FPHL Federal Prospects Hockey League

FHL Connected: Game Recaps March 26, 2016

March 27, 2016 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release


Bulldogs Stay Alive, Topple Titans 4-1

By Zak McGinniss

Danbury CT -- Jeromy Semtner stopped 25 of 26 shots and Dustin Jesseau scored the game winner on a short handed breakaway as the Brewster Bulldogs stayed alive in the playoff race by beating the Danbury Titans on the road. The Bulldogs came into the game needing to win out the rest of the season for any chance to make the playoffs in their inaugural season, and they took care of business.

Before the game, FHL executive John Landers presented end of season awards as voted on by the league. Danbury's John Scorcia was named rookie of the year, captain Dean Yakura was named forward of the year, and Tyler Gjurich was named MVP. Danbury head coach Phil Esposito was also recognized for his 150th win behind an FHL bench.

With no scoring in the first period, each team struggled to find the first goal of the game. It would eventually come minutes into the second as recently acquired Jay Croop would go behind the Danbury defense unnoticed and receive a tape to tape pass from his own zone from Nicolai Oklolbistyn. Croop, on the breakaway, was able to beat Danbury's Nick Niedert by sliding the puck around the goalie's outstretched leg and inside the post to give the Bulldogs a lead they would not relinquish. Justin Jesseau would make it 2-0 with a breakaway himself, this time short handed and giving Brewster all the momentum they would need. Brett Hope would add a power play goal towards the end of the period to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead going into the 3rd period.

Rookie goaltender Dylan Wells made his professional debut in relief of Niedert to begin the period, and was perfect in 19:38 of playing time. Phil Bronner would finally get Danbury on the board with a power play goal halfway through the period, but it would not be enough. The teams now head into the last weekend of the regular season with different, yet similar, goals in mind. For Danbury, they need 6 points in 3 games versus Berlin to clinch first place and home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. For Brewster, they must win all four games on the road against Port Huron, Dayton, and two against Danville to have a chance to squeak into the last seed for the postseason. The Bulldogs do not control their own destiny, and a single loss will eliminate them from the playoffs.

The Danbury Titans will be in action again Friday, April 1st, against the Berlin RiverDrivers. It will be the last home game in the regular season. Tickets are still available but selling fast, along with priority playoff packages. Call 844-DT-HOCKEY to secure yours today!

Junior Harris' 1st Goal as a Prowler, Wins it in Overtime

(Port Huron, MI) There's a reason why the Prowlers showed interest in Junior Harris at the trade deadline, and Harris himself showed tonight why. Harris netted the game winner 1:42 in the extra frame and the Prowlers take five of six points and are now tied with Danville for 2nd place in the F.H.L.

None of it would have mattered without Chris Leveille's hat trick night. Two of which he netted in the first period to erase Danville's two goal lead they acquired within the first two minutes of the first period.

Ryan Stouffer would get the Ice breaker 1:19 into the 1st period. A.J. Tesoriero and Brian Soskin would register assists. 29 seconds later Brad Denney made it 2-0 on the next shot registered.

Leveille would give his team a spark cutting the lead in half a couple minutes later, and with five minutes left to go in the period he would tie the game. Roger Tagoona, Matt Fuller and Scott Witmyer would combine for four assists on both Leveille goals. The period would end in a 2-2 tie.

The only goal of the second period would belong to Justin Alonzo. He would put the Prowlers up one going into the locker room, seven minutes into the middle frame. Matt Beer and Jared Hicks would assist on the goal and Andy DiCristofaro would stop all nine Dasher shot attempts.

Alonzo would return the favor on Jared Hicks' goal, 1:07 into the third, but their two goal lead quickly vanished. Gehrett Sargis would tie the game 29 seconds after Hicks's goal and a slashing call to Scott Witmyer would allow for a Ray Tremblay power play goal.

Justin Levac would net the only assist on both goals. Danville would snatch the lead back almost ten minutes later. Levac and Tremblay would help on the go ahead goal from Justin Brausen, with 7:34 left to go in the game. With six minutes left to go Chris Leveille would finish his hat trick night on the power play with Tagoona registering his 2nd assist of the night. We would head to overtime 5-5.

That set the stage for Junior Harris to score his first goal as a Prowler to win the game. Matt Anthony made 32 stops on 38 attempts. Andy DiCristofaro got his 24th win with 22 saves on 27 shots and that ties him now with Matt Anthony for most wins in the F.E.D.

Dayton Demolishes River Drivers, Inching Closer to a Playoff Spot

By River Drivers staff

The Dayton Demoltion route the Berlin Riverdrivers 10-3.

Berlin opened the game getting on the board first. At 2:36 of the first Chris Wilcox put the Riverdrivers up 1-0. It was short lived when at 4:51 Myles McCauley tied the game at 1 a piece. Dayton Took the lead at 13:42 on the powerplay when Martin Uhnak netted his first of the contest. Dayton would head to the locker room with a 2-1 lead.

The second period would be a goal scoring affair in favor of the Demolition. 3:22 into the second Jaques Lamoureaux. Dayton would make it 4-1 coming at 5:50 as Pattrick Harrison got the goal. Berlin would cut the lead to two at 10:12 on the powerplay as Wilcox would net his second goal of the game. Dayton would pop two more goals in as Michael Dolman scored at 10:53 and Cory Giroux scored at 12:52. The Riverdrivers would score one more in the second period at 16:29 by Pavel Kubena. Dayton would close out the second period adding one more to there total as Dolman would net his second goal of the game. Dayton would take a 7-3 lead over the Riverdrivers with 20 minutes left to play.

The third period would be quite here at the Notre Dame Arena. Dayton would add another three goals to their lead. At 3:02 Giroux would net his second. Then at 3:28 Lamoureaux score his second goal of the contest. Dayton would make it 10-3 at 13:21 as Uhnak would join some of his teammates with two of his own goals of the night. That would do it at the Notre Dame Arena as the Dayton Demoltion beat the Berlin Riverdrivers 10-3.

The Riverdrivers play next Friday April 3rd when they travel to Danbury, CT to take on the Danbury Titans. Game time is 7:30pm.

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