The Danbury Hat Tricks started off slow, being outshot 22-8 in the first period, but stormed back to win it 3-1, led by two goals in the second half of the game.
For Danbury, it was the debuts for a pair of defensemen. Stamford native Tommy Drienik, and Jakub Harvanek, who was acquired earlier in the week from the Oklahoma Warriors. Deimantis Sulinskas made his season debut for Danbury, after missing the first seven games of the season.
Ty Ferguson got the start in goal once again for the Hat Tricks. Connor O’Brien got the nod for Elmira.
In the first, it was all Elmira, they led in shots 22-8 after 20 minutes of play, but there was still no score on the board heading into Period Two.
Just under nine minutes into the second, Adam Kurka put the Aviators on the board first on a broken play.
However, a few minutes later, Brent Beswick put a shot towards the goal and Gus Rabe tipped it home to tie it up at one.
It would be 1-1 heading into the third period, with Danbury outshooting Elmira in the second, 18-10.
In the final frame, Sulinskas carried the puck to point, put a shot on O’Brien, the rebound came right in front to Will Croneberger to cashed it home to give Danbury a 2-1 lead.
Ty Ferguson stood tall in goal, making 40 saves as Payton Tracy put it away with three seconds to go to give the Hat Tricks a 3-1 win.
Danbury put 38 shots on goal, a season high. Elmira went 0/2 on the Power Play. Danbury went 0/3 on their opportunities.
Both teams are back at it tomorrow from the LeCom Events Center in Elmira, NY. Puck Drop is set for 7:00 PM. You can catch all the action on NAHLTV.
About the Hat Tricks
The Danbury Hat Tricks are the Premier Junior Hockey program in the state of Connecticut, playing in the Tier 2 North American Hockey League. The Hat Tricks organization has sent countless players to Pro, NCAA D1, D3, and major junior hockey. Notable alumni include 2024-25 Hat Trick and Redding Native Niko Tournas (Moncton, QMJHL), 2021-22 Hat Trick Patriks Berzins (St. Cloud State, NCHC, D1), 2025-26 Hat Trick Patrik Ula (Sudbury, OHL), and many more.