The Danbury Hat Tricks got back in the win column on Thursday at the NAHL Showcase, defeating the Wisconsin Windigo 7-3 from the Super Rink in Blaine. Gus Rabe led the way with his first NAHL Hat Trick. Brent Beswick had two goals, and Tristan Konobelj added three assists.
Kristof Krnac got the start for the Hat Tricks in goal, and Luke Quinn for the Windigo.
Danbury got started early, and Jackson Arango pushed and pushed for the puck, ultimately getting it to squeak by Quinn, giving the Hat Tricks an early 1-0 Lead.
Almost a minute later, Rabe found a loose puck in the slot off of a Windigo turnover, beating Quinn to the backhand, and Danbury would be up 2-0, over eight minutes in.
Kaden Mote got one back for Wisconsin seven minutes later, but the Hat Tricks went to the Power Play late in the period. Brent Beswick took a feed on the far post from Tristan Konobelj and put it home, giving the Hat Tricks a 3-1 lead into the First Intermission.
The Hat Tricks would get another Power Play to start the second. Brent Beswick put a shot towards the front of the goal, and Gus Rabe tipped it in to make it 4-1 for Rabe’s second of the day.
Late in the period, Aiden Stamm took a hit in the neutral zone, popping the puck out for Will Croneberger, who ripped it home on the 2-on-1 to make it 5-1, Hat Tricks heading into the third.
In the third, Eric Palmer would cut the lead to three, making it 5-2 with under Ten Minutes to go, but Rabe answered, scoring his third of the game on a feed from Konobelj.
Wisconsin added one more, a goal from Aiden Hickok, but Danbury immediately responded thanks to Brent Beswick’s second of the day.
Kristof Krnac made 21 saves on 24 shots en route to his first NAHL win in goal. Danbury put up 41 shots on Quinn in the Wisconsin net.
Hat Tricks went 2/2 on the Penalty Kill and 2/7 on the Power Play.
Next up, the Hat Tricks meet the Minot Minotauros to close out their 2026 NAHL Showcase on Friday. Puck Drop is scheduled for 12:45 PM EST. 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.