Game Preview: Danbury Hat Tricks host Indiana Sentinels | Feb. 14

Last time out

The Hat Tricks extended their losing streak to five games after losing 3-2 in a shootout to the Indiana Sentinels in Game 1 of the weekend series. 

Eli Rivers opened the scoring for Danbury at 3:38 in the first period, corralling a loose puck in front of Indiana’s net and putting it past Chris Curr to put the Hat Tricks up 1-0.

In the second period, Danbury extended its lead to 2-0 when Greg Susinski scored on a rebound while crashing the net at 16:04 for his first goal in 48 days.

In his 100th FPHL game, Sentinels forward Bohdan Zinchenko got the first goal for Indiana at 3:26 after tipping in Jakub Volf’s pass high to make it 2-1. With 44 seconds left in the second, former Hat Tricks Ethan Esposito beat Kyle Penton to tie the game 2-2.

Both teams needed four periods of play and a shootout to decide the winner, as Blake Peavey scored in the third round to lift Indiana to a 3-2 victory.

Here are some observations from Danbury’s shootout loss:

No late fix in sight for power play

The Hat Tricks' struggles on the power play aren't going anywhere this season. The unit is operating at a 13.4 percent success rate, worst in the Empire Division and second-worst in the league.

It was on full display Friday against Indiana. Danbury went 0-5 on power play, including a crucial four-on-three advantage in the overtime period. But the struggles were there from the start. 

An offensive turnover on the Hat Tricks’ first power play of the game gave Indiana’s Zinchenko a breakaway opportunity on Penton early. The gaffe not only gave the Sentinels a chance to take the early lead, but it also threw off Danbury’s man-advantage unit enough that it couldn't settle in.

On the second power play, following a Jhuwon Davis tripping call, the Hat Tricks had an opportunity to capitalize during a poorly timed Indiana line change. An offside call, however, wiped out the opportunity.

One would expect, given the urgency as Danbury chases the division’s final playoff spot, that the unit would show signs of improvement. That just has not been the case, and there is little indication that a significant change is coming before the season ends.

Opportunities slip away late

During this five-game skid, the Hat Tricks have been tied in the third period three times — Jan. 31 vs. Blue Ridge, Feb. 7 vs. Watertown and Friday — but none of those games ended in their favor.

On Friday, Danbury once again was tied 2-2 in the final period. The game went to overtime, and even with a four-on-three advantage, the Hat Tricks could not generate a shot that challenged Curr, ultimately sending the contest to a shootout where Indiana prevailed.

Head-to-head

Tonight’s game is the second of four straight against the Sentinels and the fourth meeting between the teams this season. Danbury holds a 2-1 record, having swept Indiana on Oct. 25-26, winning by a combined score of 15-4 before Friday’s 3-2 shootout defeat.

Overall, the Hat Tricks have outscored Indiana 17-7 in the three-game series. The Sentinels will aim to narrow that gap and even the series with a win tonight.

About the Sentinels

Indiana enters the game at 7-22-4-2 with 49 points, holding seventh in the Empire Division and remaining nine points ahead of the Continental Division’s last-place Biloxi Breakers, who have 18 points. The Sentinels remain on the outside of the playoff race, as they have for the majority of the season.

Indiana’s offense is paced by forwards Ashton Collazo (5 goals, 16 assists) and Ethan Esposito (9 goals, 13 assists), who have 21 and 22 points, respectively, with Collazo topping the team in assists. Bohdan Zinchenko leads the squad in goals with 12 and adds six assists for a total of 18 points.

Hat Tricks headlines

Loss to last-place Indiana highlights ongoing struggles

The Hat Tricks’ loss to the league’s newest expansion and last-place team highlighted a lot of issues that have plagued Danbury this season. They squander opportunities to take control in close games late.

Game 1 was another example. Tied in the third period, then unable to convert on a man-advantage in overtime, the Hat Tricks left the ice with a loss, which also highlighted the power play woes.

Every missed opportunity adds urgency. Friday’s defeat made it clear that Danbury has a long way to go if it hopes to reverse these trends before the season ends.

The Danbury Hat Tricks continue their sixth season in the Federal Prospects Hockey League on Saturday, Feb. 14 (7:00 p.m.) at the Danbury Ice Arena, to take on the Indiana Sentinels. Single-game tickets and partial season ticket packages are on sale and can be purchased in person at the Hat Tricks office located inside the Danbury Ice Arena at 1 Independence Way in Danbury, by calling (973-713-7547) or emailing (herm@danburyhattricks.com) the office, or online through Tixr. For the latest Hat Tricks news, visit www.danburyhattricks.com, follow the team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/danburyhattricks), Instagram (@danburyhattricks), X (@DanburyHatTrick), TikTok (@danburyhattricks), and YouTube (@DanburyHatTricks), and subscribe to the Hat Tricks' newsletter.

The Danbury Hat Tricks are a professional hockey team based in Danbury, CT, and compete in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Since their founding in 2019, the 2023 Commissioner's Cup Champions have brought thrilling, fast-paced, and hard-hitting hockey to the Danbury Ice Arena, earning a reputation for their competitive spirit, electric atmosphere, and strong community ties. The team is dedicated to providing an unforgettable game-day experience for fans of all ages while proudly representing the city of Danbury.