Ice Chips
Published on October 18, 2014 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
Battalion Open Season with Statement Win
In the first ever game of professional hockey played in North Adams Mass, the Berkshire Battalion gave a nearly sold-out crowd quite a show. The one-sided affair was marked by a strong goaltending performance first from Swiss net minder Daniel Palmkvist followed by a relief effort by Louie George. George would come into the game after a 3rd period goal by Darin Lane, and would stop all 4 shots he faced. Palmkvist shut down Southwestern Pennsylvania early and made 31 saves, only letting in one goal to Tom Tracy. The rest of the offense would be provided by the home team, putting 10 goals past the goaltending tandem of Brent Troyan and Dustin Tanner. Matthew Hamilton would open the scoring at 2:41 of the 1st, and Lester Brown would notch the only other goal of the period 12 minutes later, scoring off of a Darin Lane pass.
Darin would score first in the 2nd period when a rocket David Arvay shot blasted through and found the back of the net making it 3-0 Berkshire at 13:11. Off the ensuing face-off, Tom Tracy of the Magic made a strong rush to the net and put his shot high over Palmkvist's shoulder to make it a 3-1 score. Matt Rosebrook and Michael DiNardo would also add on points and going into the 3rd period it was 5-1 Battalion, but there were only getting started.
An offensive clinic was put on in the 3rd period as the following Battalion players netted goals; Darin Lane, Michael Kaselouskas, Michael Dolman, Lester Brown, and Martin Uhnak. Ryan Dolence would also score this period for Pennsylvania, beating Louie George, but at the final buzzer it was 10-2 Berkshire.
Darin Lane, the hometown product and assistant coach for the Battalion was the first star of the night and is currently tied for a league leading 2 goals and 3 points. He is tied with his teammate Lester Brown(2 goals 1 assist), Matt Hamilton (1 goal 2 assists), Michael Kaselouskas (1 goal 2 assists), and Justin MacDonald of the Watertown Wolves (2 goals 1 assist). Hamilton earned 2nd star honors with a 3 point night as well, and Michael Kaselouskas was the 3rd star with his 3 point night as well.
The Battalion's next home game will be October 25th, against the Danville Dashers .
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Dayton Wins Home Opener over Danville
(Dayton, Ohio) The Dayton Demonz took to the ice tonight as the defending Federal Hockey League (FHL) Champions. The last time the home fans saw the Demonz on home was game 4 of last year's finals against Danbury. With the excitement of the first game of the season, and the crowd of 1,300 cheering on the defending champions against the Danville Dashers, this year's (2014-2015) team, the home team did not disappoint.
Prior to the start of tonight's game, in a pre-game ceremony, the Dayton Demonz retired number 36 that of former FHL all-star and current Demonz head coach Trevor Karasiewicz. This was followed by the singing of the national anthem and a local high school Junior ROTC color guard, presenting colors with the singing of the national anthem.
Tonight's game proved a couple of things. One both teams have adjustments to make, as the game was sloppy at times, and second the Danville Dashers are a much improved team this year.
The game was evenly played, with both teams controlling play in the offensive zone, while other times both teams suffered from team defensive lapses with a number of scoring opportunities going both ways for the Demonz and Dashers. Demonz goaltender Matthew Kinsella was the difference tonight, stopping many point blank shots as the Demonz beat the Dashers by a score of 4 to 2.
Dayton would get on the board first, scoring on the power play, a 5 on 4 man advantage, just a little over 3 minutes into the 1st period. The Demonz would work the puck deep in the Danville zone as Ahmed Mahfouz, found Dustin Skinner in the high right slot, and putting a beauty into the Danville net, giving Dayton the 1-0 lead. Team Captain Brian Marks was also credited with an assist on the play.
Less than 3 minutes later Danville would tie the game 1 to 1. The Dashers would work the puck in the Dayton zone, and Justin Brausen would send a nice pass to Gehrett Sargis who was planted in the left slot, ripping a shot past Demonz goalie Matthew Kinsella.
Dayton would take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission with the FHL's leading scorer from last season Ahmed Mahfouz (second point of the evening), carried the puck from the left side boards inside the Dashers blue line, moving into the left slot, and ripping a sizzler past Dashers goaltender Matt Anthony on an un-assisted goal.
In the second period Dayton would increase their lead to 3 to 1 on Scott Stafford's tip-in, which came off a blast from the point from Demonz defenseman Len Pelletier. This would be the only goal of the period between both teams. Demon Jarrett Rush was also credited with an assist on the play.
The 3rd and final period would be very physical between both teams. The game was delayed several times during the final frame with several fights breaking out mid-way through the period. Danville would cut the lead to 3-2 taking advantage of a 5 on 3 power-play. The Danville goal was credited to A.J. Tesoriero, with assists going to Jonathan Juliano and Gehrett Sargis second point of the night.
Dayton would add an insurance goal with less than 3 minutes left in the contest, with the Demonz just coming off a man advantage; Wehebe Darge received a pass from Robert Vanwysberghe pass from behind the Dasher's net, Darge's blast from the slot made in final Dayton 4 and Danville 2.
Both teams meet again at Hara on Saturday evening with a game start time at 7:35.
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Wolves Win Home Opener in Front of Sell Out Crowd
The Watertown Wolves opened their inaugural season in the Federal Hockey League with a 3-2 win over the Danbury Whalers, Playing to a sell out crowd of 1, 469.
The Wolves opened the scoring with former Privateer Dane Erickson assisted from Justin McDonald. Scoring next was Watertown's McDonald from JR Harris, another Privateer.
The Whalers came back getting a score from Ilya Solarev assisted from Tim Richter and Brett Lysko. Wolves Justin McDonald netted his second goal of the game to make the score 3-1 from Harris and Erickson. The Whalers made it close scoring a second goal by Brett Lysko assisted by Ryan Devine and Tim Richter.
Goaltender Mike Brown of the whalers stopped 31 of 34 shots while Wolves net minder Jesse Chenard stopped 32 of 34.
Stars of the game were;
First star Justin McDonald, Second Star Dane Erickson both of the Wolves, with the third star going to Ben Schoenberger of Danbury.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2014
- Demonz Rally with a 4-3 OT Win over Danville - Dayton Demonz
- Home Opener Tonight - Danbury Whalers
- Ice Chips - FPHL
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