Game Recap: Hat Tricks Score Four Second Period Goals, Top Venom 5-3

DANBURY — Aleksandr Gamzatov scored his first game-winning goal of the season as part of four unanswered goals and the Hat Tricks defeated HC Venom 5-3 on Saturday.

Gamzatov scored his team-high eighth goal with 4:29 left in the second to move Danbury ahead 4-1.

Gleb Bandurkin jump started the Hat Tricks’ scoring barrage with a goal in the crease at 10:19 in the second, giving them a 2-1 lead. Five different skaters scored to split the weekend.

Just 36 seconds later, Noah Robinson put Danbury ahead by two with a goal in the slot, his second in six games with the Hat Tricks. 

Billy Berry, in just his fourth game since returning for his second stint with the Hat Tricks, also found the scoresheet. Forty-nine seconds into the third, the Redding, Conn., native netted a wrist shot from the right circle, extending the lead to 5-1.

HC Venom’s league-leading power play tested Danbury’s penalty kill in the third.

Dustin Jesseau scored back-to-back power play goals, the first at 11:02 and the other with about three minutes left, to trim the lead to two. The Hat Tricks have allowed power play goals in six straight contests.

The first period brought opportunities aplenty in the offensive zone for the Hat Tricks, who tilted the ice. Danbury outshot HC Venom 12-7 in the first but did not strike before the intermission.

Connor Woolley broke the standoff at 8:16 in the second, marking his fifth goal in the last six games. The third-year forward also registered two assists, matching a season-high.

With the win, Danbury moved to 8-0-3 on the season when leading after the second period. The Hat Tricks scored five goals for the fourth time in the last six games and have now secured points in five of the last six. Woolley finished the night with three points (1g, 2a) and was awarded the first star while Berry, Bandurkin, and Gamzatov each had a goal and an assist and Frolov and Vasiliev notched two helpers apiece.

Up next, the Hat Tricks host the Motor City Rockers at the Danbury Ice Arena on Friday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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.