would record the only goal of the first period, his first of the season, assisted by Robert Vanwysberghe and Jay Kenney. Witzel was in the right spot as he hit a bouncing puck out of midair and over the shoulder of Danbury's Alex Vazzano. The Demolition would go on to outshoot the Titans 13-12 in the period, while Danbury was unable to convert on two power play chances.

The Demolition would extend their lead in a second period that would only see them record 6 shots on goal. First, Martin Uhnak would score his team leading 26th of the season to make it 2-0. Myles McCauley would score on the power play minutes later to make extend the lead to 3, before John Scorcia was finally able to answer for the Titans. Scorcia's 18th of the year was assisted by Mike Driscoll and Frank Schumacher. Danbury's Anthony Pisano was lost for the game by way of a questionable instigator call halfway through the period after a fight with Brad Townsend in a scuffle that saw neither combatant land a solid punch. Dayton would take the 3-1 lead into the locker room for the second intermission.

Danbury would find themselves on the power play early in the third, and Ian Delong would redirect a Frank Schumacher shot from the point past a distracted Josselin St. Pierre to get the game within one. St. Pierre was distracted because his defenseman Brett Wall had been injured in front, but the Demolition could not get possession of the puck to force a whistle. Tyler Gjurich would score his league leading 46th of the season with under 10 minutes to go, giving the Titans their first lead of the game. Dayton's offense would then come back to life, and eventually Myles McCauley would tie it with a minute and a half left by ringing a slap shot off the post and behind Vazzano.

The teams would require overtime to settle things for the second time this season, and John Scorcia would score his second of the game, sneaking a shot through the legs of St Pierre to secure Danbury's 7th win in a row. The Titans would outshoot Dayton 54-33, and Vazzano would secure his second straight victory. The Titans will be in action again tomorrow night, hosting the Berlin RiverDrivers with a 5:05pm faceoff. Fans in attendance will be invited to skate with the team at the conclusion of the game. For tickets and more information, contact the Titans by calling 844-DT-HOCKEY.

Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2016

• Danbury Wins in Overtime, Extends Streak to 7 - Danbury Titans
• FHL Connected: Game Recaps March 12, 2016 - FPHL
• Steve Brown Called up to Manchester - Danbury Titans

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