Ice Chips
Published on February 10, 2012 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Outlaws Gun Down the Bluefins 10-2
Hyannis, MA - The first place New Jersey Outlaws made their 2nd trip to Hyannis in as many weeks and they were cocked and loaded for their matchup against Cape Cod's Bluefins. Having just acquired Jeff Winchester - one of the Federal Hockey League's best players - from the 1000 Island Privateers, they were ready to show the Cape the reason for their place at the top of the standings.
It didn't take long for the visitors to light the lamp when, at 1:09 of the first period Trevor Karasiewicz one timed a pass from Dan McWhinney low to the stick side of Bluefin goalie Wes Vesprini to make it 1-0. At the 14:09 mark the Outlaws again found the back of the net. This time it was on the power play as Anthony Battaglia fired another low slapper which from the left of Vesprini which the rookie goaltender could not get a pad on. Battaglia's 12th goal of the season was assisted by Travis Kauffeldt and Lawne Snyder.
At 18:27 of the first, the Fins finally drew blood as they scored on a power play of their own. Todd Chinova - a mid-season pick up from Danbury lifted a nifty wrist shot over the shoulder of Jersey goalie Adam Dekker, off the crossbar and into the net. Chinova's 5th goal as a Bluefin was assisted by player/coach Dan Gordon and Brad Surdam. The Bluefins were 1 for 3 on the power play in the first period and outshot the Outlaws 13-8.
The second period remained scoreless until the 17:38 mark when Jamie Zaleski made it 3-1. After that, the wheels seemed to fall off of the Bluefins' wagon as New Jersey scored 3 more times in a span of 4 minutes. Goals from the sticks of Kevin Cooper, Travis Kauffeldt and Jason Reese made it 6-1 and with each one the home town crowd grew increasingly quiet. They became lively again when, at 19:52 of the period Cape Cod made it 6-2 when local player Andrew Hutton scored on a low snap shot that Dekker couldn't save. The goal came on the power play for the second time of the evening and was assisted by Dan Gordon and Stephen Kelley. After 2 periods, total shots were 24 - 18 in favor of the Bluefins.
Bluefins Coach, Mike Nugnes took the second intermission to try and rally his troops and they seemed to respond at the outset of the period pressuring the New Jersey goal relentlessly. He also tried to shake things up a bit by replacing Vesprini with backup goalie, Tyler O'Brien. O'Brien made a few spectacular saves as he did his best to keep the Outlaw lead at 4. However at 7:20, Kauffeldt made it 7-2 as he showed why he is amongst the top scorers in the FHL by netting his 34th goal of the season. The Outlaws didn't stop there as Reece scored his second of the game and Winchester his first as an Outlaw. It was now 9-2 and the bleeding did not slow as the visitors added one more for good measure making it a final of 10-2. Final shots were 37-30. Again, the Fins out shot their opponents which seems to be a common occurrence.
Including tonight's loss, the Bluefins play 7 games in 9 nights including 3 times vs the Outlaws. In fact, they have to face New Jersey 5 more times this season, including tomorrow night (2/11) and Tuesday (2/14) both in New Jersey. Let's hope that St. Valentine shows them some love.
The Bluefins next home game is on Wednesday February 15th vs the Akwesasne Warriors at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center. Game time is at 7:05pm and great tickets are available prior to the game or by visiting www.capecodbluefins.com.
--------------------
Reunited, and It Feels So Good: Returning Whalers Lead Team to 3-1 Win over Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, NY - The Danbury Whalers welcomed back three key skaters for the stretch run with a 3-1 victory over the Brooklyn Aviators tonight at the Aviator Arena. The victory helped close the gap between the two teams in the standings with 10 games to go for Danbury. Defenseman Stephen Mallaro and forward Alec Kirschner each made it on the scorecard, while former Danbury Trasher Alex Goupil impressed in his first game in Whalers green and white.
Danbury started the scoring in the first period as Jay Meloff threw the puck in front and Matt Caranci hacked it home for his ninth goal of the season at 8:53. The Whalers kept it a 1-0 game with strong skating until Alec Kirschner tapped home a James Sanford rebound on the power play at 11:45 of the second period. Kirschner's goal was his team-leading 23rd of the campaign. Andrew Willock made it 3-0 in the third period for his second of the year since returning to Danbury. Devin Guy and Stephen Mallaro earned the helpers. Jason Dolgy scored for Brooklyn with 2:29 to go to cost Vetri the shutout. Other than that, it was a spectacular night for Vetri, who stopped 42 of 43 shots for the victory. Josselin St. Pierre took the loss with 19 saves on 22 shots. The win started a key three-games-in-three-nights stretch successfully.
Danbury returns to the Ice Arena on Saturday, February 11th to host 1000 Islands, as former Trasher Alex Goupil makes his debut with the Whalers against the team he captained last season. Tickets are available for this week and all upcoming Whalers games. Get your tickets by visiting thedanburywhalers.com or by calling 973-713-7547.
-------------------
Vetri Fustrates A's in Whalers Win
BROOKLYN, New York - The Brooklyn Aviators had their three-game winning streak snapped on Friday night as they dropped the contest 3-1 to the Danbury Whalers at the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Federal Hockey League action.
Whalers' goaltender Peter Vetri stopped all but one shot he faced to lead Danbury over Brooklyn for the fourth time this season.
Danbury jumped out to the 1-0 lead after the first period of play on Matt Caranci's ninth goal of the season. Linemate Jay Meloff fed Caranci behind the net with the puck, which Caranci then slipped under the left pad of A's netminder Jo St. Pierre at the 8:53 mark for the one goal edge.
Alec Kirschner would tally the only goal in the second frame to give the Whalers a 2-0 lead after two frames of play. With Danbury on the power play, James Sanford fed a streaking Kirschner backdoor with a pass. Kirschner then deflected the puck past St. Pierre for his 23rd marker of the year at the 11:45 mark.
Danbury took a 3-0 lead halfway through the third period after Andrew Willock redirected Devin Guy's shot in front minutes before Jason Dolgy registered Brooklyn's first goal of the night, however the Aviators late rally just fell a bit short.
Vetri earned the win stopping 42 of 43 shots, while St. Pierre is charged with the loss making 21 saves.
The Aviators return to action next Friday night when they take on the Akwesasne Warriors at the Turtle Dome in Akwesasne, ONT for a two-game set. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. each night and can be watched live via the Warriors broadcast network powered by LiveSportsVideo.com.
Great tickets are still available for all Aviators home games, and can be purchased by calling 718-758-7580 or logging on to www.BrooklynAviators.com, TODAY!
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2012
- Ice Chips - FPHL
- Streak snapped - Brooklyn Aviators
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
