Hat Tricks complete sweep of Thunderbirds with 7-4 win

The Danbury Hat Tricks erupted for four goals in the third period, pushing past the Carolina Thunderbirds to complete a three-game sweep of the reigning champs.

The Thunderbirds jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of powerplay goals in the first period, scored by Daniel Klinecky and Jay Kenney. Shayne Morrissey would get the Hat Tricks on the board early in the second, but penalty trouble would once again prove to be problematic for Danbury as Petr Panacek potted a powerplay goal.

The Hat Tricks would begin chipping away at the lead, as Casper Dyrssen put one past Jake Mullen. Midway through the second period, Phil Bronner dropped the gloves with Stan Bachor, giving the Hat Tricks bench a jolt of energy. Morrissey would capitalize on the momentum swing, sliding one in from a sharp angle in the waning moments of the second period. 

Vlad Gavrik would give the Hat Tricks the lead early in the third, as a slap shot redirected off a Thunderbirds defender into the net. Minutes later, Jonny Ruiz would shovel a backhander in on the powerplay.

Though Carolina would strike for their fourth powerplay goal of the game to bring the game back within one, Danbury would pull away with a pair of goals from Carter Shinkaruk and Dyrssen.

Dillon Kelley stopped 40 of 44 shots.

"The response from our guys [after the Bronner fight] was there," said Hat Tricks head coach Billy McCreary. "The guys rallied around him when he was able to put his body on the line."

"Anybody can beat anybody in this league," McCreary added. "We've been beaten by Mentor, Watertown, Elmira...when you play the right way you get results."

The Danbury Hat Tricks will be on the road next weekend to battle the Delaware Thunder. They return home February 14th against the Thunder to complete what will be four consecutive games against their division rival. Tickets are available by clicking here.