Second Period Struggles Sink Danville Against League Leaders
January 6, 2012 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Danville Dashers News Release
Danville, IL - The Danville Dashers were looking to make a statement when the first place New Jersey Outlaws skated into Danville. The contest would be the next to last in a home stand for Danville dating back to early December. Fans at the David S. Palmer arena were treated to a physical, goal-filled battle between the league leaders and the league bottom feeders.
Despite being on their defensive heals for most of the opening 14 minutes of period number one, it was the Dashers who drew first blood on the scoreboard. Justin Barr found his way behind the Outlaws' defense after a slick pass from Lee McClure. Joe Pace also registered an assist on the play. It would be all the scoring as both goaltenders would shut things down until the break. The ten shots registered by New Jersey seemed very meager considering the amount of time spent in the Dashers' defensive zone. Danville made the most of their limited puck control in the Outlaws' end of the ice by picking up nine shots to their credit.
It was New Jersey's turn to score the opening goal when play resumed. Travis Kauffeldt found himself alone in front of Dashers' goalie, Nick Wydock, with enough time for a couple dekes before putting the biscuit in the basket. John Goffredo received the lone assist on the goal (an assist was later added to Nathan Oke). Minutes later, on a two man advantage, the Outlaws took the lead on a second goal by Kauffeldt. He buried a one-timer on a pass from Kevin Cooper (second assist went to Nathan Oke). Kauffeldt would complete the natural hat-trick seconds later. It would also give him his second power play goal on the night with help from Gentry Zollars and Lawne Snyder. The third straight goal would drive Wydock from his cage. New Jersey's special team's goal streak wouldn't stop there. A fourth Outlaws' unanswered goal came off the stick of Goffredo after he converted a breakaway opportunity while his side was playing a man down. Matt Miller would run the unanswered goal streak to five with assists to Billy McCreary and Goffredo. Among all the New Jersey goals would be a fairly evenly matched fight between Dashers' Hiro Kobayashi and New Jersey's Tyler Barr. It would not be the only controversy for Barr in the match. That would be it for the period on the score sheet as the buzzer to end the period was undoubtedly a welcome sound to the Dashers' faithful.
The third period would open with a mountain to climb for Danville. The Dashers didn't help their cause by taking two penalties on the same play to award New Jersey with a two minute, two man advantage. However, the Dashers' penalty kill stood tall and prevented another Outlaws' strike. Kauffeldt would move from the scoring column to the fighting column when he engaged in a scrap with Chris Affinati. Affinati, despite a considerable size difference, held his own nicely. Matt Miller would put the Outlaws up by five goals with help from Matt Puntureri and McCreary. Danville would finally stop the bleeding with a power play goal from Dustin Skinner (assists to Ky Moje and McClure). The Dashers would continue to close the gap just minutes later when Igor Batora found the net on another power play advantage with assists from Ray Tremblay and Justin Barr. A second goal from Barr would pull the Dashers to within two when he found the back of the net after helpers from Matt Cohn and Ky Moje. Zollars would halt the Danville comeback with a goal of his own from Oke and Jason Reese. A Ky Moje goal (assists to Skinner and Barr) and a Nathan Oke shorthanded, empty netter would finish the scoring for the game. A later spear from Tyler Barr would put a scar on the New Jersey victory, earning him a game misconduct for his efforts and bringing his overall penalty minutes total for the game to an astounding twenty-six.
When the dust settled on a penalty and goal filled third period, New Jersey would celebrate an 8-5 advantage. If not for a second period let-down, it may very well have been Danville on top of the goal column. Justin Barr would lead the Dashers in scoring with two goals and two assists. Danville would also walk away with a 38-37 shot total advantage for the contest. The power play was working for both teams as the Dashers finished 4-7 and the Outlaws put up a respectable 2-5 result on the man advantage.
Both teams will undoubtedly continue their physical play as the rematch commences Saturday night at 7:05. Danville will play host for the second straight night and look to knock off the number one team in the league before heading on an extended road trip. Tickets for the final home stand game are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors/12 and under.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from January 6, 2012
- Federal Hockey League Game Recaps - FPHL
- Second Period Struggles Sink Danville Against League Leaders - Danville Dashers
- Tornado drop third straight in 2-1 loss to Odessa - Watertown Privateers
- Privateers record first victory over Aviators this season - Brooklyn Aviators
- Danbury Whalers Home Tonight - Danbury Whalers
- Brooklyn Aviators team up with MCU for three games this season - Brooklyn Aviators
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.
