Ice Chips
Published on December 20, 2013 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Whalers Dominant In Win, Move Into First Place
Danbury, CT - The Danbury Whalers moved into first place with a dominant performance, avenging last week's loss to the Dayton Demonz. Ilya Solarev scored his first goal this season for the Whalers while Andy Willock scored twice and was named first star of the game.
The first period began slowly without a shot on goal recorded for the first five minutes. The Whalers started to turn up the offensive pressure after killing off a Mike Brown penalty for delay of game, but were unable to convert on their first power play of the game roughly half way through the period. Justin Fraser was sent to the box for interference less than a minute after, answered by another successful penalty kill. The Whalers would get on the board first, courtesy of a turnaround shot by Ilya Solarov that found a hole over the shoulder of Dayton goaltender Jeff Rose. Danbury would enter the first intermission up by one.
The second period was a much longer period, highlighted by two fights and a broken stanchion. Before those events the Whalers struck with two quick goals, first from Tim Richter, the second from Andy Willock. These goals occurred less than a minute apart, and Willock's goal would hold up as the game winner. The first fight stemmed from an elbow to the head of Tim Richter delivered by Daniel McClure. Matt Caranci, who currently leads the Whalers in points, inserted himself into the fracas and was assessed a third man in penalty and an automatic game misconduct. McClure was also sent to the locker room after receiving a five minute major for elbowing and game misconduct. The second fight started in front of goalie Mike Brown in the Danbury crease, when Julian Fraser took exception to Shaun Fisher crashing the Danbury net. After rolling over Fisher, Fraser was challenged by Roger Tagoona at center ice, and the two had a spirited bout to the cheers of the home fans. However, Fraser's actions led to the Demonz having a four minute powerplay, and they would eventually convert with 3:10 left in the period as Brian Marks was left with an open net after an aggressive play by Mike Brown. The second period ended with the Whalers in the lead, three to one.
In the third period, the Whalers played defensive hockey and Mike Brown shut the door on any chance of a comeback by the Demonz. In the prior four games between these two teams, no game had yet to be decided in regulation time. The Whalers ensured this would not happen again by putting the game out of reach just past the halfway mark of the period when Andy Willock scored his second goal of the game after a hard forecheck by linemates Cody Ayers and Ilya Solarev led to Willock being alone in the slot. David Lun would add an insurance marker with less than four minutes remaining by putting home the rebound after an Igor Karlov breakaway.
Mike Brown earned the third star of the game by recording 33 saves on 34 shots, while Jeff Rose suffered his second lost of the season. The Danbury Whalers will be in action again tomorrow evening against the Danville Dashers, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 7:35 PM at the Danbury Arena. That game will feature a clothing and toy drive to benefit Family and Children's Aid of Danbury. One lucky fan will also have the chance to win a new 2014 Nissan Pathfinder courtesy of Bruce Bennett Nissan.
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Danville Dashes to a 5-3 Victory Over Privateers
A well played game by the Danville Dashers' and the Watertown Privateers' ended in a 5-3 win for the Dashers'. The Game had long periods of end to end hockey, good goaltending and several fights.
Privateers' goals were scored by Branden Parkhouse assisted by Andrew Harrison and goaltender Matt Anthony. Harrison from Britt Ouellette and Parkhouse, and Beni Berisha from Dustin Skinner and Dane Ericksen.
Dashers goals came from Ryan Stern assisted by Joe Pace, Justin Barr from Roman andrejev and Dustin Henning. Andrejev from Henning, Brian Soskin from Malcolm Lyles and Ryan Huggett. And Lucas Labelle assisted by Marcus Mitchell and Joe Pace.
The Dashers' first goal by Stern and the Third goal by Anrejev were short handed goals, both breakaway goals. The Dashers fourth goal was also scored on a breakaway.
Goaltender Jeremy Semtner had an outstanding save on Dustin Skinner from point blank range that was the save of the year in this building and robbed the Privateers of their fourth goal.
The Three stars were Roman Andrejev and Joe Pace of the Dashers and Watertown's Beni Berisha.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2013
- Ice Chips - FPHL
- Danbury Whalers Home Tonight - Danbury Whalers
- Connellsville, Pennsylvania to Host Federal Hockey League Game - FPHL
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