Game Preview: Hat Tricks at Port Huron Prowlers | Nov. 29, 2024

LAST TIME OUT

Khaden Henry had two goals in his first game since Nov. 2 and the Binghamton Black Bears defeated the Hat Tricks 3-2 at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena on Wednesday.

At 12:28 of the first period, Henry put the Black Bears ahead by one, scoring off a bounce in the crease. The first-year forward added another 4:47 later, rifling a shot underneath the crossbar to extend Binghamton’s lead to two. It was the third goal in two games for Henry, whose last one came against the Hat Tricks before his IR stint.

Conor McCollum turned away seven shots in the second period and eight in the third. The second-year goalie logged 19 saves and allowed just one goal after the first — Tyson Kirkby’s game-winner in the second.

The Hat Tricks outshot the Black Bears 12-8 in the third and their faceoff win in the final 16 seconds looked promising until Binghamton cleared the puck. Connor McAnanama made 24 saves and protected the crease while Danbury went at him on the power play late.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Hat Tricks visit the Prowlers for the first of seven meetings this season. The teams will battle three more times in Port Huron, Nov. 30, Feb. 14, and Feb. 15, until the series moves to Danbury. On Feb. 22, Feb. 28, and March 1, the Hat Tricks will host the final three matchups this season.

Last season, the Hat Tricks and Prowlers had five matchups, with Danbury winning the series four games to one by a combined seven goals. With four wins and one shootout loss in the season series, the Hat Tricks extended their home point streak against the Prowlers to 14 games going back to the 2019-20 season. The Hat Tricks have never lost a regulation home game to Port Huron and have dropped just four games to the Prowlers all-time, with just one coming in regulation (4-3 on Nov. 13, 2021). Danbury is 10-1-3-4 all-time versus Port Huron. Last year, all five games were played inside the Danbury Ice Arena. The Hat Tricks won one game in overtime (4-3 on Dec. 23), one in a shootout (6-5 on March 1), and two in regulation (4-3 on March 2), including netminder Conor McCollum’s lone shutout on Dec. 22, 2023, in a 4-0 win. Jacob Ratcliffe buried the game-winning goals in overtime on Dec. 23 and in the shootout on March 1). In the regular season, the Hat Tricks and Prowlers totaled the same number of regulation wins (22) and overtime losses (6) and both fell in the first round of the playoffs. 

ABOUT THE PROWLERS

In their 10th season in the FPHL, the Prowlers enter Friday’s matchup at 4-6-2-2 following their 2-1 victory over Motor City on Wednesday snapping a three-game losing skid against Baton Rouge and Monroe. With five wins in its last 10 games, Port Huron trails Watertown by 11 points for second place in the Empire Division. In nine road games, the Prowlers have won just once, 3-1 in Motor City on Nov. 2. Tenth-year forward and general manager Matt Graham brings in the FPHL’s fifth-most points (17) with two goals and 15 assists. In his eighth season with the Prowlers, Graham is also tied for the league’s most assists. Before skating for the Prowlers, Graham, 36, spent the 2016-17 season with the Danbury Titans before the franchise’s folding in 2017.

After its first 14 games, Port Huron has an even goal differential, having scored and allowed 38. Last season, the Prowlers finished with 11 fewer goals scored than their opponents and placed third in the Continental Division. 

The Prowlers’ special teams have turned in 15 power play goals for the FPHL’s fourth most and have the third-best penalty kill (85.1%) and have allowed 10 power play goals. Last season, the Prowlers had the worst PK in the league (73.6%). Alex Johnson ranks second in the league’s power play scoring with five goals.

Ninth-year forward and captain Austin Fetterly leads Port Huron’s goal-scoring with seven goals, including two game-winners. Fetterly scored two goals two games ago in a tight road loss to Monroe.

HAT TRICKS HEADLINES

The Hat Tricks continue their six-game road trip Friday in Port Huron and look to avoid a second straight loss. Their 3-2 loss in Binghamton on Wednesday marked their fifth defeat in the last six games, two of which were shutout losses at home. Danbury goes for its first road win since its shootout victory in Binghamton on Nov. 2, when it took down the Black Bears for the first time this season.

Having trailed the Black Bears by one after the second period on Wednesday, the Hat Tricks fell to 0-5-0-0 when being behind entering the third this season. Chase Harwell scored his second shorthanded goal, but the Hat Tricks took their first regulation loss of the season (1-1-1-1) when scoring with a man down.

Through its first 12 games, Danbury has won twice on the road and twice at home. Three of its four wins have been decided by three or more goals, the latest being a 7-4 home win against Binghamton featuring two goals each from Jonny Ruiz and Aleksandr Gamzatov.

Danbury has started the first season of the Ruiz-Gonzalez coaching era with four wins in its first 11 contests, including two against reigning Commissioner’s Cup champion Binghamton.

Gamzatov and Chase Harwell are tied in points with a team-high 11 as each have six goals and five assists. Harwell has recorded three assists over the past two games, while Gamzatov scored two goals in Danbury’s home win against Binghamton two games ago on Nov. 23.

FROLOV ENDS POWER PLAY DROUGHT

In Wednesday’s loss against Binghamton, Vadim Frolov scored the Hat Tricks’ first power play goal since Nov. 9, when it scored two on the man advantage in an overtime road loss to Watertown. A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Frolov posted his second goal in the last five games. The 21-year-old has turned in three goals and one assist in his first season in Danbury.

RUSSKIY LINE’S DOMINANCE CONTINUES

Russia natives Gleb Bandurkin, Aleksandr Gamzatov, and Vadim Frolov have increased their point production over the last five games, combining for 14 points. Bandurkin tallied two goals and three assists, Gamzatov provided three goals — two against Binghamton on Nov. 23 — and three assists, and Frolov collected two goals and an assist. In their first seasons in the FPHL, Bandurkin has six points (3g, 3a) and Frolov has four (3g, 1a), while Gamzatov has 11 (6g, 5a) in his second professional season.

HARWELL ADDS ANOTHER SHORTY

Second-year forward Chase Harwell notched a shorthanded goal in the second period on Wednesday, the Hat Tricks’ final goal of the game. Harwell scored for the first time since his second two-goal outing of the season on Nov. 2 against Binghamton and is tied for the FPHL lead, with two, while leading the team. The Southbury, Conn., native has logged 11 points (6g, 5a) in 10 games this season, but will not play this weekend due to prior commitments.

HENNING MAKES RETURN TO PORT HURON

As the Hat Tricks travel to Port Huron for the first time this season, Dustin Henning returns to McMorran Arena, where he spent five of the past 11 seasons of his FPHL career. The 40-year-old defenseman skated in a combined 146 games for the Prowlers and registered 41 points (5g, 36a) across five seasons. Henning played two seasons in Port Huron from 2015–17 before his second tenure lasted from 2020–2023. Henning has also dressed for four other FPHL clubs, Delaware, Danville, Watertown, and St. Clair Shores, and has tallied three assists through 12 games in his second season with the Hat Tricks.

BANDURKIN’S FIRST PRO POINT STREAK

First-year forward Gleb Bandurkin registered an assist for the second straight game on Wednesday, marking the 24-year-old’s first professional point streak. In Danbury’s home win over Binghamton on Nov. 23, Bandurkin provided a season-high two assists, while scoring his third goal of the season. In his first season with the Hat Tricks, Bandurkin has scored two goals against first-place Binghamton and one against Watertown.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Forward Corey Cunningham was dealt to the Monroe Moccasins, completing the Nov. 21 trade that brought Charlie Bedard and Noah Robinson to the Hat Tricks. Cunningham, last season's Hat Tricks Rookie of the Year, had an impressive freshman campaign finishing second on the team in goals (23), fifth in points (42), second in power-play goals (7), and tied for second in game-winning goals (3). Additionally, the Hat Tricks signed returning forward Billy Berry and former KHLer Alexander Vasilyev. Berry played for the Hat Tricks last season, appearing in 12 games and contributing 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) while Vasilyev suited up in 223 games across eight seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Single-game tickets and full/partial season membership plans are still available for purchase. If you are interested, email herm@danburyhattricks.com or go to Tixr.

From Friday, Nov. 29, to Monday, Dec. 2,  fans can enjoy 25% off all Danbury Hat Tricks merchandise, excluding authentic jerseys. It’s the perfect opportunity to stock up on hats, hoodies, T-shirts, and more to show your team pride or find the ultimate gift for the Hat Tricks fan in your life. Use code “BLACKFRIDAY” at checkout when shopping online to grab your discounted gear.

To stay up to date on all things Danbury Hat Tricks hockey, go to danburyhattricks.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok (@DanburyHatTricks).

ABOUT DANBURY HAT TRICKS:

The Danbury Hat Tricks are a professional hockey team based in Danbury, Connecticut, competing in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Since their founding in 2019, the Hat Tricks have brought thrilling, hard-hitting hockey to the Danbury Ice Arena, earning a reputation for their fierce competitive spirit and strong community presence. The team is dedicated to providing an exciting game-day experience for fans of all ages, with a focus on building long-lasting connections within the local community.

Proudly representing Danbury, the Hat Tricks are committed to excellence both on and off the ice. In addition to developing top-tier hockey talent, the team engages in numerous community outreach programs, fostering relationships with local schools, businesses, and charities. The Hat Tricks aim to continue growing the sport of hockey in the area and provide entertainment that brings the community together.

Whether you're a die-hard hockey fan or new to the sport, the Danbury Hat Tricks promise an unforgettable experience every time they take the ice.