Ice Chips

February 22, 2014 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release

Danbury CT- The Whalers were down early in this one, but they showed what kind of versatility they have as they stormed back with four unanswered goals. Cody Ayers had two goals and an assist and Mike Brown made 26 saves to help the Whalers end their three game losing streak by defeating the Privateers Friday night 4-2.

Beni Berisha got the scoring started for Watertown at 11:43 of the first period. Dane Erickson carried the puck into the Whalers end and dropped a pass to Britt Ouellette who one timed it on goal. Mike Brown made the initial stop, but left the rebound in the slot where Berisha buried it home to make it 1-0. Berisha wasn't done yet, as he scored his second of the game and 17th of the season at 17:36 to give Watertown the two goal lead. The Watertown winger gathered the loose puck along the boards and fired a quick wrist shot on goal from just inside the left circle that beat a surprised Brown over the left shoulder. Despite many good scoring chances, the Whalers were unable to solve Matt Anthony as the Privateers carried the 2-0 lead into the intermission.

The Whalers fought back hard in the second period, as they would collect two goals of their own to tie the game up at two. First it was Cody Ayers on the power play connecting for his 20th goal of the season. Tim Richter made a beautiful saucer pass through the slot to a waiting Ayers who had to just guide the puck in past Matt Anthony. The Whalers would carry the play for much of the rest of the period, firing shot after shot on the Privateers goal. Then, with just forty seconds left in the period, Tim Richter would collect a tally of his own to knot the game up. Matt Caranci was somehow able to get the loose puck into the slot where Richter buried it up over the shoulder of Anthony. It was the 19th goal of the season for the Connecticut native. The Whalers lead the Privateers 40-21 in shots after two periods of play.

In the third period, it was Cody Ayers scoring the game winning shorthanded goal at 2:11 of the final frame. With his team down a man Ayers carried the puck into the slot and followed his own rebound to give the Whalers the 3-2 lead. It was the 21st of the season for Ayers who now leads the team in the goals category. Andy Willock would add an empty netter with 1:05 remaining to put the finishing touches on the win.

Matt Anthony made 52 saves in the loss for Watertown. The Whalers are back in action tomorrow night as travel to Danville for a 7:00 puck drop.

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Dayton Moves into First Place

(Dayton, Ohio) With a win in regulation this evening the Dayton Demonz moved into first place in the Federal Hockey. No games in hand to the previous first place Danbury Whalers who have held the position since the first week of the season. The 11-5 victory over the Danville Dashers has placed Dayton 1 point ahead of Danbury (Dayton's 80 points to Danbury's 79).

Coach Karasiewicz and Assistant Coach Collins have the team working together with just over a month before the League play-offs begin. It is important for the team to realize what has gotten them to where they are, and the body of work that has gotten them there. That is playing team hockey, sticking by the coaches system, unselfish play with a team first mentality.

Today is not the destination, but an accomplishment of many months of hard work, selflessness, seeing roster changes since the beginning of the New Year, that added size and skill, most importantly character. It is said the journey is the most important part of a goal or destination. Of course that question will not be answered today, we will have wait for that question to be answered in two months. But while in the moment, and everyone on the team singing from the same sheet of music at this time, we will enjoy today, until tomorrow comes.

Tonight's game featured Military Appreciation Night. The Air Force Band of Flight from Wright Patterson Air Force Base providing elaborate pre-game ceremony, an enlistment ceremony between the 1st and 2nd intermission, with the players from the Demonz sporting camo-style jerseys with proceeds in a post-game auction of the jerseys worn in the game going to a military hero's family, and the Ronald McDonald House wounded warriors. Non-Commissioned Officer Jeffrey Schetroma aka team mascot Bonez was the driving force behind the event, and credited for his outstanding work in community relations while thinking of others who are less fortunate for their time of service and sacrifice.

The game itself was an interesting one within itself. What may be a first in professional hockey; the fans at Hara Arena this evening witnessed an on-ice officiating team of a father as the referee, and his two son's providing linesman duties.

Other things of interest in tonight's game saw both teams starting goalies getting ejected from the game mid-way in the first period, and being replaced by their back-ups to finish the game for them, as the starters engaged in a centre ice fight to the delight of the rowdy home crowd. And with so many penalties called through the evening, the Dashers were barely able to finish the game one would say due to an extremely shortened bench.

The 1st period would end with a Dayton 5-2 lead. Scorers for Dayton were Jesse Felten, Casey Mignone, Robert Vanwynsberghe (1st of two goals on the evening), Wehebe Darge and Brian Marks. Danville scorers were Anthony Iaquinto and Marc Thompson.

The 2nd period saw both teams score twice each, and Dayton taking a 7-4 lead into the final period. Scorers for Dayton came from their young guns in August Aiken and Roger Tagoona. Danville's 2 goals came from the stick of Matthew Puntureri (who would finish the evening with a hat-trick).

The final frame Dayton would continue to pour it on outscoring the Dashers 4-1, and doubling up on the scoreboard, making it final 11-5. Dayton got goals from Brandon Blair, Dustin Skinner, Vanynsberghe, and Brett Wall. Danville's lone goal came from Puntueri.

Several players from Dayton finished with a multiple point game. Most notable was Demonz two-way forward Brett Wall, who finished the evening with a goal and two assists, his first 3 point game as a professional hockey player.

Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2014

• Demonz win 7-6 victory - Dayton Demonz
• Dayton Moves into First Place - Dayton Demonz
• Ice Chips - FPHL

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