Privateers Edge Whalers in OT, 4-3
February 20, 2014 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Danbury Whalers News Release
Danbury CT- Sometimes when things aren't going well for your team, it seems like the bad fortunes will never end. Phil Grainger scored the game winner in OT and Matt Anthony made 37 saves as the Privateers defeated the Whalers Thursday night 4-3.
After a scoreless first period, Mike Henderson got the scoring started just 1:43 into the second frame on what looked like a harmless play from center ice. Ryan Patsch started the play by firing a slap shot on Privateers goaltender Matt Anothony from just inside the red line. Anthony made the initial stop, but left a huge rebound that Henderson (10th) was able to put home and give the Whalers the 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Julian Fraser would extend the Whalers lead to two on his 5th goal of the season. Rob Dongara slid a pass through the paint that Anthony was able to deflect into the air. Fraser, who was cruising through the crease, caught the puck out of mid air, spun around and put the puck past Anthony to make it 2-0 Danbury. The Privateers would fight back with a goal of their own at 11:26. Dane Erickson was able to slide a pass through the Whalers defense from behind the net onto the stick of Britt Ouellette, who one timed the puck past Mike Brown to make it 2-1. It was the 9th goal of the season and team leading 47th point for the Privateers forward. The Whalers held a 28-16 shot advantage after forty minutes of play.
In the third period, the Privateers would tie the game on the power play thanks to the 15th goal of the season from Dane Erickson. Erickson took the puck behind the Whalers net and made a wrap around attempt that somehow found its way past Mike Brown to even the score at 2-2. The Privateers would take their first lead of the game at 4:37 of the third period on a bad angle goal from Beni Berisha. Berisha carried the puck to the side of the Whalers cage and somehow was able to put the puck underneath the cross bar past Brown to make it 3-2 Watertown. It was the 15th of the year for the Privateers forward. The Whalers would tie the game up at three with just 1:05 seconds left in regulation on the 11th goal of the season from David Lun. Ryan Patsch took the initial shot into traffic where the puck rattled around in front of the crease. Somehow, Lun was able to get his stick on the puck and push it over the goal line and send the game to OT.
In overtime, it was Phil Grainger, who was playing in his first game with Watertown, who would send the Privateers on to victory. After killing off a long 4 on 3 power play for Danbury, the Privateers moved the puck up the ice where Grainger took the bouncing puck and fired a wrist shot past Brown to give the Privateers the 4-3 victory. The win halted a long nine game losing streak for Watertown. It was the third straight loss for Danbury. Mike Brown made 20 saves in the loss.
These two teams will be back in action Friday night at the Danbury Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:35.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2014
- Privateers Edge Whalers in OT, 4-3 - Danbury Whalers
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