FHL Connected: Game Recaps October 29th, 2016
Published on October 29, 2016 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Twin City Thunderbirds News Release
The Berlin RiverDrivers held off the Danville Dashers in their home opener by a score 4-3.
Danville got the early edge at 18:30 of the first period when Brad Denny found the back of the net from the point (assisted by Eric Witzel and Garhett Sargis.
Berlin would even the score at 5:01 of the second period coming off the stick of Lester Brown (Artur Drindrozhik.) The Dashers would extend their lead by two in the rest of the second period. At 9:27 of the second Eric Witzel would get his first of the game assisted by Sargis and Cole. Then a mere two minutes later at 11:17 of the second, Danville would capitalize on a three on one as Witzel would get his second of the game assisted by Sargis and Nathan Sherriff. Berlin would cut the lead to one at 13:52 of the second period, Pavel Kubena would pop one home as former Air Force teammates Cole Gunner and Scott Holm would get assist on the play. After two periods of play Danville would take a one goal lead.
The RiverDrivers tied the game up at 1:38 of the third period. Jiri Pestuka found the back of the net coming from Drindrozhik and Brown. Berlin would take the lead at 5:39 of the third period as John Celli buried a pass from Gunner. Berlin held on for the rest of the third period earning their first win of the season.
The RiverDrivers travel to Danbury on all Hallows eve for a 5:05pm start as they look for back to back wins.
The Pack is Back! Wolves Rally to a 5-1 Win Over Danbury
After a narrow loss to the Danville Dashers last night, the Watertown Wolves looked to turn things around against Coach Phil Esposito's former team the Danbury Titans at the Watertown Municipal Ice Arena.
The Wolves stood their ground on Danbury's first power play, and came back at even strength with a goal from Jeremy Akeson on assists from Dustin Jesseau and Austin Daae. Their momentum continued with a goal from veteran Matt Caranci assisted by John Schiavo and Michael Beranek. With just 27 seconds left in the period, Danbury would narrow the lead with Dalton Jay's goal assisted by Matt Coleman to end the period with a score of 2-1 Watertown.
The Wolves would regain a two-goal lead in the second period when Kyle Powell puts one in the back of the net after some assistance from Dustin Jesseau and Dmitri Parakhonko.
The Pack would not let up in the third period. John Schiavo passes the puck to Jesse Facchini to make the score 4-1 only a minute and a half into the period. The fourth goal prompted a change in net minder for the Titans, replacing Nikita Iandlkov with Bobby Bowden. The Wolves continued to build their lead when Dustin Jesseau lopped one in with assists from John Schiavo and Jeremy Akeson on a power play. The final score of the game Watertown 5, Danbury 1. 3 Stars of the game went to John Schiavo, Dustin Jesseau, and Dalton Jay. The Wolves are back in action on Friday, November 4th against the Port Huron Prowlers at the Watertown Municipal Ice Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 pm.
Prowlers Open Season With Thrilling Win Over Fighting Saints
Port Huron, MI - The defending champion Port Huron Prowlers were put to the test by the upstart St. Clair Shores Fighting Saints on Saturday night at McMorran Arena. Matt Beer scored three of the Prowlers four goals in an epic eleven round shootout, that ended in a 3-2 Prowlers victory.
The Fighting Saints came out strong in the opening period and jumped on top, when David Vondracek scored on a wrister from the right face off circle at 17:12, netting the first goal in franchise history for St. Clair Shores. Michael Lipari earned an assist on the play. Port Huron was out shot in the opening frame 12-5, but stayed close thanks to several acrobatic saves by Josselin St. Pierre.
Zach Zulkanycz added to the Fighting Saints lead at 14:47 of the second, when he walked between the circles and beat St. Pierre on the stick side, with assists from Lipari and Mike Baker, making it a 2-0 score for the visitors. The Prowlers responded just 1:26 later on a goal by Shea Carey. Carey pounced on a loose puck in the crease, after Fighting Saints keeper Andy DiCristofaro stopped the Prowlers Zach Tatrn in tight. The goal at 16:13 brought the score to 2-1 for the Saints after two periods. Each club rifled 10 shots in the period.
Despite being out shot in the third 12-9, Port Huron managed the lone goal of the frame on a beautiful set up by Ahmed Mahfouz, who found a wide open Scott Witmyer coming down the slot. Witmayer made no mistake in blasting home the tying goal, which would eventually force the game into overtime tied at 2-2.
The five minute three on three period started slowly, but both teams ramped up the action in the final minutes of the extra session, however, chances for both sides lead to no further scoring, and the contest went to a shootout.
The shootout lasted eleven rounds, and saw 22 shooters face the goalies. After the Prowlers Josselin St. Pierre, and the Fighting Saints Andy DiCristofaro matched saves for the first three rounds, the sides traded goals during the fourth frame. Stepan Stepanek tallied for the road team, and Matt Beer whistled home a bullet wrist shot for the home side. Both teams missed in round five, forcing extra rounds with the score even at 1-1. In rounds six and seven, Johnathon Juliano and Stepanek each scored for the Saints, while Beer and JC Houde responded for Port Huron, keeping things level. The goalies took over for the next three rounds, stopping three shooters each. Finally in the eleventh round, St. Pierre stymied Juan Munoz of the Fighting Saints, giving Beer the chance to score for a third time in the shootout, which he did to win the game!
What is sure to be an exciting rematch between the teams is on the schedule for Sunday at the Civic Arena in St. Clair Shores. Puck drops at 5 PM.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2016
- FHL Connected: Game Recaps October 29th, 2016 - Twin City Thunderbirds
- Danbury Rallies for Overtime Win in Home Opener - Danbury Titans
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