Game Preview: Hat Tricks vs. Binghamton Black Bears | Nov. 15, 2024

LAST TIME OUT

In their second consecutive trip to Watertown, the Hat Tricks gave up a two-goal lead and fell in overtime to the Wolves. Trevor Lord scored the game-winning goal at 3:11 of OT to secure a 5-4 come-from-behind victory for Watertown, one week after Carter Thornton notched the game-ender at 3:13 of the extra frame versus Danbury (Nov. 1).

The teams combined for four power play goals, two apiece, and Watertown goaltender Garrett Johnson picked up his first win in a 26-save effort.

Watertown forwards Kyle Heitzner and Chiwetin Blacksmith scored back-to-back in the first period as the Hat Tricks trailed by one, until Cory Anderson, Gaetano DeLonge, and Vadim Frolov tallied three unanswered goals.

The Wolves scored three straight even-strength goals to finish the contest as Heitzner had the tying goal in the third for his second two-goal game of the season. Conor McCollum took his second straight loss despite making 34 saves.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Hat Tricks battle the Black Bears for the third time this season. The teams last faced off on Nov. 2 and Danbury won its first game against Binghamton of the season, 4-3, in an eight-round shootout. Defenseman Josh Labelle scored the shootout’s lone goal in the Hat Tricks’ first shootout affair. On Oct. 25, Danbury lost the season’s first meeting in overtime, despite having a 2-1 lead after two periods. Cameron Clarke tapped home the game-winner on the power play in overtime to seal the victory for the Black Bears and push their win streak to three. All five goals in the game came on special teams, four on the power play, and one shorthanded. Black Bears goaltender Connor McAnanama made 42 saves, while Connor McCollum stopped 51 shots. Forward Cory Anderson scored shorthanded in the second period for his first goal of the season.

After Friday night, the two sides will face off eight more times, four in Danbury and four in Binghamton, N.Y. On Saturday night (Nov. 16) the two teams finish off the weekend set in Danbury before returning to Connecticut on Nov. 23. The Hat Tricks head to Binghamton on Nov. 27 before again hosting on Dec. 28. After that, the Empire Division foes will not meet again until March, when the Hat Tricks revisit the Black Bears on March 14 and March 28. On March 29, Danbury is back home versus Binghamton for one game until it travels to Binghamton for one final time on April 11.

Last season, the Hat Tricks went just 1-10-2-5 against the Black Bears, with three wins coming in shootouts, two in overtime, and one in regulation. Danbury allowed a combined 74 goals to Binghamton in 18 games, which held the second-highest goal differential (+106) in both the regular season and the playoffs (+13). Currently, Danbury sits at 2-2-3-1 with 11 points, 11 behind the first-place Black Bears (5-1-1-3). Last season, the Hat Tricks finished with a 22-19-6-9 record in the regular season, 30 points behind Binghamton for first in the Empire Division.

ABOUT THE BLACK BEARS

Binghamton has won eight of its first 10 games, holding first place in the Empire Division with an FPHL-leading 22 points, one ahead of the Watertown Wolves. The reigning Commissioner’s Cup champions have scored eight combined goals in back-to-back wins over the Dashers and Port Huron following their shootout loss to the Hat Tricks on Nov. 2.

Forward Tyson Kirkby leads the FPHL with 20 points and 11 goals after netting four over the past two games. Kirkby and defenseman Jesse Anderson, who have spent a combined seven seasons with the Black Bears, lead the team in assists with 11 each. Cameron Clarke has also logged three game-winning goals, which is good for a tie for the FPHL lead.

The Empire Division leaders in goals scored last season (276), the Black Bears return eight skaters with 82 combined points. Four skaters, Kirkby, Clark, Anderson, and Thompson, have 10 or more points through their first 10 contests. Scott Ramaekers holds a four-game point streak, while Kirkby and Anderson each bring in two-game streaks as well.

The Black Bears have scored the league’s most power play goals (14) but struggle on the penalty kill (76.0%), allowing the third-most goals (12).

Second-year goalie Connor McAnanama is fifth in the FPHL in goals against average (2.08), second in wins (5), and tied for the league lead in shutouts with two in seven starts. He collected a win (42 saves) against the Hat Tricks in their first meeting on Oct. 25 in Danbury.

HAT TRICKS HEADLINES

The Hat Tricks try to overcome back-to-back losses against Watertown as they begin a two-game home series against Binghamton. Despite scoring four goals on the road on Saturday, Danbury allowed a combined 11, nine at even strength, and was outshot 100 to 76 over the two contests.

For the second time this season, the Hat Tricks lost when they held a lead after two periods, with the previous coming against Binghamton (3-2) at home on Oct. 25. In the second period this season, Danbury has outscored its opponents 13-10 in its highest-scoring frame.

The Hat Tricks’ only lead after the first period through its first nine games was on Nov. 1 in its 3-2 overtime loss at Watertown, when it led by one.

In its four overtime affairs this season, the Hat Tricks have been outshot 20-1 in the extra frame despite having registered a shootout win against Binghamton on Nov. 2.

Forward Chase Harwell has scored five goals over the past five games and leads the team in scoring. Forwards Aleksandr Gamzatov, Jonny Ruiz, Connor Woolley, and Harwell are tied with the second-most points (7), two behind Jacob Ratcliffe (9).

OVERTIME STRUGGLES CONTINUE

After the second period in Watertown on Saturday, Danbury held a one-goal lead but squandered it and lost in overtime. With two losses to the Wolves and one to Binghamton, three of the Hat Tricks’ past four losses have come in overtime, as their lone extra-frame win came in a shootout at Binghamton on Nov. 2. Last season, Danbury dropped just six of its 15 games that went to overtime or resulted in a shootout.

WOOLLEY’S IMPRESSIVE START

Winger Connor Woolley has recorded six assists through eight games as he begins his third professional season. On Saturday, the Pawling, N.Y., native totaled his first two-assist game of the season, marking his first since March 29 in a 7-4 win over Watertown last season. 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.

RUSSKIY LINE BACK ON THE SCORESHEET

Vadim Frolov and Aleksandr Gamzatov each finished Saturday’s loss at Watertown with a goal. The two forwards scored for the first time since the Hat Tricks’ first win of the season against Motor City on Oct. 19. A former skater in Watertown last season, Gamzatov scored his fourth of the season at 1:45 in the first period, and Frolov scored his second of the year in the second. Gleb Bandurkin, a first-year forward who centers the line, scored his first goal for the Hat Tricks in his first game against Watertown on Nov. 1.

‘SCORY’ ANDERSON PICKS UP MOMENTUM

Scoring the Hat Tricks’ second power play goal of the first period on Saturday, third-year forward Cory Anderson tallied his second goal in the last three games. The 30-year-old previously scored in Danbury’s first win over Binghamton this season on Nov. 2. In the 2021-22 season, Anderson tallied a career-best 47 points (32g, 15a), including eight power play goals, for the Hat Tricks.

WELCOME BACK, GUY!

In just his third game of the season on Saturday, Gaetano “Guy” DeLonge scored his second goal to lift the Hat Tricks ahead of Watertown in the second period. The Keene, N.H., native posted his first goal since Danbury’s first win of the season versus Motor City on Oct. 19, after missing time due to an upper-body injury. DeLonge logged one assist in three games with the Wolves last season.

GAUNTLET OF THE SEASON

The Hat Tricks face a challenging start to the season, with nine of their first 13 games (Oct. 25–Nov. 27) against top division rivals: first-place Binghamton and second-place Watertown. This stretch marks the most frequent matchups with these teams in a six-week span.

Entering their two-game home series against the Black Bears on Friday, Danbury has one win against these foes this season—a 4-3 shootout victory in Binghamton on Nov. 2. Last year, the Hat Tricks went 10-12-4-2 combined against the Black Bears and Wolves.

X-MAN OUT LONG TERM

Third-year forward Xavier Abdella went on season-ending injury reserve on Nov. 8. 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.

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.