One goal again proved to be the difference as a late-third period goal from Aidan Connolly lifted the Nordiques over the Jr. Hat Tricks 4-3 at Danbury Arena Saturday afternoon.
Danbury forward Luke Wheeler opened the scoring early in the first period, netting a wrist shot from the slot for his fifth goal of the season. Moments later, Maine’s Stefan Owens would answer to tie the game at one.
Though Danbury would dominate a long stretch of possession in the late goings of the first, generating a myriad of high-scoring chances, a stretch pass to a lurking Tristan Fasig gave the Nordiques a breakaway goal and a 2-1 lead. Joshua Burke would bring the game back to even just 16 seconds later, wiring a wrist shot past Nordiques netminder Tyriq Outen.
With 14 seconds remaining in the first period, Owens would pot his second of the game on a self-created breakaway, giving Maine a 3-2 lead heading into the first intermission.
A scoreless second period was headlined by Danbury defender Hunter McCurdy dropping the gloves with Maine’s Caden Pattison.
Josh Seeley also impressed in the second, stopping 15 shots including a flurry of point-blank chances.
Porter Schachle brought the Jr. Hat Tricks back to even in the third period, using his long reach and speed to protect the puck and shoot top-shelf on a breakaway. The goal was Schachle’s 13th of the season.
Maine would once more strike in the waning minutes of the third, as Aidan Connolly forced a turnover in front of the Danbury net and slipped a backhander through Seeley’s five-hole to give Maine a 4-3 victory.
Danbury and Maine will square off for the series finale tomorrow afternoon at 12:30pm. Live coverage will be on HockeyTV. Tickets are available in limited quantity by clicking here.
Written by Johnny Alexandre