Game Recap: Hat Tricks Sweep Elmira in Home-and-Home Set

ELMIRA, NY — The Hat Tricks buried three goals in the second period and held on in the third to sweep the home-and-home series with Elmira. Captain Jonny Ruiz scored twice, once on the power play and once shorthanded, to lead the charge.  

At 7:39 in the first period, Elmira’s point leader Steven Klinck netted a 5-on-3 power-play goal from the left side circle to put Elmira on top. After one, Elmira led the game in shots 14-10.

8:26 into the second frame, rookie Billy Berry secured a rebound off the pad of Elmira goaltender Frankie McClendon to even up the score at one. With 5:33 remaining, Ruiz slapped a one-timer on the power-play into the back of the net to take the lead for the first time in the game, 2-1. Four and a half minutes later, Ruiz caught a stretch pass down the ice for a shorthanded goal to extend the lead to two and notch his second of the night.

With 1:22 remaining Elmira forward Davide Gaeta tapped in a rebound to cut the deficit to one. The Hat Tricks stiffened in the final minute to secure the 3-2 win. 

Hat Tricks netminder Talor Joseph stopped 33 out of 35 shots in his first start with the team while the duo of McClendon and Sammy Bernard allowed three goals on 43 shots. 

The Hat Tricks hit the ice again Sunday in Watertown. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m.

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