Blaine, MN- The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks’ NAHL Showcase came to a conclusion on Saturday afternoon against the El Paso Rhinos. Danbury gave up one goal in each of the three periods to the Rhinos before surging back in the third period.
Donovan O’Neil scored El Paso’s first and third period goals at the 14:09 mark of the first and at the 8:22 point of the third. AJ Reed notched the Rhino’s second period goal on a power play following a Logan Nickerson (’03) high sticking penalty.
With time running out in the third period, Danbury capitalized on a multiple El Paso penalties. Following a slashing minor by Colin Van Valkenburgh, new arrival Bohdan Panasenko (’03) cleaned up a loose puck to get the Hat Tricks on the board at the 15:54 mark of the third. The goal was Panasenko’s first goal in his first game after starting the season with the Anchorage Wolverines. On the goal, Donovan O’Neil and goaltender Hunter Garvey took roughing minor penalties. On the ensuing five-on-three power play, Robert Hyde (’02) rocketed a shot home to make the score 3-2 at the 16:09 mark of the frame. Danbury pushed and pushed with the goaltender pulled but could not beat Garvey one more time and dropped their fourth and final game of the showcase.
Connor McDonough (’04) stopped 27 of 30 shots faced in the Hat Trick net against his former team. Hunter Garvey stopped 27 of 29 shots faced.
Miles Harrington (’04) and Peter Lajoy (’02) assisted on Panasenko’s goal while Andrew Eberling (’02) assisted on Hyde’s goal.
The Hat Tricks fall to 1-4 on the season and look to bounce back with some home cooking next weekend against the defending Robertson Cup Champion New Jersey Titans, who enter the Danbury Arena looking for their first win of the season. Puck drops at 7 PM on both Friday, September 23rd and Saturday, September 24th. Both games will be broadcast live on Hockey TV. Chris Lynch will have the call for both games.