FPHL Federal Prospects Hockey League

FHL Connected: Game Recaps March 5, 2016

March 5, 2016 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release


Bulldogs Battle To Overtime, Win 4-3

By: Tommy Pecoraro

Tonight was military appreciation night, and as the weather continues to warm, the battles for the last playoff spots heat up. The Bulldogs, suffering a 5 game losing streak, took on the Dashers, who on the flip side have won 5 of their past 6 games. There were only 2 penalties and as a result the game had a sense of free flowing to it, with back and forth action all night long and the goals came in similar fashion, ultimately with the Bulldogs coming up victorious on Military Appreciation Night in overtime, 4-3.

The 1st period started slow, as both sides tested the waters see what the other side brought to the ice. Both goaltenders made solid saves to get warmed up and kept things close in the opening frame. The first goal of the contest would come at the 5:09 mark and it would be for the Dashers, as Derrick Schwartz put in a shot off the glove of James Robbins and into the back of the net to make it 1-0. The score remained 1-0 for the rest of the 1st period.

The Bulldogs would get the ball rolling in the 2nd period. There's a new Sheriff in town, Nathan Sheriff to be exact. His goal at the 3:51 mark would tie things up at 1-1. Shortly after, at 11:38, the Bulldogs would equalize on one of two power plays in the game, and Nikolai Okhlobystin would make it 2-1. The Dashers, however, were not willing to call it quits. With 1:21 to go in the period, Justin Levac would score to make it 2-2.

Levac would come through yet again in the 3rd period with another goal, however this one would be a lot stranger than most. Levac dumped the puck into the Brewster zone along the boards near the Bulldogs bench, and the puck ricocheted into the net as James Robbins thought the puck was going behind the net, shades of Johan Hedberg in the 2007 NHL playoffs (A little hockey trivia for ya). The Bulldogs would not fold however, and Ian Delong would respond for Brewster with a goal 3 minutes later, completely embarrassing Oleh Shypytsin. With the score tied through 3 periods, the two teams went to overtime, and it only took 1:08 for Nikolai Okhlobystin to bury a shot off a faceoff win by MJ Graham to beat Dalton McGrath for the victory.

For the Brewster Bulldogs, Nikolai Okhlobystin had 2 goals and 2 assists, Ian DeLong and Nathan Sheriff added a goal each, and MJ Graham had 3 assists. James Robbins stopped 29 of 32 shots for the overtime win. For the Dashers, Justin Levac had 2 goals and Derrick Schwartz had the other goal. Dalton McGrath stopped 43 of 47 shots for the OT loss.

The Bulldogs have 4 games in 4 days next weekend, in Port Huron Thursday and Friday, before returning home on Saturday to take on Berlin and then on Sunday against Dayton. The Dashers meanwhile only have 2 games, both at home against Port Huron on Saturday and Sunday. Attendance for tonight's game was 318.

Demolition Dominate Port Huron 5-1

By Lee W. Mowen

DAYTON, OHIO- The Dayton Demolition came, saw, and dominated a spectacular Saturday performance of Port Huron in a 5-1 home victory. Jo St. Pierre, coming off his first OT loss of the season, shut down the potent Prowler offense with a 28 save performance and his third win of the year. Martin Uhnak and Michael Dolman provide the offensive party against Dan McWhinney tonight.

In the first, Dayton jumps on top at the 2:36 mark, with Dolman's first of the night crashing past the Port Huron keeper. With Jesse Felten's quick moves around the Port Huron defense, he found Dolman quickly to give Dayton a quick 1-0 lead. Dolman helped out six minutes later, this time on a crisp pass to one Martin Uhnak. Cory Giroux's first assist on the night also found the twist and tangle of Uhnak's first blast. Dayton found themselves up 2-0 and dominating the possession game before the Prowlers got their only goal of the game. At 13:01, it was Julian Fraser scoring for the second time this weekend from the near point from Jared Hicks' feed.

With a 2-1 lead after the first, Dayton came back out with force and scoring the only goal of the second with Michael Dolman's second. Myles McCauley connected with Brad Townsend on the final relay to Dolman, who scored his 18th of the season in the far faceoff circle and gave Dayton a 3-1 lead. Port Huron did have a great opportunity with a 1:30 of a 5-on-3 Power Play, but the Wrecking Crew were quite up to the task of keeping the Prowlers at bay.

In the 3rd Period, Martin Uhnak completed the hat trick with goals at the 4:15 and the 15:18 marks. With Uhnak's second goal, Robert Vanwynsberghe worked the opposite wing against Matt Fuller. With Jo St. Pierre lacing the puck up to an open neutral zone, Vanwynsberghe and Uhnak continued to force McWhinney's side, and Uhnak had the final say on Dayton's fourth goal on the night. With the final offensive piece of the night, Uhnak finished a loose bouncing puck past an outstretched McWhinney from Cory Giroux's attempt and Brian Marks send to put the score to 5-1. Things got heated in the last minute, but the Dayton Demolition stomped the door on the Prowlers with the first home win of the series.

Dayton's win bumps up the record to 14-24-4 on the year, whereas Port Huron fell to 26-14-1. Port Huron also suffered their 10th road loss and the second of the series with the Demolition. Jo St. Pierre improved to 3-4-1 after ten games, with Dan McWhinney falling to 4-4-1 in his ninth game.

St. Pierre was awarded the third star with one assist, 28 saves, and the win. Dolman won the 2nd star with a two goal, one assist night. Martin Uhnak took the top star with three goals on the season, giving him 24 on the year.

Dayton now heads to the Northeast to tangle with Berlin, Danbury, and Brewster before returning home on March 18th against the Danville Dashers. For tickets and broadcasting info, visit demolitionhockey.com.

Danbury Rallies Late to Victory

Supplied by Riverdrivers staff

A late surge by the Danbury Titans lifts them past the Berlin Riverdrivers. It was a relatively quite game here at the Notre Dame Arena.

The first period went to the Titans as Tyler Gjurich gave the visiting team the 1-0 lead coming at 17:48. John Scorcia and Dean Yakura got credit with assists. The second period went to the Riverdrivers. A delay of game penalty went to the Titans at 10:06 to net minder Nikita Ivandikov giving Berlin the powerplay. At 10:12 Berlin capitalized on the powerplay when David Brancik buried a one timer tying the game at 1 a piece. (Tom Tracy and Tyler Prendergast with assists. Then with 2.4 seconds remaining in the second period Tom Tracy shelf-ed under the bar giving the Riverdrivers a 2-1 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of play. Danbury would bounce back and control the third as penalties to the home team would prove costly. At 3:23 of the third Titan's Tyler Gjurich would score on the powerplay making it a 2-2 game. It was quite until the last three minutes of play where Titan's Mike Henderson would score 2 goals just 44 seconds apart. His first goal coming at 17:00 of the third on the powerplay would prove to be the eventual game winner. Henderson would extend the Danbury lead at 17:44 on a wrap a round and would skate away with the 4-2 victory.

The Riverdrivers look to bounce back when they head to Danbury for a rematch on Sunday. Game time is 5:05pm.

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