The stage is set at the Danbury Ice Arena.
The Hat Tricks close out the 2025–26 regular season this Friday (7:00 PM) and Saturday (3:00 PM) against the NAHL’s top team—the President’s Cup-winning Maryland Black Bears—with everything on the line.
The equation is simple: one win, and the Hat Tricks clinch their first-ever Robertson Cup playoff berth—regardless of what the Johnstown Tomahawks do against the Philadelphia Rebels. Danbury enters the weekend two points ahead, and even in a tie, the Hat Tricks hold a critical edge in regulation wins—25 of their 26 victories have come in regulation, compared to 15 of Johnstown’s 24.
Now, it comes down to two games against the league’s best.
A Heavyweight Test
Maryland has had Danbury’s number this season, winning three of four meetings by a combined score of 25–16. The last time these teams met—November 28–29 at Piney Orchard Arena—the Black Bears took both games (9–2, 8–4).
League scoring leader Harrison Smith (96 points; 24 goals, 72 assists) has led the charge with eight points (2G, 6A) against Danbury. Jaden Sikura, Trey Hinton, and Ryan Franks have each added three goals in the season series.
Maryland has gone 6-for-26 (23%) on the power play against the Hat Tricks, while their goaltenders have posted a 3.85 GAA and .829 save percentage in those matchups.
On the Danbury side, Willem Kerr leads the team with three points (1G, 2A) against Maryland, while Matt Dabrowski and Kai Mencel each have two goals. The Hat Tricks are 5-for-27 (19%) on the man advantage in the series, with goaltenders combining for a 6.10 GAA and .832 save percentage.
Maryland: The League Standard
The Black Bears enter the weekend as the NAHL’s top team with a dominant 48-5-3-1 record (100 points).
They are riding a 16-game winning streak, fresh off a sweep of the Rochester Jr. Americans (3–0, 4–1), and have been the most complete team in the league all season:
- 244 goals scored (1st)
- 130 goals allowed (2nd)
- 23.92% power play (7th)
- 84.81% penalty kill (3rd)
- 61 power-play goals (3rd)
- 10 shorthanded goals (5th)
- Just 5 shorthanded goals allowed (25th)
Individually, Smith leads the way with 96 points and a +42 rating (2nd in NAHL), while Ryan Franks tops the team with 30 goals. Franks and Tanner Duncan each have seven game-winning goals, and Logan Deuling leads in penalty minutes (169).
In net, Maryland boasts a 2.20 GAA and .900 save percentage with nine shutouts (Ryan Denes with 7, Dom Gotto with 2). Denes leads the team with 2.07 GAA and .909 save percentage.
Hat Tricks: One Win from History
Danbury enters the weekend 26-24-4-3 (59 points), sitting 6th in the East Division (20th overall) and coming off a strong 4–1 road win over the New Jersey Titans.
They’ve won two of their last five and four of their last ten, and now return home with everything within reach.
Team numbers:
- 176 goals scored (18th)
- 183 goals allowed (19th)
- 17.62% power play (27th)
- 80.63% penalty kill (14th)
- 37 power-play goals (27th)
- 6 shorthanded goals (21st)
- 6 shorthanded goals allowed (22nd)
Kai Elkie leads the team with 57 points (18G, 39A), while Matt Shpungin has a team-high 22 goals. Ludovik Gauvin leads with four game-winning goals, and Gavin O’Hara owns a +16 rating while also leading the team with 139 penalty minutes.
In goal, the Hat Tricks have been steady, posting a 2.99 GAA and .904 save percentage with five shutouts.
- Jon Dukaric: 21 wins, .911 SV%
- Luke Brassil: 2.72 GAA (team best)
More Than Just Hockey
Friday night adds even more meaning.
The Hat Tricks will honor their six age-out players—Peter Freel, Kai Elkie, Jon Dukaric, Gavin O’Hara, Brendan Boring, and Lukas Zimovcak—before the game, followed by recognition of the billet families who make the season possible.
Every fan in attendance will receive a free team photo.
And it’s $3 Combo Night—a hot dog and a beer together for just $3.
Tickets are just $5 for both games.
The Moment
This is what it all comes down to.
Two games.
One win.
A chance to make history.
Against the best team in the league, the Hat Tricks have the opportunity to prove they belong—and punch their ticket to the Robertson Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Now, it’s time to finish.
