Make it seven! Tricks down Thunder 5-4 to extend streak

The Danbury Hat Tricks just keep on rollin'.

A franchise-best win streak extended to seven tonight as the Hat Tricks completed the sweep of the Delaware Thunder to the tune of a 5-4 final.

In similar fashion to Friday night's matchup, Danbury seized a 2-0 lead only to see the Thunder come roaring back to even up the score. A pair of goals from Delaware defensemen Charlie Pens, Jr. and Kieran Devine knotted the score. Cory Anderson would give the Hat Tricks a 3-2 lead, but a loose puck in front of Danbury's net was poked home by Brennan Young to continue Delaware's furious comeback attempt.

Nick DiNicola would bury a rebound midway through the second period for his fourth goal as a Hat Trick in two games. Delaware would respond in turn, generating constant offensive pressure and sparking several breakaways and odd-man rushes. 

With 3:23 remaining in the second period, Ryan Marker poked a puck in the neutral zone ahead and raced to corral it. Hat Tricks netminder Tom McGuckin aggressively skated out to the hashmarks in an attempt to knock the puck away, but a nifty move by Marker deked the goalie, easily potting his 15th of the season.

The black-and-orange would regroup from the error, with Thomas Freeman dragging the toe and finishing a highlight reel goal to put the Hat Tricks back on top 5-4.

Danbury would control the pace of play in the third period, firing 19 shots in the final frame at Thunder goaltender Aaron Taylor. The Thunder would have eight chances of their own, but could not solve McGuckin.

The win puts Danbury firmly in second place in the Eastern Division with 29 points and nine total wins. They square off with the first-place Watertown Wolves next weekend in a home-and-home set, playing in Watertown Friday night and at home Saturday.

In his post-game press conference in acknowledgement of the team's winning ways, head coach Billy McCreary was brief.

"We're looking forward to next weekend," he said with a wry smile.