Game Preview: Hat Tricks at Watertown Wolves | Nov. 9, 2024

LAST TIME OUT

Anton Borodkin and Garrett Johnson pitched a combined 61-save shutout in a 6-0 Watertown blowout win over the Hat Tricks on Friday night. 

In the opening period, Watertown scored three goals in a 4:21 span. Trevor Neumann grabbed the game’s first two goals at 14:28 and 16:59.

Michael Mercurio also scored two goals, each in the second period. All of the Wolves’ goals were scored at even strength.

Conor McCollum was replaced by Frankie McClendon to start the third period, and Johnson relieved Borodkin midway through the third due to an injury.

Danbury’s point streak ended at four games and the Hat Tricks have yet to win a game on Friday this season. The zero-goal output marks the Hat Tricks’ first shutout loss since Dec. 2, 2022, at the Columbus River Dragons (5-0).

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Saturday’s matchup marks the third of 11 meetings between the two teams this season. Five more games will take place in Watertown, N.Y. after Saturday, while Danbury will host the other three. Through their first two matchups against the Wolves, the Hat Tricks have been outscored 9-2, the first a 3-2 overtime loss. In his first start versus Watertown this season, Conor McCollum gave up two goals to forward Trevor Neumann, who scored a career-high two goals in the 6-0 loss. During the first matchup in Watertown, Danbury squandered two leads before Carter Thornton’s game-winner in overtime.

The series continues on Dec. 21 in Watertown before shifting back to Danbury on Dec. 27. The Hat Tricks and Wolves are scheduled for a home-and-home series from Jan. 24–25. They will then go to Watertown for the next three games on Feb. 21, Feb. 23, and March 13. The two sides will face off in Danbury on April 12 for the final time.

Last season, the Hat Tricks went 8-3-1-1 against the Wolves, winning five of nine games in Watertown, while taking all four at the Danbury Ice Arena.

ABOUT THE WOLVES

The Wolves’ last two wins came against the Hat Tricks, an overtime victory in Watertown on Nov. 1 and Friday’s 6-0 blowout in Danbury. Riding a seven-game point streak, the Wolves’ only two losses came against Binghamton in their season opener (Oct. 11) and in a shootout loss to Motor City (Oct. 26). Watertown still lies one point behind Binghamton (19) for first place in the Empire Division.

With a combined 22 points (10g, 12a) through eight games, returning forwards Kyle Heitzner (6g, 6a) and Carter Thornton (4g, 6a) have fueled Watertown to the highest goal differential (+18) in the Empire Division and the second-highest in the FPHL. Forward Tate Leeson, who led Watertown with 38 last season, has played just three games for the Wolves contributing 7 points (3g, 4a). First-year goalie Anton Borodkin has won six of his first seven starts, leading the league in wins. Borodkin surpassed a season-high in saves on Friday night against Danbury, stopping 47 shots in his first career shutout.

Tied with the Hat Tricks in power-play scoring, the Wolves have netted the fourth-most power-play goals in the league (7) and hold the fifth-best percentage (21.9). Watertown’s kill is also in the top half of the FPHL allowing the third-fewest power-play goals (4) and posting the third-ranked PK (90.0).

HAT TRICKS HEADLINES

The Hat Tricks are back on the road for their fourth game away from the Danbury Ice Arena in two weeks after falling in their first shutout loss of the season on Friday versus Watertown.

Despite outshooting the Wolves 61-37, Danbury failed to capitalize on eight power plays.

For the first time this season, Danbury trailed by more than one goal at the first intermission against Watertown. The Hat Tricks’ only lead after the first period through its first eight games was, ironically, on Nov. 1 in its 3-2 overtime loss at Watertown, when it led by one.

In its three overtime affairs this season, the Hat Tricks have been outshot 16-1 in the extra frame as they registered their first shootout win in eight rounds at Binghamton on Friday.

Forward Chase Harwell has scored five goals over the past five games and leads the team in scoring. Jonny Ruiz, Corey Cunningham, Josh Labelle, and Harwell are tied with the second-most points (6), three behind Jacob Ratcliffe.

SECOND ALL-TIME SHUTOUT LOSS AT HOME 

In Friday night’s loss, the Hat Tricks were shut out at home for just the second time in franchise history, and the first time since April 6, 2022, when they also lost to the Wolves (3-0). Their last shutout loss came in Columbus versus the River Dragons on Dec. 3, 2022 (5-0), before they would sweep Motor City in a two-game series at home by a combined eight goals.

LARGEST DEFICIT OF THE SEASON

The Hat Tricks’ six-goal loss on Friday night against Watertown marked their largest margin of defeat this season. The last time Danbury fell by six goals was on April 6, 2024, a 7-1 road defeat to Binghamton last season, when Black Bears forwards Tyson Kirkby and Kyle Stephan each had two-goal games. Danbury has yet to establish a winning streak this season and had its point streak snapped at four on Friday.

X-MAN OUT LONG TERM

Third-year forward Xavier Abdella went on season-ending injury reserve on Friday. The 27-year-old native of Albany, N.Y., fractured his ankle in a home game versus Binghamton (Oct. 26) and played in just three of the Hat Tricks’ first eight games of the season. As a result, first-year defenseman Reese Tamburo was signed to a standard contract after beginning the season on a PTO.

POWER PLAY STRUGGLES

Over the past three games, the Hat Tricks are 0-for-20 on the power play. In Friday night’s shutout loss, Danbury was 0-for-8 on the man advantage, after finishing 0-for-7 in a shootout victory at Binghamton (Nov. 2) and 0-for-6 in its overtime loss at Watertown on Nov. 1. Through their first seven games, the Hat Tricks have scored seven power play goals for the fourth-fewest in the FPHL with five of them coming in one game (Oct. 26 at Hudson Valley). Last season, the Hat Tricks scored the fourth-most power play goals in the league with 54.On the flip side of special teams, the Hat Tricks were flawless on the penalty kill Friday night, going a perfect 6-for-6. They have now killed off 17 consecutive power plays without allowing a goal.

HARWELL’S HOT STRETCH

Forward Chase Harwell has scored a team-high five goals through his first five games. Harwell’s three power-play goals are a team-high, and his scorching start marks his best five-game stretch over his 31 games in Danbury. Last season, the Southbury, Conn., native recorded 19 points (13g, 6a) after beginning his professional career with the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL) in 2021-22.

WOOLLEY’S IMPRESSIVE START

Winger Connor Woolley has posted four assists through seven games as he begins his third professional season. The Pawling, N.Y., native finished the Hat Tricks’ three-game road stretch with a helper in each contest, as well as his first goal this season against Hudson Valley. A former four-year player at Salem State of the MASCAC (Division III), Woolley played five games for the Hat Tricks in their first Commissioner’s Cup championship in 2023 and recorded a career-best 34 points (12g, 22a) last season.

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.

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.