Ice Chips
March 13, 2015 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) News Release
The Dayton Demonz Team Effort Force a 3rd and Deciding Game against the Danville Dashers
Dayton, OH--The Dayton Demonz faced their biggest game of the season as they tried to keep hopes alive for back-to-back Commissioner's Cup championships. After a disappointing setback in game one at Danville made this a must win game for the defending champions, the Demonz controlled action for the final two periods in their 4-2 victory.
The first period was very physical, as expected. Danville had a few scoring opportunities, but Dan McWhinney was able to stifle them. Dayton, however, struggled to get much offense going. The Demonz were only able to muster seven shots on goal until 1:36 remained in the period. That's when the game changed. Jake Lobato struck on a breakaway as he received a stretch pass from Mark Rivera and went top shelf on Matt Anthony. His goal charged his team's confidence and gave them a 1-0 lead at intermission.
The momentum from the late goal carried over into the second period for Dayton. Rivera once again made a beautiful pass to set up a goal, this one by Seth Ronsberg, to give the Demonz a 2-0 lead with 14:14 to play in the period. However, Danville would respond quickly.
The Dashers scored on the power play less than three minutes after Ronsberg's tally. The goal, by Jonathan Juliano, made the score 2-1. The Demonz would push the cushion back to two moments later as Rivera's terrific evening continued. This time, his shot dribbled through the legs of Anthony. The crowd at Hara Arena erupted as their team had a 3-1 lead.
Dayton continued to soar. Robert Dongara scored on an open net, again courtesy of a great pass down low and the lead went to 4-1 with around five minutes to play in the second.
Danville scored with 3:56 to play when Justin Levac went nearly coast-to-coast and put one past McWhinney. This made it 4-2. Dayton was in a defensive mode throughout the period trying to protect their lead. The Demonz were forced to stave off a charge by the Dashers as two late power plays put extra pressure on McWhinney. He was up to the task as his strong effort helped push the series to a deciding game three Saturday night at Hara Arena.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whalers Win Playoff Opener
DANBURY-- All it took was five good minutes.
After a slow start the No. 4 Danbury Whalers exploded for three goals in a five minute span in the second period to defeat the top-seeded Watertown Wolves 4-2 in the semifinals of the FHL playoffs Friday night at Danbury Arena.
"We're a young team, I think we had a bit of the jitters early," said Danbury coach Phil Esposito who looks to lead the Whalers to their third consecutive Commissioner's Cup finals. "We don't have the veterans we've had in the past so I just wanted to get into the locker room after the first and calm everything down."
After being outshot 18-8 in the first period and giving up a redirect goal at the hands of Watertown's Matt Wray, Danbury got on the board when Julian Fraser banked one through the five hole of Watertown's Josselin St. Pierre. Four minutes later Ilya Solarev connected on a rebound attempt and 30 seconds later David Lun ripped one past St. Pierre from the left slot.
The teams traded goals in the third when Danbury's Zach Kuta tallied on a long slap shot from the left point and Wray added his second for the Wolves on a rebound.
The four goals were enough for the Whalers, who depended on the strong play of goaltender Mike Brown all night, tallying 50 saves in the contest.
"He's a playoff goalie," Esposito said of the veteran net minder. "He may not be the best in the regular season but he knows what it takes to win in the postseason and that's why we've got him here."
Esposito hopes it doesn't take 25 minutes for the Whalers to get going for the remainder of the series which starts with controlling the tempo early on.
"We've got to move the puck around," Esposito said. "If we can control it like we want to and pass well we'll get our opportunities."
Danbury will now head to Watertown for game two of the best of three series which will be played Sunday at 5 p.m. If Watertown should win the decisive game three will take place Monday night on the Wolves ice.
"It's a small arena," the coach said of traveling to upstate New York. "It'll be packed, it'll be loud so we've got to come out ready, and play at our pace. The rest will take care of itself."
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2015
- Ice Chips - FPHL
- Dayton Demonz Win Game 2 to Tie Series - Dayton Demonz
- Whalers in Playoffs Tonight - Danbury Whalers
- Dashers Outscore Demonz 8-7 to Take Game One - FPHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
