Hat Tricks Suffer First Regulation Loss in Columbus

Columbus, GA- For the first time in the 2022-23 season, the Danbury Hat Tricks lost a game in regulation time. The opponent was the Columbus River Dragons, who completed a comeback from down 3-0 to force the Friday night matchup into overtime and eventually the shootout, which the Hat Tricks ended up winning. 

The offensive momentum for the River Dragons from the third period of the Friday night game carried into Saturday, in which Columbus outshot the Hat Tricks 33-16 for the first two periods of the game and notched four goals. Thomas Aldworth, Josh Pientrantonio, Edgars Ozolinsh, and Jacob Kelly did the honors of scoring the four goals between the first two periods. 

Danbury cranked up their offensive pressure in the third period, outshooting Columbus 14-7. However, they never could solve the rubiks cube of Bailey MacBurnie, who stopped all 30 shots he faced in net. This marks both the first time the Hat Tricks lost in regulation and the first shutout of the season. 

Brian Wilson stopped 35 of the 40 shots he faced. 

The Hat Tricks fall to 13-1-1 on the season, still first place in the Empire Division, only one point ahead of the Binghamton Black Bears. 

Danbury returns home next weekend to face the Motor City Rockers. Puck drops at 7:30 PM on Friday night and 7 PM on Saturday night.