Hat Tricks Drop Season Opener to Prowlers, 3-1
Published on October 10, 2025 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Danbury Hat Tricks News Release
DANBURY - In a highly anticipated Opening Night matchup, the Port Huron Prowlers defeated the Danbury Hat Tricks 3-1 in the first meeting between the teams since the Ben Brockway "flag plant" incident at the end of Game 3 of last season's Empire Division semifinals.
Defenseman Alex Johnson led the way for Port Huron with two goals - the opening tally at 6:21 of the second period and the insurance marker at 11:42 of the third. Head coach and general manager Matt Graham scored the game-winner on the power play, slipping the puck under the pad of Hat Tricks goaltender Frankie McClendon midway through the third period.
Goaltender Reid Cooper was stellar in net for the Prowlers, stopping 47 of 48 shots for his first win of the season.
Danbury's lone goal came from alternate captain Josh Labelle, who snapped a power-play shot from the top of the blueline over Cooper's left shoulder to tie the game at 1-1. The goal came after Port Huron's Jamie Bucell was assessed a five-minute major for charging following a hit on Hat Tricks captain Jonny Ruiz, who left the game but did return.
Just two seconds into the contest, Danbury's Jesse Swanson and Port Huron's A.J. Schlepp dropped the gloves in response to Brockway's actions at the end of last year's playoff series. Later in the first period, the 6-foot-8 Swanson fought Brockway off a defensive-zone faceoff. Two additional fights followed - between Danbury's Josh Tomasi and Bucell at 8:27 of the second period, and between Port Huron's Brett Morich and Danbury's Justin Movalli later in the game.
The Hat Tricks and Prowlers meet again Saturday night at the Danbury Ice Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. as Danbury looks to split the opening-weekend series.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2025
- FPHL Ice Chips - Game Recaps - FPHL
- Johnson, Cooper Lead Prowlers to Opening Night Win - Port Huron Prowlers
- Hat Tricks Drop Season Opener to Prowlers, 3-1 - Danbury Hat Tricks
- Black Bears Edge Out the Wolves in SO - Binghamton Black Bears
- Game Preview: Hat Tricks vs. Port Huron Prowlers: October 10 - Danbury Hat Tricks
- Thunderbirds Acquire Jacob Crespo from Hat Tricks - Twin City Thunderbirds
- Prowlers Add 6'8" Forward - Port Huron Prowlers
- Thunderbirds Acquire Sergei Shcherbakov from Black Bears - Twin City Thunderbirds
- IceCats Box Office Opens at 2 PM - First 2,500 Fans Receive Commemorative Poker Chip Presented by Pepsi - Pee Dee IceCats
- Hat Tricks Announce 2025 Opening Night Roster - Danbury Hat Tricks
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