Game Recap: Hat Tricks Prevail in OT, Sweep Prowlers in Weekend Set

DANBURY — The Hat Tricks gave their fans an early Christmas present Saturday night with a 4-3 overtime win over the Prowlers to secure the weekend sweep. Forward Jacob Ratcliffe fired a slapshot into the back of the net to give the Hat Tricks the win at 2:33 of OT. With the victory, the Hat Tricks have now won six straight games against the Prowlers dating back to last season and nine straight in Danbury. 

The two sides were not feeling very festive early on. Two seconds in, defensemen Zachary Pamaylaon and Adam Heinzl dropped the gloves. This all stemmed from an incident from last season involving Heinzl crossing-checking Hat Tricks’ enforcer Daniel Amesbury in the back of the head.

At 7:30 in the first period, the Hat Tricks were set up on the man advantage when Port Huron defenseman Frank Schumacher was sent to the box for crossing checking. D-man Jarod Yau took advantage, in his second game wearing the “A”, firing a wrist shot from the blue line off the post and in to give the Hat Tricks a 1-0 lead. The scoring did not stop there. After some impressive puck handling from Pamaylaon, the defensemen found Ratcliffe who snapped one past Port Huron goalie Makar Sokolov to extend the lead to 2-0. 

It was a defensive battle throughout the majority of the second period. However at 17:11 forward Chase Harwell added to the Hat Tricks lead, putting one in from the slot. Harwell had a goal in both games versus Port Huron over the weekend, after going his first seven games without one. 

The third period told a different story as Port Huron came out firing. At 10:01, forward Liam Freeborn ended the Prowlers drought, getting one past Hat Tricks goalie Connor McCollum. It was the first goal the Hat Tricks allowed in five and a half periods. A few minutes later, forward Brandon Picard got the Prowlers closer scoring his tenth goal of the season on a five-on-three. The comeback was completed with less than a minute to go when Schumacher redirected a pass into the back of the net.    

In the extra period of play, the Hat Tricks went to the power play at 1:37. Moments later Ratcliffe sent the fans home happy, blasting the puck from the far circle into the back of the net and securing the win. Ratcliffe finished with three points, two goals and an assist.

The Hat Tricks get some much deserved time off for the Christmas holiday. They are back in action Friday Dec. 29 when they travel to Watertown, starting a three-game weekend. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. 

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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