Willock Wins It for Whalers Over Warriors
February 18, 2011 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Danbury Whalers News Release
Danbury, Connecticut - Adam Blanchette rifled in a slap shot from just inside the blue line with 1:07 remaining in overtime and Andrew Willock's skate deflected it past a helpless David Plouffe, giving the Whalers a well deserved 6-5 win over the FHL's first place Akwesasne Warriors. Akwesasne had given Danbury the dangerous man advantage as a result of too many men on the ice. This seesaw battle featured four tie scores and the Whalers scoring three unanswered goals at one point.
A Whaler bugaboo of recent vintage struck again in this game as they gave up a goal on their opponents first shot in three of the last four games. Patrick Deraspe, with just a 1:02 gone, beat Ryan Donovan for the 1-0 early Warrior lead. At 12:27 Danbury tied it up when Joe Dabkowski rushed down the right side and blasted a shot high into the net to Akwesasne goalie David Plouffe's stick side. Super Joe was assisted by defenseman Leland Fidler playing in his first game as a Whaler and goalie Ryan Donovan (Whaler's first goalie point of the season). The tie was short-lived as Travis Stacey just over a minute later put the Warriors back in front, 2-1. With 1:28 remaining in the opening period the Whalers evened it back up 2-2 when Devin Guy buried a loose puck that Plouffe couldn't corral in the crease. Guy now has a goal in each of his last four games.
At 7:49 of the second period Danbury took their first lead of the night as Alec Kirschner blasted a shot from the right circle hitting Plouffe in the chest and crawling up over his left shoulder and into the goal. Just over a minute later the Whalers extended their lead to 4-2. Joe Dabkowski and Matt Caranci played give and go on a 2-on-1 breakaway with Caranci easily beating Plouffe for the pretty score. Frustratingly just ten seconds later Danbury gave a goal back to Kyle Lagace for the Warriors and suddenly with 7:38 remaining in the period Addison Pelky knotted things up for Akwesasne at 4 all. At this point Whaler coach Chris Firriolo lifted Donovan, replacing him with goalie fan favorite Nick Niedert.
At 3:12 of the third period Danbury's Igor Karlov rushed down the left side with Andrew Willock closing in down the center. Plouffe, anticipating the pass off to Willock, was stunned when Igor rocketed a shot on net instead for the go-ahead goal, 5-4. All for naught though as Akwesasne's Ahmed Mahfouz tied it up with 9:32 remaining in regulation, setting up the eventual overtime period.
The Whalers record now improves to 21-17-5 and an impressive 18-5-1 at the Danbury Ice Arena.
Tale of the Whale: Homestand -The Whalers longest homestand of the season continues tomorrow night at 7:05 against the Cape Cod Barons and Sunday afternoon in a 5:05 tilt against Akwesasne. (See remaining schedule and game times below.) Who's Hot - "Kid" Kirschner is red hot with 18 goals and 14 assists in his 13 games wearing the Whalers green and white! Only three players have appeared in every game this season: Lucas Schott, Igor Karlov and Sean O'Malley. Hot Ticket - As everyone knows the best fans in the Federal Hockey League come to the Danbury Ice Arena as evidenced by the Whalers impressive home attendance total of 41,043 in 24 games, an average of 1,710 per game, out drawing the rest of the league by more than a 1,000 fans per game.
Remaining Danbury Whalers Games Home/Away
Cape Cod Danbury Sat, Feb 19 7:05 pm Danbury
Akwesasne Danbury Sun, Feb 20 5:05 pm Danbury
Danbury New York Thu, Feb 24 7:05 pm Aviator
Cape Cod Danbury Fri, Feb 25 7:05 pm Danbury
Danbury Cape Cod Sun, Feb 27 5:05 pm Tony Kent
Danbury Cape Cod Wed, Mar 02 7:05 pm Hyannis Arena
For more information, contact the Danbury Whalers at (203) 403-9420.
FHL Clarification Concerning the FHL Playoffs - Championship Series
The FHL would like to issue this statement contrary to rumors concerning the locations of where the FHL Championship Series will be played.
Location for the games will be played on the winner of each divisional series home ice. The team that finished with the higher winning percentage will host Game 5 (if needed).
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2011
- Willock Wins It for Whalers Over Warriors - Danbury Whalers
- Goffredo Leads Way with Hat Trick; 18-game Winning Streak Continues - Brooklyn Aviators
- Aviators 18 Game Winning Streak on the Line - Brooklyn Aviators
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