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Trashers era begins with win over Adirondack

October 18, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Danbury Trashers News Release


Before a standing room only crowd of 3,005 on Friday October 15th, the Danbury Trashers started their franchise with a 3-1 win over their rivals from the Adirondack Frostbite at the Danbury Ice Arena. Months of preparation culminated in a victory for the Trashers, who picked up a win in front of league commissioner Richard Brosal who was in attendance.

Among those at the game were Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Trashers President A.J. Galante and owner James Galante. They were joined in the owner's box by Adirondack's ownership, including ESPN's Barry Melrose and Steve Levy, who have a stake in the still winless Frostbite (0-2-0).

BELLEFEUILLE SCORES FRANCHISE'S FIRST GOAL, STICK AND PUCK TO THE HOCKEY HALL-OF-FAME

Former Boston College product Blake Bellefeuille (Framingham, MA), who once skated with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL), will forever be a part of professional hockey history as he scored the franchise's first goal at the 5:23 mark of the first period from longtime UHL star and Danbury Captain Brent Gretzky.

As a result of Bellefeuille's accomplishment, the Hockey Hall-of-Fame in Toronto, Ontario has requested Bellefeuille's stick and the puck that was used to score the goal so that they may display it at the Hall-of-Fame.

TRASHERS FALL IN ELMIRA ON SATURDAY, BOUNCE BACK AT HOME ON SUNDAY

In a penalty-riddled game on Saturday October 16th, Danbury lost their first of the season as the Elmira Jackals skated to a 5-2 win over the Trashers at Elmira's First Arena. Long Island, NY native Jason Sessa scored a hat trick, with his final goal coming on a penalty shot in the 3rd period after the officials claimed that Danbury defenseman Jeff State threw his stick at the puck while Sessa was trying to shoot.

Danbury scored their first shorthanded goal of the season as John Morlang (Coquitlam, British Columbia) scored his second of the year at the 17:26 mark of the second period.

The Trashers bounced back to win their next game on Sunday October 17th as they came from behind to defeat the two time defending Tarry Cup holders from Fort Wayne 5-4.

John Morlang scored a shorthanded goal for the second straight game on a pass from Rumun Ndur during the second period.

Bruce Richardson (Ville St. Pierre, Quebec) scored a pair of goals in the 3rd period to lead the Trashers to their second win of the weekend and becomes the first Danbury player in franchise history to score two goals in one game and in one period.

Guillaume Lavallee (Chicoutimi, Quebec) started his first game as a professional and stopped 36 of 40 shots faced to earn his first professional win after spelling Scott Stirling (Norwood, MA), who started the first two games for Danbury last Friday and Saturday.

Brewster, New York native P.J. Byrne also made his professional debut on Sunday night after being a healthy scratch for the first two games of the season.

TRASHERS SHUT DOWN OPPOSING TEAM'S POWER PLAY WITH REGULARITY

Despite allowing a pair of power-play goals on Saturday night, the Danbury Trashers have been splendid at killing off opposing team's power play chances. Currently 4th in the league with a 90.47% (19-21) penalty kill percentage, the Trashers' penalty killing units have been on the ice more than anyone in the league, with Richmond's 15 opposing power-play chances second in the league.

In addition to their uncanny knack for the penalty kill, the Trashers also have a pair of shorthanded goals from John Morlang, who currently leads the league in that statistic.

WINGFIELD LEADS LEAGUE IN PENALTY MINUTES

Brad Wingfield (Gibsons, British Columbia) has established himself early on as one of the true heavyweights of the United Hockey League. "Winger" has dropped the gloves three times this season and currently leads the league with 43 penalty minutes. He also earned a game misconduct following his second fight in Elmira on Saturday.

On Sunday night, Wingfield kept his gloves on all night and also scored his first goal of the season, a power-play tally that tied the game at 3-3 in the 2nd period against Ft. Wayne.

COMING UP...

For the second straight week, the Trashers will play three-in-a-row as they travel to Elmira for the second time this season on Friday at 7:30pm, head to Adirondack on Saturday for a 7:05pm face-off and return home on Sunday at 5:30pm to play Richmond for the first time this year. Tickets for Sunday's game can be purchased online at http://www.danburytrashers.com, at the Danbury Ice Arena, or by calling 866-565-PUCK.

Season ticket packages are available by calling the Trashers Front Office at 1-866-565-PUCK. Single game tickets are available online at http://www.danburytrashers.com. Ticket office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 18, 2004


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.

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