Game Preview: Hat Tricks at Watertown Wolves | Jan. 24, 2025

LAST TIME OUT

Conor McCollum’s second career shutout and Dylan Hullaby’s game-winning goal gave the Hat Tricks their first shutout win of the season, 1-0, against Motor City on Saturday. Danbury swept the weekend for the third time this season.

McCollum stopped 44 shots in his first shutout since Dec. 23, 2023, a 4-0 home win against Port Huron. Hullaby scored his first Hat Tricks goal in only his second game with the club nearly seven minutes into the second period.

McCollum also turned away Motor City’s top goal scorer this season Eli Rivers as Danbury fended off its first opponent penalty shot since Jan. 28, 2022.

McCollum’s 10th win of the season moved the Hat Tricks to within four points of Watertown for third place in the Empire Division.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Friday night marks the sixth of 11 meetings between the Hat Tricks and the Wolves this season. The two squads last met on Dec. 27 in Danbury, a 9-6 home win for the Hat Tricks and their first in the season series.

Despite scoring 18 combined goals in the series, Danbury has yet to win in Watertown this season, losing in overtime on Nov. 1 and Nov. 9, and in a shootout on Dec. 21. The Hat Tricks also fell to the Wolves, 6-0, at home on Nov. 8 in their first shutout loss this season.

Trevor Lord has produced five goals and four assists to lead the Wolves in the series’ first five contests.

ABOUT THE WOLVES

Watertown enters tonight’s matchup in third place in the Empire Division with a record of 13-11-1-2-1. With 46 points on the season, they are just one behind Port Huron for second place but are 28 points away from Binghamton for the top spot.

The Wolves are looking to snap a three-game losing streak after taking their third series sweep this season against the Black Bears (4-2) on Saturday. Watertown has three wins in the last seven and has allowed 22 combined goals in its previous four losses. Since defeating the Hat Tricks in a shootout, 4-3 on Dec. 21 in Watertown, the Wolves are 4-5-1.

Former HC Venom forward Davide Gaeta tops Watertown in assists (29) and points (40) and has 11 goals. Since debuting for the Wolves on Jan. 3, Gaeta has turned in six goals and six assists in seven games. Trevor Lord leads Watertown’sgoal-scoring, with 16.

The Wolves traded wingers Mike Mercurio and Chiwetin Blacksmith but signed four-time FPHL Defenseman of the Year Kyle Powell on Jan. 7, who has a goal and an assist in his first two outings.

Anton Borodkin has the fourth-most wins in the FPHL (12) but has the seventh-highest goals-against average (3.58) among eligible netminders.

HAT TRICKS HEADLINES

The Hat Tricks swept their second series in three weekends and have won four of their last six games. A sweep this weekend would move Danbury ahead of Watertown to third place in the Empire Division. Saturday starts a three-game homestand versus Watertown with five of Danbury's next seven contests on home ice. The Hat Tricks have victories in three of their last seven road games since sweeping Port Huron on Nov. 30.

The Hat Tricks are 11-10-5-2 with 42 points, just four behind the Wolves for third place. Danbury’s power play is tied with Monroe for the sixth-most goals (25) in the FPHL but has cashed in on the man advantage in just three of the last nine.

Chase Harwell leads the Hat Tricks in points (27) and is tied with Gleb Bandurkin for the team-high in goals with 12. Jacob Ratcliffe is the assists leader (18).

MC LEADS THE SWEEP

Conor McCollum registered the second shutout of his pro career on Saturday, logging 44 saves as part of the Hat Tricks’second consecutive series sweep at home. Last weekend, the reigning FPHL wins leader stopped 66 combined shots, allowing just one goal in Danbury’s 6-1 win against Motor City on Friday. McCollum, 28, has won in four of his last five starts.

HULLABY’S HEROICS

Dylan Hullaby scored the game-winning goal in the second period on Saturday, tallying his first Hat Tricks goal in his second game with Danbury. Hullaby arrived from Monroe via trade on Monday. A Columbia, Md., native, Hullaby, 23, produced one goal and five assists in 20 games for the Moccasins.

ROBO’S RIVETING STRETCH

Noah Robinson assisted on the game-winning goal for the Hat Tricks on Saturday, stretching his point streak to two games (2-2-4). The 27-year-old winger also logged two goals and an assist on Friday versus the Rockers, helping push Danbury to its third series sweep this season. Since arriving from Monroe via trade (Nov. 21), Robinson has supplied seven goals and 11 assists in 17 contests.

GONZO’S BIG ASSISTS

Co-head coach Kyle Gonzalez has notched assists in back-to-back games, marking the first time since March 15 of last season. A fourth-year member of the Hat Tricks, Gonzalez, 30, picked up a helper in Saturday’s 1-0 win, in addition to one on the go-ahead goal for Danbury in a 6-1 victory against Motor City on Friday.

HAPPY ON HOME ICE

The Hat Tricks have won six of their last eight games played at the Danbury Ice Arena, marking their best stretch this season. Two of those victories include a season-high in goals scored on home ice, 9-6 over Watertown on Dec. 14, and the largest margin of victory this season, a 6-1 win against Motor City on Jan. 17. Saturday’s shutout win for the Hat Tricks moved them above .500 at home (7-6-1).

D-MAN ARRIVES IN TRADE FROM PORT HURON

Danbury acquired defenseman Justin Movalli from Port Huron via trade on Thursday. Movalli, 27, is in his third season in the FPHL and was traded to Port Huron from the Athens Rock Lobsters on Jan. 17 but did not see any action. The 6-foot-2 native of Gloucester, Mass., started his professional career with Delaware (38 games) in 2022-23 before playing 16 contests for Carolina last season.

ABOUT DANBURY HAT TRICKS:

The Danbury Hat Tricks are a professional hockey team based in Danbury, CT and compete in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Since their founding in 2019, the 2023 Commissioner's Cup Champions have brought thrilling, fast-paced, and hard-hitting hockey to the Danbury Ice Arena, earning a reputation for their competitive spirit, electric atmosphere and strong community ties. The team is dedicated to providing an unforgettable game-day experience for fans of all ages while proudly representing the city of Danbury.

Off the ice, the Hat Tricks are committed to fostering connections within the local community through outreach programs with schools, businesses and charities. By developing top-tier hockey talent and growing the sport in the region, the Hat Tricks aim to bring the community together and deliver entertainment that leaves a lasting impact.

Danbury Hat Tricks 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).