Ice Chips
Published on March 8, 2014 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Danville Proves to be the Better Team Tonight with Come From Behind Victory over Dayton
(Dayton, Ohio) The Danville Dashers were able to do something this evening on the Demonz home ice something they have been unable to do in their previous 8 meetings at Hara Arena, beat the Demonz with a 5-3 win. The victory came in dramatic fashion, scoring 3 unanswered goals in a 3 minute span after being down 3-2 with less than 5 minutes left in regulation.
The first period saw neither team scoring, with Danville carrying the play in the initial frame. Danville outshot the Demonz in the period 9-8, but more importantly having some quality scoring opportunities, and limiting the Demonz to a couple of scoring chances. The Dashers limited the Demonz scoring chances by boxing out the Demonz in the slot, shots that were able to get through, the Dashers made sure there were no second chances.
The second period saw the Demonz utilize their speed, where they controlled the play for most of the period, creating numerous chances off the rush. Dayton got on the board mid-way through the period and take a 1-0 lead on August Aiken tip-in goal off Dan Mercer's slap-shot from the right point. Dayton continued to carry play through the middle frame creating turnovers, odd-man rushes, while also gaining time in the Dashers zone.
In a two minute span late in the 2nd, Danville took advantage of their few scoring opportunities in the period, but were able to cash in and take a 2-1 lead into the second intermission. Dasher's Billy Hunt tied it at 1-1, and 2 minutes later, undisciplined play by the Demonz led to Darick St. Marie's power-play goal gave the Dashers the lead at the end of two periods.
The 3rd period saw the Demonz again storm out the gate as Dustin Skinner's power-play goal tied the game 2-2. Wehebe Darge's go-ahead goal half-way through the period gave Dayton the lead 3-2. This was all the scoring for the Demonz on the evening. The Dashers would not be denied tonight, scoring 3 unanswered goals in the game's final 5 minutes to pull out the victory. Danville goal scorers were St. Marie's (2nd of the night) tied the game at 3-3. Former Dayton Demon Justin Brausen's (game winner) put the Dashers up 4-3. An insurance goal by Matthew Puntureri, added insult to injury in a well-deserved win by the visitor.
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Whalers Sink Privateers 9-0, Score Six in Second Period
DANBURY, CT - The Danbury Whalers and Watertown Privateers met for the second time in two days Saturday night at a sold out Danbury Ice Arena. The Whalers were victorious in Friday night's affair 3-2 in Watertown, and were able to maintain that momentum into the first period by scoring two goals. First to connect was Ryan Patsch with a snapshot over the glove of the newly acquired Nick Niedert just 57 seconds into the game. This goal was assisted by FHL Rookie of the Month Tim Richter and Cody Ayers. For Niedert, it was not an auspicious start after being traded earlier in the day from the Danville Dashers for Matt Anthony. His work was only beginning, however, as the Whalers would eventually record 25 shots alone in the first period. The second goal of the period came courtesy of defenseman Harry Radovich after he was able to pick the pocket of Privateers' defenseman Colby Spooner in the offensive zone. Radovich had a clear lane to the net and was able to deke Niedert to the ice and pop it under the crossbar to complete the scoring for the first period.
Danbury was able to maintain their offensive momentum in the second period exploding for six goals with Ryan Patsch factoring in the first two goals in the period. First, Patsch received a pass from Tim Richter and was able to gain position in the slot to take two shots on goal. The first shot rebounded back onto Patsch's stick and the second shot fluttered up into the air, where it was batted in by Cody Ayers for his team leading 26th goal of the season. Patsch would score himself just over three minutes later as he took a quick snap shot from the blue line that goaltender Nick Niedert did not see until the puck crossed the goal line. Newly signed James Sanford made his presence felt later in the period with some tic-tac-toe passing that concluded with Garrett Peters firing a one timer over a down and out Niedert to extend the Whalers lead to 5. The onslaught continued as the Whalers scored the next three goals in three minutes. First, Tim Richter scored with assists to Cody Ayers and Ryan Patsch. Then, David Lun finished a two on one with Matt Caranci to make it a seven goal lead. James Sanford also assisted on the play. Ilya Solarev would conclude the scoring with an unassisted goal with exactly one minute remaining in the period. Shots after two periods of play were 45-25. The six goals scored in the second period set a season record in the Federal Hockey League, as no team had scored more than five in a period thus far in the season.
With such a large lead the Whalers simply maintained their game in the third period. They did manage to score once as Steve Brown scored a power play goal at the 15:05 mark to make the lead nine. However, the most notable incident of the period occurred when Basem Awwad took a baseball swing at the ankles of James Sanford in front of the Danbury bench after stalking him from halfway across the ice. While Awwad's swing mostly missed, he stood at the red line and challenged the Danbury bench to stand up for their teammate, and Julian Fraser skated from the defensive zone to answer the bell. Both players grappled for positioning until Fraser was able to launch a right that connected on Awwad's jaw, sending him to the ice. The remaining time in the third period passed without incident, and the Whalers were victorious. With the Danville Dashers' 5-3 win over the Dayton Demonz, the Whalers again move into a tie for first place and a first round playoff bye with the Demonz. Only 8 games remain in the regular season for the Whalers, including three games against Dayton that will determine which team will finish atop the FHL standings. Cody Ayers received third star honors with a goal and four assists. Ryan Patsch was awarded second star with two goals and two assists, while Mike Brown was named the first star of the game, recording his second shutout of the season. The Whalers will be in action again next weekend, spending four games on the road. The first game will be against the Danville Dashers on Thursday, March 13th, with a 7:05PM scheduled faceoff in Danville.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2014
- Ice Chips - FPHL
- Danbury Whalers Sign Campbell & Sanford - Danbury Whalers
- Danbury Whalers Home Tonight - Danbury Whalers
- Demonz earn 8-5 victory - Dayton Demonz
- Ice Chips - FPHL
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