Game Recap: Hat Tricks Dominate River Sharks Friday, Extend Win Streak to Three

DANBURY — The Hat Tricks, on the backs of four-point efforts from forwards Jonny Ruiz and Corey Cunningham, extended their winning streak to three on Friday night in Elmira with a 6-1 victory over the River Sharks. The Hat Tricks scored the first three and last three goals of the game.

Ruiz had a hat trick, the first one by a Hat Trick since Bohdan Zinchenko on Nov. 11 in Elmira. Cunningham got his revenge over the River Sharks notching four points (1g, 3a). It’s Cunningham's first points since returning from suspension on Jan. 3, the suspension stemming from an incident that occurred in Elmira on Dec.16.

The first period was defined by great defensive play on both sides. However, with under a minute to go, the Hat Tricks got the game's first goal. Ruiz sniped a wrister from the slot under the blocker of Elmira netminder Sammy Bernard to give the Hat Tricks a 1-0 lead. 

At 13:01 into the second period, the Captain fired the puck into the back of the net from the short side for his second goal of the game. Moments later, the Hat Tricks extended their lead when forward Connor Woolley shoveled the puck under Bernard, giving the Hat Tricks a three goal advantage. Since returning to the Hat Tricks on Dec. 22, Woolley has recorded a point in five straight games, tallying eight points (4g, 4a) during that stretch. 

At 16:37, the River Sharks broke up the shutout. Forward Martin Moucha snuck the puck under Hat Tricks goaltender Connor McCollum’s pad to cut the Hat Tricks lead to two. Moucha, who spent two seasons in Danbury as a member of the Whalers, now has points in back-to-back games. 

The Hat Tricks continued their offensive dominance scoring three in the third period. At 6:44, Cunnigham weaved through two Elmira defenders and backhanded the puck in from the right side. Moments later, Nick DiNicola received a double minor for high sticking, leaving the Hat Tricks down a man. It was not a problem as at 10:05 Ruiz roofed the puck under the bar, completing the hat trick. At 10:41, the Hat Tricks took advantage of their own power play when Zach Pamalayon’s point shot was deflected by DiNicola and into the back of the net to extend the lead to five. 

The Hat Tricks are back in action Saturday, Jan. 6 when they travel to Watertown to take on the Wolves. Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm. 

The Hat Tricks' cup defense is underway and we want you to be a part of it! Season and single-game tickets are available for purchase. Full and partial season packages can save fans up to 30% and include benefits such as FREE parking and season passes to the Danbury NAHL/NA3HL Hat Tricks games. Call Herm Sorcher at (973) 713-7547 to secure yours today or press here to learn more. To buy single-game tickets press here.

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