FHL Game Recaps

Published on March 13, 2016 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

Dayton Comes From Behind, Win 5-4 Over Brewster

By: Tommy Pecoraro

Both the Bulldogs and Demolition came into this game feeling the effects of a long weekend, Brewster splitting 2 games in Port Huron before coming back and winning at home against Berlin, meanwhile the Demolition won in Berlin before falling in overtime in Danbury last night. Both teams were tied in points with 46 yet Dayton held the standings lead due to having 2 games at hand and therefore a higher point percentage. The distance between them and 4th place Berlin was only 6 points, making the final playoff spot far from locked in. As a result, tonight had the feel of a playoff contest.

In the 1st period Brewster would score first, on the power play from Jan Salak at 3:55. The lead would not last long, and also on the power play, Mike Dolman would even things up not even 3 minutes later. Brewster, however, would take the lead into the 1st intermission, as Nikolai Okhlobystin would find the back of the net 7:35 remaining to make it 2-1.

In period 2, Dayton would come back and score the lone goal of the period as Myles McCauley, who has been especially effective against Brewster this season, scored on the power play to make it 2-2. Robbins and St. Pierre would have their best period as they made saves on both sides to keep it tied for the remainder of the period.

The 3rd period was a see-saw battle the entire 20 minutes. Brewster would take a 3-2 lead off a power play goal by John Scully before losing the lead again on a blast by Cory Giroux at the 8:18 mark. Now at 3-3, Brewster would score yet another power play goal (There were a lot of power play goals tonight) as Easton Oliver would score on the rebound on a backhand shot to give Brewster the lead. After the goal, Jo St. Pierre would give a slash to Jan Salak as he skated by, not as bad as Jamie McLennan's on Johan Franzen years ago, but still a pretty good shot. With 5:08 to go Dayton would score, yes, ANOTHER power play goal, from Jacques Lamoreaux. A minute and a half later, however, the game would be decided on a goal by Myles McCauley after the net had come well off the moorings, the goal would stand and Dayton had their first lead of the night. Brewster would be handed 2 additional penalties in the final few minutes, preventing an offensive from being mounted and Dayton would skate off with 3 big points. Berlin leads Dayton by .014% and Brewster by .051%, however the final playoff spot is still very much up for grabs.

For Brewster, Jan Salak and Nikolai Okhlobystin had a goal and 2 assists each, John Scully and Easton Oliver had a goal each, and MJ Graham had 2 assists. James Robbins stopped 28 of 33 shots for the loss. For Dayton, Myles McCauley had 2 goals, Cory Giroux had a goal and 2 assists, Mike Dolman had a goal and assist, Jacques Lamoreaux had a goal, Robert Vanwynsberghe had 3 assists and Martin Uhnak had 2 assists. Jo St. Pierre stopped 37 of 41 shots for the victory.

Next weekend, the Bulldogs have 3 games, playing at home on Thursday, March 17th against Berlin, then face off against the Port Huron Prowlers on Friday the 18th before hitting the road and visiting the Berlin River Drivers at Notre Dame Arena on Saturday the 19th. Dayton, meanwhile, has 4 games in 4 days. They start off on Thursday the 17th in Port Huron before returning to Hara Arena to take on the Danville Dashers on Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th. They finish their weekend on Sunday the 20th with a game against the Danbury Titans. Attendance for tonight's matchup at Brewster Arena was 204.

Danbury Stretches Winning Streak to 8 with Another Win Over Berlin

By Zak McGinniss

DANBURY, CT -- The Danbury Titans would score 5 times in the second period, including 3 goals in 38 seconds, to defeat the Berlin RiverDrivers 8-2 on Sunday afternoon. It is the Titans 4th victory over the RiverDrivers in the past 8 days. Brett Liscomb scored twice on the way to securing first star of the game honors, and Nikita Ivandikov remained perfect in North America with his 4th win in as many games.

Liscomb would score Danbury's first of the game, assisted by Ian Delong and Phil Bronner. Mike Henderson would continue his point streak with his 15th of the season with 4 to go in the period. Henderson now has points in every game he has played for the Titans since being acquired via trade, 6 games total. Pavel Kubena would get Berlin on the board with a minute and a half left in the period, sniping the top corner over the shoulder of Ivandikov. Berlin would outshoot the Titans 17-11 to go into the first intermission down 2-1.

Starting goaltender Ryan Donovan was surprisingly replaced for the balance of the game by Paul Bourbeau Jr, and the Titans looked to take advantage of a cold goaltender early. It took 8 minutes, but Liscomb would score what proved to be the game winner and restore the two goal lead for Danbury. Minutes later, Ian Delong would make it 4-1, and that set the stage for the floodgates to open. Mike Driscoll, Tyler Gjurich, and Mike Henderson would each score in a span of 38 seconds, putting the game far out of reach of the RiverDrivers. It is the fastest 3 goal span in Titans history, and it ended the period with a 7-1 Danbury.

Berlin's Marcus Mitchell would get the RiverDrivers back on the board with a goal just 1:30 into the period, but it would be the last conceded by Ivandikov. Bronner would add an insurance marker with under two minutes to go, and the Danbury Titans would extend their lead for first place in the Federal Hockey League. Danbury now moves 7 points ahead of the Danville Dashers, who lost 1-0 to the Dayton Demolition at home. The Titans and RiverDrivers will face off once again Friday, March 18th, with a 7:35pm faceoff. For tickets and more information, call 844-DT-HOCKEY.

DiCristofaro Pitches a Shutout Against Dashers

Andy DiCristofaro was unbeatable on Sunday at the David S. Palmer Arena, stopping all 46 shots he saw in a 1-0 victory for Port Huron. The loan goal in the contest came early in the second period when Jason Pietrasiak tapped in a rebound that was kicked his way by Dashers goalie Dalton McGrath. Roger Tagoona assisted on the goal. Danville had some opportunities in the game, but just couldn't capitalize, or they were denied by DiCristofaro. The Dashers will be on the road the next two weekends, until they return home against Brewster for two games on April 1st and 2nd.

Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2016

• Danbury Stretches Winning Streak to Eight with Another Win over Berlin - Danbury Titans
• FHL Game Recaps - FPHL

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