Titans Fall in Game 1

Published on April 15, 2016 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Danbury Titans News Release


DANBURY, CT -- Port Huron's Dan McWhinney stopped 46 of 48 shots and Jack Callahan scored the game winning goal with under three minutes to play as the Port Huron Prowlers took Game 1 of the Commissioner's Cup Finals from the Danbury Titans by a score of 3-2. Alex Vazzano made 30 saves in the losing effort while both of Danbury's power play stayed hot with two goals.

During the regular season, the first and second place teams in the Federal Hockey League were evenly matched, each recording a record of 3-1-1-3. The game would start off even, but highly spirited as both teams looked for the first goal of the Finals. The Prowlers would strike first on the power play, with Dustin Skinner blasting a shot past Vazzano's blocker to give Port Huron the lead eight minutes into the game. Justin Alonzo and Chris Leveille would record the assists on Skinner's league leading 6th goal of the playoffs. Danbury would respond on a power play of their own, with Bryan Dallaire's wrist shot beating a screened McWhinney to knot the game at one. Brett Liscomb and FHL Rookie of the Year John Scorcia had the assists for Dallaire's first of the playoffs. The teams would enter the first intermission deadlocked, with Danbury outshooting Port Huron 18-11.

The Prowlers would control the offensive tempo for the first half of the second period, forcing Vazzano to dig deep into his repertoire to keep the game tied as Port Huron would outshoot the Titans in the period 15-13. On the power play, Danbury's Phil Bronner would knock home a rebound past McWhinney's outstretched glove to give Danbury its only lead of the game nine minutes into the period. The Titans would search for some breathing room, but Roger Tagoona would tie things up before the period expired to keep the teams even at 2-2 and setting the stage for an explosive third period.

Controversy would reign in the third period of the game as each team vied for the game winner. Prowlers' captain Joe Pace Jr. would lay a two handed slash to Danbury's Ryan Patsch, resulting in a five minute major penalty and giving the Titans an opportunity to secure the lead for good. Instead, McWhinney would come up big again for Port Huron, stonewalling the Titans on their best opportunities of the game. Mike Driscoll would score on the power play, but the goal would be disallowed as McWhinney had knocked the net off its moorings going lost to post immediately before the puck crossed the line. Pace's penalty would expire with five minutes to go in the period, and it gave the Prowlers the momentum they were looking for. Jack Callahan sneaked a bouncing puck through the five hole of Vazzano after being unmarked from the point. Danbury would pull Vazzano with a minute and a half to go, but the Port Huron defense would collapse to the slot and blocked a majority of Danbury's desperation shots en route to taking a 1-0 series lead.

Special teams were vital in the game, as the Titans would finish 2-6 on the power play, and Port Huron would go 1-3. The teams will now regroup before meeting for Game 2 of the Commissioner's Cup Finals tomorrow night. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:35pm, and. Port Huron win would give them two opportunities to win the Finals on home ice. Tickets will remain on sale until sold out for Saturday night's game. To purchase tickets, log on to danburytitans.com or call the team at 844-DT-HOCKEY.

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Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2016


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