Game Preview: Hat Tricks at HC Venom (in Danbury) | Dec. 13, 2024

LAST TIME OUT

Vadim Frolov had the game-winning goal as part of a two-goal night, Jonny Ruiz logged his 300th FPHL point and the Hat Tricks took down the Motor City Rockers 3-2 at Big Boy Arena on Saturday to finish off a five-game road trip.

Frolov scored on the power play from the right circle with 10:39 left in the third to put the Hat Tricks ahead for the second time in the game. The 21-year-old also put Danbury in front 1-0 at 6:58 in the second on a cross-slot pass from Aleksandr Gamzatov.

Gleb Bandurkin scored on a deflected pass in the crease that gave Ruiz, the Hat Tricks’ all-time leader in points (284), goals (152) and games played (217), his 300th FPHL point just more than 11 minutes into the second. 

Danbury’s 2-0 lead in the second lasted for only 2:16, however, as Tristen Wells scored on the power play at 13:20. Avery Smith tipped in a point shot in the third at 3:57 for his third goal in as many games, evening the Empire Division battle. Frolov’s game-winner at 9:21 of the third extended Danbury’s power play scoring streak to five games and point streak to four games.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Hat Tricks are the road team against HC Venom on Friday despite the game being played at the Danbury Ice Arena. The Venom, who were recently sold, are dealing with arena issues causing the game to be played in Danbury. Friday marks the second meeting between the teams this season after Danbury won 9-3 in Newburgh, N.Y., on Oct. 26.

In what was deemed as the “Battle of 84,” to start the season, the two sides will face off nine more times this season. The Hat Tricks will host the series’ third installment on Saturday before hosting again on Jan. 3. The next day, Jan. 4, Danbury will be the road team again on its home ice. The following game of the series is scheduled as a road game for the Hat Tricks on Jan. 31 with the location still to be decided. The teams meet in Connecticut on Feb. 1 and again the following day, Feb. 2, at whichever home venue the Venom occupies. The two squads will not see each other again until March 7–9, when Danbury takes home ice against the Venom for three straight games. 

Scoring a season-high nine goals in their last battle with HC Venom, the Hat Tricks rattled off six unanswered goals to overcome an early 1-0 deficit and record their first road win of the season. Five different players scored after Connor Woolley netted the equalizer midway through the first period, and 12 skaters logged at least one point. Co-head coach and captain Jonny Ruiz had four points, and Josh Labelle, Jacob Ratcliffe, and Chase Harwell each had three.

HC Venom is one of the four new franchises in the FPHL this season joining the Athens Rock Lobsters, Dashers Hockey, and Monroe Moccasins. HC Venom and the Dashers play in the Empire Division while the Rock Lobsters and Moccasins are in the Continental.

ABOUT HC VENOM

HC Venom lost to Watertown 4-2 on the road on Saturday and has lost four consecutive games, its longest win drought of the season. The Venom defeated Motor City by two goals on Nov. 15, its last win, and have been outscored by a combined nine goals since then.

Formerly known as “Hudson Valley Venom,” the franchise changed ownership as of Dec. 10, and is now owned by sports management firm PKB, LLC., according to an FPHL statement. The team’s new name is HC Venom and will look at expansion markets to potentially move its franchise.

MJ Maerkl is HC Venom’s first-year coach, who assumed the role on Oct. 30 upon former coach Josh Newberg’s departure. Through eight games under Maerkl, Hudson Valley is 3-4-1 after starting the season 1-3-0.

A former four-year defenseman in the FPHL, Maerkl, 31, played in 126 combined games from 2016–2024, and most recently for Elmira as a player and assistant coach last season.

Eimantas Noreika leads the FPHL in goals (14) and power play goals (8) and is second on HC Venom in assists (10). His team-high 24 points ranks third-most in the league. Noreika has scored in consecutive games twice this season, the first including 11 combined goals across a six-game stretch (Oct. 26–Nov. 16). Against the Hat Tricks on Oct. 26, Noreika scored his second goal of the season to start a six-game point streak (11-7-18) including back-to-back hat tricks on Nov. 9 and 15.

Hudson Valley leads the league in power play scoring (26.5%) and is tied with Port Huron for the second-most goals on the man advantage (18), seven behind Binghamton. Its penalty kill, however, has struggled, allowing 20 goals for the FPHL’s second-most, only trailing the Dashers (24). Their kill ranks as the second-worst in the league (75.1%) only ahead of the Dashers (64.7%).

HAT TRICKS HEADLINES

The Hat Tricks return home for a “road” matchup with Hudson Valley following their five-game road trip that involved three wins, one regulation loss, and their first shootout loss of the season. Danbury looks to take a 2-0 lead on HC Venom in the season series and has won three of its last four games and four of the past six.

At 6-5-4-1 (24 points), Danbury remains eight points behind Watertown and trails Binghamton by 16 for first place in the Empire Division. With their road win over Motor City on Saturday, the Hat Tricks tied their season-low in goals against (2), having also done so in their 5-2 win at Port Huron on Nov. 30. When allowing two or fewer goals, Danbury is 3-1-0 but still searches for its first shutout win of the season. Saturday’s win also moved the Hat Tricks to 6-0-3-1 when leading after the second.

Despite having scored on the power play in each of its last five games, Danbury’s penalty kill has given up 16 power play goals for the third most in the FPHL, trailing Hudson Valley (20) and the Dashers (24). Last season, the Hat Tricks allowed 42 (80.9%) for the fifth-fewest.

The Hat Tricks are tied with Binghamton for the league lead in shorthanded goals, with four, including two from Chase Harwell. Last season, they scored the second most (13) to tie with Mississippi. Four of Danbury’s seven victories have been decided by three or more goals, and seven skaters have registered at least 11 points in 16 games.

Aleksandr Gamzatov has 17 points (7g, 10a) to lead the Hat Tricks, one ahead of Jonny Ruiz (5g, 11a). Jacob Ratcliffe has turned in the most assists with 12.

MILESTONES FOR RUIZ AND ANDERSON

Co-head coach and captain Jonny Ruiz recorded his 300th FPHL point in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Motor City. The Hat Tricks’ all-time leader in points (284), goals (152), and games played (217), Ruiz assisted on Gleb Bandurkin’s goal for his 11th assist this season. Ruiz finished last season with 74 points (38g, 36a) and has turned in 60 or more points in each of the past three seasons. Cory Anderson played in his 100th game and remains five points from his 100th point in the FPHL, all with the Hat Tricks.

RUSSKIY LINE RED HOT

Russia natives Vadim Frolov, Aleksander Gamzatov, and Gleb Bandurkin each tallied points on Saturday. Frolov scored a career-high two goals, including the game-winner, and has seven points (5g, 2a) in the last five games and goals in four of the previous five games (5). Gamzatov supplied two assists and has five multi-point outings, in addition to a team-high seven goals. Scoring for a second straight game, Bandurkin has five points in the past two games (2g, 3a) and 10 points (4g, 6a) in the last six games. The three forwards have combined to score 20 of the Hat Tricks’ first 57 goals this year.

POWER PLAY SCORING TURNAROUND 

Vadim Frolov scored the game-winner on the power play on Saturday, marking the fifth straight game the Hat Tricks have scored on the man advantage. The 21-year-old began Danbury’s longest power play scoring streak of the season in a 3-2 home loss to Binghamton on Nov. 27. Frolov and Chase Harwell have each scored a team-high three power play goals.

CAPTAIN STAYS HOT

In Saturday’s 3-2 win, captain Jonny Ruiz assisted on Danbury’s second goal, lengthening his season-long point streak to four games (2-5-7). The 30-year-old forward has contributed points in each of the Hat Tricks’ last three wins, including a season-high two goals in a 7-4 home win against Binghamton on Nov. 23. In his last outing against the Venom on Oct. 26, Ruiz provided one goal and three assists for his first of two four-point games this season.

MC WINS AGAIN

Second-year goaltender Conor McCollum won his second straight start in the net on Saturday, doing so for the first time this season. In each of his past two starts, McCollum allowed two goals and made 29 and 30 saves, respectively. McCollum has made at least 30 saves in seven of his first 12 starts after leading the FPHL in wins (24) last season. Through 12 starts, McCollum holds a 5-5-2 record.

BERRY ON THE SCORESHEET

Forward Billy Berry notched his first point in his second season with the Hat Tricks on Saturday, assisting on the Hat Tricks’ go-ahead goal in the second period. The Redding, Conn., native re-signed with the Hat Tricks on Nov. 26 after totaling 12 points (6g, 6a) as a rookie last season. Additionally, Berry added a goal and an assist in three playoff games against Motor City, last season. Last season, the 25-year-old got off to a hot start securing a seven-game point streak (6-4-10) from March 2–29.

Single-game tickets and full/partial season membership plans are still available for purchase. If you are interested, email herm@danburyhattricks.com or go to Tixr.

To stay up to date on all things Danbury Hat Tricks hockey, go to danburyhattricks.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok (@DanburyHatTricks).

ABOUT DANBURY HAT TRICKS:

The Danbury Hat Tricks are a professional hockey team based in Danbury, Connecticut, competing in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Since their founding in 2019, the Hat Tricks have brought thrilling, hard-hitting hockey to the Danbury Ice Arena, earning a reputation for their fierce competitive spirit and strong community presence. The team is dedicated to providing an exciting game-day experience for fans of all ages, with a focus on building long-lasting connections within the local community.

Proudly representing Danbury, the Hat Tricks are committed to excellence both on and off the ice. In addition to developing top-tier hockey talent, the team engages in numerous community outreach programs, fostering relationships with local schools, businesses, and charities. The Hat Tricks aim to continue growing the sport of hockey in the area and provide entertainment that brings the community together.

Whether you're a die-hard hockey fan or new to the sport, the Danbury Hat Tricks promise an unforgettable experience every time they take the ice.