Game Preview: Hat Tricks vs. Watertown Wolves | Nov. 8, 2024

LAST TIME OUT

In the eighth round of a goaltender-dominated shootout, defenseman Josh Labelle scored the lone goal of the 1-on-1 competition to seal a 4-3 road win against first-place Binghamton on Saturday night. 

Hat Tricks netminder Conor McCollum stopped all eight Black Bear shooters and made 36 saves on 39 shots between regulation and overtime in his second win of the season.

The Hat Tricks surrendered two leads, 1-0 in the first period and 3-1 in the third, to set up overtime between the two sides for the second time this year. Unlike the first contest (Oct. 25), the Hat Tricks came away with the victory to extend their point streak to five games. Binghamton outshot Danbury 6-0 in the extra frame, as it did on Oct. 25, but could not find the back of the net. 

In the shootout, both McCollum and Binghamton goalie Connor McAnanama were perfect through seven rounds until Labelle sniped in the game-winner.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Friday’s matchup marks the second of 11 meetings between the two teams this season. Danbury will host three more games after Friday, while the six others will take place in Watertown, N.Y. In the first matchup of the season against the Wolves on Friday (Nov. 1), Watertown forward Carter Thornton’s game-winner at 3:13 of overtime was the difference in a 3-2 Watertown win. The Wolves came from behind twice in the second period to pick up two points. Despite the loss, Danbury secured points for the fourth consecutive game.

After Friday, the teams meet again in Watertown on Saturday for the second game of the home-and-home. 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 and then go to Watertown for the next three games on Feb. 21, Feb. 23, and March 13. The two sides 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 matchup was on Friday (Nov. 1), a 3-2 overtime win against the Hat Tricks in Watertown. The Wolves were scheduled for a road game on Saturday, Nov. 2, versus the Hudson Valley Venom, but bus troubles forced the game to be postponed.

Winning five of its first seven games, Watertown remains one point behind Binghamton for the Empire Division lead with 15. The Wolves’ only two losses came against Binghamton in their season opener (Oct. 11) and in a shootout loss to Motor City (Oct. 26).

With a combined 20 points (10g, 10a) through seven games, returning forwards Kyle Heitzner (6g, 5a) and Carter Thornton (4g, 5a) have fueled Watertown to the highest goal differential (+12) in the Empire Division. Thornton scored the game-winning goal in overtime against the Hat Tricks on Nov. 1 and brings a six-game point streak into Friday’s game, including goals in four straight. First-year goalie Anton Borodkin has won five of his first six starts, leading the league in wins. Borodkin’s first win came with a season-high 41 saves against Binghamton on Oct. 12.

Tied with the Hat Tricks in terms of power-play scoring, the Wolves have netted the third-most power-play goals in the league (7) and hold the best percentage (25.9). Watertown’s kill is also in the top-half of the FPHL allowing the fourth-fewest power-play goals (4) and posting the sixth-ranked PK (87.9).

HAT TRICKS HEADLINES

The Hat Tricks return home following their first win versus Binghamton this season on Saturday and an overtime loss to Watertown on Friday. The Hat Tricks held multiple leads in both games but could not finish the job in regulation. Over their last three games, Danbury has outscored its opponents 15-9, including five power-play goals and two shorthanded goals.

Through its first seven games, Danbury has scored seven power-play goals, tied with Watertown for the FPHL’s third-most. The Hat Tricks have gone to overtime in three of their last four games and have been outshot 16-1 in the extra frame, coming away with one win.

Forward Chase Harwell has scored five goals over the past four 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.

LONGEST SHOOTOUT IN TWO SEASONS

The Hat Tricks came away with a 4-3 shootout win over the Binghamton Black Bears on Saturday. The first shootout of the Danbury’s season lasted eight rounds, the longest since March 4, 2023, when the Hat Tricks won in 10 rounds. Former defenseman John Macdonald’s lone goal of the shootout gave the Hat Tricks a 4-3 win over the Elmira Mammoth. During their Commissioner’s Cup championship run in 2022-23, Danbury played in five shootouts and won three. Last season, Danbury had four victories in nine shootouts including three versus Binghamton in five tries. 

HARWELL’S HOT STREAK

Forward Chase Harwell has scored a team-high five goals through his first four games. Harwell’s three power-play goals are a team-high, and his scorching start marks his best four-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.

VETERAN FORWARDS LEAD ON THE ROAD

Forwards Jonny Ruiz and Chase Harwell, along with forward Jacob Ratcliffe, combined for 13 points in the Hat Tricks’ first two road wins. Harwell scored four combined goals with an assist, Ruiz logged a season-high four points (1g, 3a) against Hudson Valley, and Ratcliffe added two points (1g, 2a) in the 9-3 win over the Venom. The Hat Tricks’ all-time leader in points (274) and games played (207), Ruiz remains tied with Harwell for the team’s second-most points (6) this season behind Ratcliffe’s nine.

SECOND-YEAR CONTRIBUTORS

Forward Corey Cunningham has tallied one assist in three straight games since starting the season with three goals over the Hat Tricks’ first two games. Bohdan Zinchenko, another returning winger, has three points (1g, 2a) over the past three games. At ages 23 and 22, respectively, Cunningham (3g, 3a) and Zinchenko (1g, 3a) have combined for 10 points this campaign and produced 71 points (36g, 35a) in their first season in Danbury last year.

LABELLE DELIVERS THE DAGGER

Defenseman Josh Labelle delivered the shootout goal to clinch the Hat Tricks’ first win against Binghamton since March 9, 2024. Over the last three games, Labelle has recorded four points, including one goal and two assists in Danbury’s six-goal win over Hudson Valley on Oct. 26. A four-year FPHL veteran, Labelle won the Commissioner’s Cup title with Watertown in 2022 before leading Hat Tricks defensemen with 34 points (9g, 25a) last season.

WOOLLEY’S IMPRESSIVE START

Winger Connor Woolley has posted four assists through six 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.