Ice Chips
March 2, 2012 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Bluefins Give Up a 3 Goal Lead and Lose at the Hands of the First Place Outlaws
Hyannis, MA -As the Bluefins get ready for the Federal Hockey League playoffs they couldn't have faced a better opponent to prepare them. The First place New Jersey Outlaws, who the Fins have seen 7 times in the last month, came to town as a preview of the first round as the two teams will face each other beginning on March 9th. Cape Cod is in the midst of shaping up their playoff roster having picked up some new blood recently including 2 new players acquired in a trade with the Danville Dashers on Friday afternoon.
The home town Bluefins wasted no time displaying their revamped lineup as recently acquired Vincent Amigone Jr lit the lamp at 3:45 giving them a 1-0 lead and early momentum. Amigone's goal was assisted by defenseman Steve Brown. Cape Cod struck again at 9:37 when Steve Kelley converted on a bouncing puck off the stick of Dan Gordon. The blast was Kelley's it 5th goal of the season. Also picking up an assist was Justin Barr, who the Bluefins picked up in the earlier trade. Barr made a spectacular spin move to get around a New Jersey defenseman before getting the puck to Gordon who set up Kelley. Before the first period ended, the Bluefins added another tally to make it 3-0. This time it came at 14:51 from the stick of Derek Scanlon who ripped a slap shot from the left point that deflected off an Outlaw player and past goalie, Adam Dekker. Gordon picked up his second assist and the Cape Cod boys went to locker room with a comfortable lead. The total shots on goal were 14-7 in favor of the Bluefins.
In the second period, the Outlaws quickly drew first blood when Anthony Battaglia scored on a power play just 49 seconds in. Battaglia's 18th goal of the season was a rebound off of a Jeff Winchester shot that Bluefin goalie Adam Roy could not handle. For Winchester, recently named as Most Valuable Player in the FHL, it was his 21st point in 9 games with the Outlaws and 80th on the season. The Outlaws then began to show why they are a heavy favorite to win the FHL title as they seized momentum and shut out the Fins for the remainder of the second frame. At 9:54 New Jersey converted on their second power play goal of the game when Matt Miller knocked in a rebound that Roy again couldn't corral. Then at 11:04, Matthew Puntureri scored his 19th goal of the season knotting the score at 3. The momentum now completely belonged to the Outlaws and at 18:20 they added their fourth unanswered goal on a rocket by Trevor Karasiewicz from just inside the blue line to take the lead on the deflated Bluefins. After 2 periods of play, the Outlaws also held the advantage in shots at 28-22.
The third period began with both teams seemed to be a bit more cautious in their attack. However, at the 6:43 mark Puntureri gave the visitors a 2 goal lead when he ripped an NHL style wrist shot high and past the outstretched arm of Roy. That made it 5 unanswered goals and a 5-3 lead for New Jersey. Puntureri's second of the game was assisted by Dan Mercer. But the Fins did not give up and just 10 seconds later, Brewster native Andrew Hutton scored his 14th of the season on a rebound off a Brad Surdam shot. Unfazed, New Jersey continued their assault and at 15:50, Brett Liscomb picked up yet another loose puck in front of Roy and knocked it into the open net after a scramble. It was now 6-4, Winchester picked up his 3rd assist and the air seemed to be rapidly leaving the building. The time ticked away and the Bluefins faithful had witnessed another tough loss. Final shots were 40-38 for the visitors.
The Bluefins wrap up their regular season on Saturday night vs the Danville Dashers at 7pm at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center. The 181st Eng. Co. from Camp Edwardswill be on hand to receive an award of appreciation from The Massachusetts Army National Guard and the Bluefins. Tickets are on sale at the HYCC prior to the game or by visiting www.capecodbluefins.com 7ouLqc_qhvemFfrPNlf4CHE4hPjAL7ivg].
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Thomson's Hat Trick Leads A's Over Whalers
BROOKLYN, New York -The Brooklyn Aviators defeated the Danbury Whalers 7-1 on Friday night at the Aviators Sports and Events Center in Federal Hockey League action. This was the final matchup of the regular season between the two clubs.
Mike Thomson led the way for the Aviators offensively with three goals and an assist, while goaltender Jo St. Pierre stopped 31 shots in the victory for Brooklyn.
Brooklyn opened up the scoring in the first period after Nick Petriello found the back of the net on the power play at the 5:13 mark. A loose puck at the base of the right wing circle was picked up by Andrew Scampoli, who then hit Petriello with a pass in the slot. While falling, Petriello slid the puck under Whalers netminder Peter Vetri for his eighth marker of the season. The Aviators doubled their lead, 2-0, 2:24 later as Steve Koich snapped one past Vetri for his seventh tally of the season on a beautiful individual effort along the left wing.
Joe Dabkowski would strike against his former club to net his fifth goal of the year 8:48 into the second period to give the Aviators a 3-0 lead. Dabkowski battled in front to only find the puck sitting alone in the crease, which he then slid under the left pad Vetri. Thomson then scored both of his goals on the night, with one on a rebound and the other on a deflection, on the power play just 2:05 apart that put Brooklyn up 5-0 after two.
Thomson completed the hat trick in the third period, also on the power play, with his breakaway tally at the 1:40 mark, while defenseman Brian Marks scored his first of the year 2:18 later to ice it for Brooklyn.
Vetri gets the loss for Danbury after only playing two periods and stopping 21 of 26 shots before giving away to back up Matt Trusz.
Brooklyn closes out their home regular season schedule when they take on the New Jersey Outlaws at 7:05 p.m. at the Aviator Sports and Events. Catch all the action live via the Aviators broadcast network powered by LiveSportsVideo.com.
Great tickets are still on sale for the Aviators final home game of the regular season, and can be purchased by calling 718-758-7580 or logging online to BrooklynAviators.com, TODAY!
Carmine Vetrano Team Executive/Alt. Governor - Broadcaster & Media Relations Brooklyn Aviators Pro Hockey Team 2010-11 FHL Broadcaster of the Year Single-A Affiliate of the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers t. (718) 758-7580 f. (718) 758-9801
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Walers drop finale
BROOKLYN, NY - Brooklyn Aviators forward Michael Thomson scored a hat trick as Brooklyn took a huge step towards a rematch with the Danbury Whalers in the Federal Hockey League playoffs by defeating Danbury 7-1 tonight at Aviator Arena in Federal Hockey League action. The Whalers fell short of finishing .500 on the road this season with the loss.
The Aviators came out with a purpose, needing at least 2 wins this weekend to avoid playing 1000 Islands in the 2-5 series next week. Brooklyn forward Nick Petriello capitalized on a power play in the first, while Steve Koich got a breakaway after serving a minor and made it 2-0. Former Whaler Joe Dabkowski made it 3-0, and back-to-back power play goals by Thomson stretched the lead to 5-0 after two periods. Thomson finished the hat trick with a goal in the third against Matt Trusz, playing his second game in relief in three nights. Whalers toughguy Corey Fulton tried to make a statement by soundly punishing Ken Trentowski. For this, he earned a minor-major-game misconduct. Another Whalers penalty gave Brooklyn a 5-on-3 and Brian Marks cashed in. Martin Moucha's fourth goal of the year from Adam Houli with 1:06 to go in the game prevented Danbury's first shutout of the season. The win, combined with Akwesasne's loss to 1000 Islands means Brooklyn needs one point in the final home-and-home against New Jersey to clinch the fourth seed.
The Whalers still need one point to clinch the third seed and most likely face the Aviators. Danbury returns to the Ice Arena tomorrow night to face the Delaware Federals at 7:35. Tickets are available for this week and all upcoming Whalers games. Get your tickets by visiting thedanburywhalers.com or by calling 973-713-7547.
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Huge game by Varga boosts 1000 Islands over Akwesasne, 15-8
The 1000 Islands Privateers' Tibor Varga had a big offensive game, scoring two goals and contributing six assists in his team's 15-8 win over the Akwesasne Warriors.
Varga found the back of the net 1:12 into the first period to make the score 1-0 1000 Islands and again while on the power play 9:50 into the second to make the score 6-4 Akwesasne.
Akwesasne's 17 penalties came back to haunt it, as the Warriors let up eight goals while on the penalty kill.
1000 Islands' goal total was higher than its season average. The Privateers average 5.4 goals per game. 1000 Islands' defensemen were a huge part of the offense, scoring eight goals and taking 31 shots. The 71 shots that the Privateers put on net surpassed 1000 Islands' average of 18.8 shots per game this season.
1000 Islands additionally got points from Peter Drikos, who also had one goal and one assist, Brendan Baumgartner, who also registered two goals and one assist, Dimitrios Chiropoulos, who also had three goals and one assist, Michael Byrd, who also racked up one goal and two assists, Brad Smulders, who also tallied one goal and three assists, Alain Quenneville, who also registered three goals and one assist, and Adam McAllister, who also had one goal and four assists. 1000 Islands also got a goal from Michael Lafleur as well. Other players who recorded assists for 1000 Islands were Britt Ouellette, who had four and Michael Jordan, Miguel Delisle, Chase Tippin, Alex Redmond, and Colin Rice, who contributed one a piece.
Akwesasne racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with 16 minors and one major for 57 minutes in penalty time. The Warriors had been averaging 33.0 minutes in penalties per game. Akwesasne bested its season scoring average. The Warriors have scored at the pace of 5.2 goals per game during the current campaign. Akwesasne relied heavily on its defensemen to assist its forwards, and the blueliners responded by scoring four goals on 19 shots. With 39 shots on target during the contest, the Warriors exceeded the 27.2 shots they average per game this year.
Akwesasne was led by Nicolas Corbeil, who racked up three goals. Akwesasne also got points from Samuel Sanford-Roy, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, Jeremy Van Hoof, who also finished with one goal and two assists, and Pierre Dagenais, who also registered one goal and three assists. Jonathon St Louis also scored for Akwesasne. More assists for Akwesasne came via Carter Trevisani, who had two, Sylvain Deschatelets, who had three, and Martin Beaulne, Ahmed Mahfouz, Jacob Lazore, and Simon Desormeaux, who each chipped in one.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 2, 2012
- Ice Chips - FPHL
- Brooklyn defeats Danbury - Brooklyn Aviators
- Outlaws Dominate Year End Awards - Williamsport Outlaws
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.
