Danbury Scores 4 Third Period Goals, Tops Elmira in OT

Elmira, NY- For much of their Friday night matchup against the Elmira Mammoth, the Danbury Hat Tricks were a step off. Elmira scored the game's first three goals between the first and second periods (Tyler Pierkarski at the 19:20 mark of the first, Yianni Liarakos at the 8:02 mark of the second on the power play, and Tate Leeson at 11:17 of the second) and controlled much of the momentum of the game. 

Thomas Proudlock stopped all 27 shots he faced in the Mammoth net in the first two frames and stopped 41 shots in the game. 

Even after the Hat Tricks figured out Proudlock's goaltending puzzle and scored a power play goal courtesy of Mike Lopez, his first of the season, Elmira answered back immediately to restore a three goal lead. Stavros Soilis' goal came fourty seconds after Lopez' tally and seemed the dagger shot. 

And yet, the Hat Tricks found offense, momentum, and life. Danbury fired 17 shots on net in the final stanza and made the most of them. Dmitry Kuznetsov went first, scoring his seventh goal in only eight games as a Hat Trick this season. Michael Marchesan took the game over from there. First, he drove up the middle and fired the puck into the net with his stick between his own legs for a brilliant highlight-reel goal at the 15:32 mark of the frame. Then the Burlington, Ontario, native completed the comeback with a rebound put back. 

Three goals in 3:13 of elapsed game time sent the matchup to overtime where the Hat Tricks emerged victorious. Mike Lopez did the honors, scoring his second goal of the game to complete a memorable night for the Hat Tricks in a 5-4 overtime victory. This was the fourth overtime victory of the Hat Tricks' season and Danbury remains the only team in the FPHL without a regulation loss (11-0-1).

Parker Butler made his professional debut in net for Danbury and stopped 27 of 31 shots faced. 

Michael Marchesan ended the night with three points, two goals and an assist on Lopez' overtime winner. 

Danbury returns home on Saturday night to face the Carolina Thunderbirds. Puck drops at 7PM ET.