The Danbury Hat Tricks got their 2026-27 season off to a hot start, by defeating the Elmira Aviators by a score of 4-2 to open the franchise’s seventh season Friday night at the Danbury Ice Arena. Goaltender Ty Ferguson led the way with a 35-save performance.
Just over four minutes into the first period, Joseph Krausefeldt was able to force a turnover and find Johnny Niemela in the slot where he would rip it home to give the Hat Tricks an early 1-0 lead. Three minutes later, the Aviators responded on the Power Play, as Matt Maglio would find Cruz Ferguson on the backdoor to tap it home and tie the game at one.
At the 11:12 mark of the first, Will Cronberger picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, got around two defenders and slipped it home to regain the lead for Danbury.
Five minutes later, Gus Rabe deposited a rebound into the back of the net to extend the Hat Tricks’ lead to two, which they would take into the first intermission.
In the second, Elmira pushed early, but Ferguson shut down the door multiple times to protect the two-goal lead. Danbury then used that momentum to their advantage by the end of the period.
With under a minute to go in the second, Brent Beswick used his speed and ripped one by Elmira’s JD Low to make it a 4-1 lead into the second intermission.
Danbury started out strong in Period Three, but the Aviators brought the pressure to Ferguson, who continued to shut down the door. Cael Primanti did put him a goal 6:27 into the third, but Ferguson made 16 saves in the third to secure the first win of the season to the Hat Tricks.
Ferguson made 35 saves on 37 shots, while JD Low made 17 on 21 shots for Elmira.
Click HERE for tonight’s box score.
Danbury and Elmira will rematch at 7:00 on Saturday at the Danbury Ice Arena; tickets are $10 at the door.