FHL Game Recaps

January 17, 2016 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

Titans Sink RiverDrivers, Win 4-3

By Zak McGinniss

DANBURY, CT -- Finishing a stretch of four games in four nights, the Danbury Titans hosted the Berlin RiverDrivers on a snowy Sunday afternoon. The two teams met on Friday night in Berlin, New Hampshire, in a game that saw the Titans skate away with a 9-5 victory. Playing short 3 players due to injuries and a suspension to Jarrett Rush, the Titans had to dig deep, but managed to complete their weekend with another win by a score of 4-3.

Mike Driscoll started things quickly for the Titans, scoring just 57 seconds into the game for his 7th of the season, assisted by Bryan Dallaire and Dean Yakura. Worrisome for the Titans, they were stymied on a 5 on 3 power play and worse, surrendered a short handed goal to Tyler Prendergast at 8:33. Jiri Pastuka and Rich Ledy had the assists to tie the game and give Berlin momentum. The teams continued to trade chances until Berlin's Steve Gallo scored with a shot from the point past a screened Austin Lefkowitz. The period would end with Berlin holding a 2-1 lead despite being outshot 17-13.

Danbury defenseman Bryan Dallaire would strike for the Titans less than 2 minutes into the second period, completing a pass from John Scorcia. Dean Yakura secured the secondary assist to tie things up at 2. Danbury would gain the lead with Brett Liscomb's power play goal at the 8:18 mark, with assists from John Scorcia and Kory Helowka. Tyler Prendergast would score his second of the game over a minute later, and the game was once again even. Zach Tatrn potted the game winning goal two minutes after that, using his strength in the slot to fend off two Berlin defensemen and send a rebound past the outstretched leg of Valary Pronin.

For the Titans, they wrap up the weekend after securing 11 of a possible 12 points and flying high with a 4 game winning streak. The Titans will now have 5 days to rest before taking a short trip down Interstate 84 to face the rival Brewster Bulldogs for the 11th time this season on Friday night, with a 7:35pm at the Brewster Ice Arena. Danbury will play at home the following night, January 23rd, hosting the Port Huron Prowlers. If the Titans continue their winning streak, the Titans can jump over the Prowlers into sole possession of second place in the league standings. For tickets and more information, contact the Danbury Titans by calling 1-844-DT-HOCKEY.

Bulldogs Upset First Place Dashers, Win 6-5 In Shootout

By: Tommy Pecoraro

The Bulldogs had revenge in mind after so narrowly losing to Danville on Friday night, and losing all 3 previous meetings against the Dashers. Danville had the extra benefit of having a day off between games and came into tonight's matchup with fresh legs and a chance to make it 4 consecutive wins against Brewster. The Bulldogs would battle throughout the night, and ultimately, it would come to a shootout to decide the winner, and the Bulldogs would take 2 wins and the victory against the FHL's top team halfway through the season, and the Bulldogs get ever closer to 4th place and the Berlin River Drivers.

Through an even 1st period, the score remained 0-0 through a majority of the period. It took minute 15 for a goal to be scored, as Justin Brausen took advantage of a turnover to make it 1-0. The Bulldogs were quick to respond, with a power play and a goal from Zach Hale that beat Matt Anthony clean. In the 2nd period goals would be plentiful, the Dashers scored two goals in quick succession, 19 seconds apart from Justin Levac and Andrew Harrison to take a 3-1 lead. The Bulldogs, who were in this position last night in Danbury, came back once again, as John Scully scored on a funny bounce in the Danville crease, and then with 7 minutes left, MJ Graham tied the game up. The even score didnt last long, as the Bulldogs got a power play 2 minutes later, yet it was Danville who scored, courtesy of an Andrew Harrison shorthanded goal. The Bulldogs, down again, responded 1:05 later, and on the same power play, Nikolai Okhlobystin scored to tie the game at 4-4. Then, before the period could come to an end, Tristan Lysko's shot from the point was deflected in by John Scully with 1 minute to go in the period, giving Brewster their first lead of the night. The Dashers would be prepared to battle in the 3rd period, and less than 3 minutes in, Andrew Harrison finished off the hat trick and tied the game 5-5. Through multiple power plays and major opportunities, the game remained tied. A late Danville power play that trickled into OT couldnt solve the game either. It took a shootout to decide the game. Janis Berzins scored the first goal in Round 2 to give the Bulldogs the lead before Gehrett Sargis tied it back up in the 4th round. In round 5, Justin Levac failed to score and with an opportunity to win, Janis Berzins was picked to shoot. He would skate down and score to win the game for the Bulldogs and give Brewster their first shootout win in team history, with a final score of 6-5.

For Brewster, John Scully had two goals, Nikolai Okhlobystin and MJ Graham had a goal and 2 assists each, Zach Hale had a goal and assist, Tristan Lysko had 2 assists, and Janis Berzins had an assist plus 2 shootout goals. Jeromy Semtner stopped 32 of 37 shots and 4 of 5 shootout attempts for the victory. For Danville, Andrew Harrison had 3 goals, Justin Levac had a goal and 3 assists, Justin Brausen had a goal and assist, Gehrett Sargis had 2 assists and a shootout goal, and Brad Denney had 2 assists. Matt Anthony stopped 29 of 34 shots and 3 of 5 shootout attempts for the shootout loss.

The Bulldogs return to action on Friday to take on the Danbury Titans, who defeated Berlin tonight 4-3. The Bulldogs then travel to Berlin to take on the River Drivers on Saturday, with a chance to take 4th place away from Berlin. The Dashers, meanwhile, play in Dayton, who lost both games this weekend in Port Huron, on Thursday, followed by 2 days off before playing once again in Dayton on Sunday. Attendance for tonight's game at the Brewster Ice Arena was 117.

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Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2016

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FHL Terminates Dayton Membership, Team to Continue Under New Ownership - Dayton Demolition
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