Ice Chips

Published on March 16, 2013 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - GAME 2

Whalers Take Commanding Lead in the Commissioner's Cup Championship

By Robert Kirchner

(Dayton, Ohio) Last night the Danbury Whalers won game 1 of the Commissioner's Cup by a score of 5-4, to take a 1 - 0 series lead for the Federal Hockey League Championship. Danbury controlled all areas of the ice from start to finish in game one, frustrating the regular season champions Dayton Demonz.

Keys to tonight's game for Dayton was not being their worst enemy. Play with the confidence and swagger they have been playing with all season. Second, dictate the play of the game, through team speed, being patient, not to play in the Whalers defensive scheme, and match Danbury's work ethic.

Keys for Danbury were to continue to frustrate the Demonz, through a strong fore-check, neutralizing the offensive minded Demonz before they are able to gain the offensive blue line. The Whalers must continue to play disciplined hockey, and maintain their work ethic they showed in the game one victory.

With tonight's 7 to 2 win, the Danbury Whalers are 1 victory short of the Commissioner's Cup, heading back home to Connecticut.

The Whalers picked up where they left off last night. By the end of 1 period of play, the Whalers took a commanding 4-1 into the first intermission.

Again the Whalers would frustrate the Demonz with an aggressive fore-check, forcing the Demonz to turn over the puck in their own zone. When the Demonz were able to breakout, they were unable to do it as a unit, normally a 1 on 2, or 2 on 3, never able to penetrate the Whalers zone to create any offense. If and when the opportunity did present itself, the Whalers kept the Demonz to the outside of the slot area, thus limiting any scoring opportunities.

The Whalers stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first 5 minutes of the game, before Dayton cut it to 3-1 on the power play. The Whalers would regain their 3 goal lead, making it 4-1. On the Whalers 1st goal, Tyler Noseworthy, was able to pick up a loose puck inside the Whalers blue line, broke lose to go in on Demonz goalie Jeff Rose, putting the puck into the net. Two minutes later, the Whalers would go up 2-0, with the Whalers pinning the Demonz in their zone on an aggressive fore-check, with Brett Leonard beating a Demonz defenceman to a loose puck in the slot, and putting it past Rose.

Danbury's 3rd goal and 3-0 lead came with the Whalers creating havoc in the Demonz zone. Matthew Puntureri, letting go a wrist shot from the left slot.

Dayton would get on the board to cut the score to 3-1 with a power play goal. This was one of the few times of the period where the Demonz were able to maintain pressure in the Danbury zone. Working the puck around the perimeter, a wide open Jason Hill, put the puck into the Whaler net, scoring from the right side of the crease.

Danbury would add their 4th goal of the period, again off the fore-check, created by Chris Atkinson, who would put it past a shell-shocked Jeff Rose.

Danbury continued their strong play in the 2nd period, scoring 3 goals to increase their lead 7-1 at the end of two periods of play. Two of Danbury's goals came off special teams, one on the power play, the other a shorthanded goal.

Matthew Puntureri would add two more goals in the 2nd period, giving him a hat trick on the evening. Danbury's 3rd goal of the middle frame was scored by James Sanford.

The Demonz made a goalie change after Danbury took a 5 -1 lead, replacing Jeff Rose with Tony Tabisz, in an effort for coach Marc LeFebvre to rally the team. Both goalies have been called upon by Head Coach LeFebvre and Assistant Coach Jack Collins to step into a starting role at various times during the season, with both providing solid goaltending in capturing the regular season championship.

Dayton would score the lone goal in the 3rd period, with Lucas Schott's goal 3 minutes in the final frame would close out the scoring in the game, making it final 7-2 Danbury.

The 3rd game of the Commissioner's Cup will be played in Danbury, Connecticut, Friday, March 22nd. The Off-Ice Officials want to thank Coach Marc LeFebvre, Assistant Coach Jack Collins, Alex DiMuccio, and especially the players for the memorable season. We look forward to seeing everyone back here for game 5 of the Finals.

Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2013

• Ice Chips - FPHL

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