Game Preview: Hat Tricks vs. HC Venom | Dec. 14, 2024

LAST TIME OUT

Eimantas Noreika, the FPHL’s leading goal scorer, recorded his third hat trick of the season, including the game-winner at 16:50 of the second, and HC Venom took down the Hat Tricks 4-2 to snap a four-game losing streak at the Danbury Ice Arena on Friday.

Noreika scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period and the empty netter in the dying stages of the third to seal the Venom’s first win away from the Ice Time Sports Complex. The rookie buried the game’s opening goal just 3:55 into the first period to put the Venom ahead 1-0.

Chase Harwell had the tying goal on the backhand at 12:40 in the second to make it 1-1. Co-head coach and captain Jonny Ruiz assisted on Harwell’s goal and shorthanded score just 48 seconds later to push the Hat Tricks ahead for the first time 2-1. His sixth goal of the year extended his season-long point streak to five games (3-6-8).

Conor McCollum made 30 saves for the eighth time in 13 starts this season.

With the loss, the Hat Tricks fell to 2-5-1 at the Danbury Ice Arena and 0-6-0 when trailing after two periods.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Saturday marks the third meeting of 11 between the teams this season after HC Venom won 4-2 on Friday in Danbury. The Hat Tricks took the first meeting of the series on Oct. 26 in Newburgh, N.Y., and despite scoring two unanswered goals in Friday’s matchup, did not prevail. In the first matchup the Hat Tricks buried five power play goals, Jonny Ruiz posted four points (1g, 3a) and Chase Harwell (2g, 1a), Josh Labelle (1g, 2a), and Jacob Ratcliffe (1g, 2a) each registered three points.

In what was deemed as the “Battle of 84” to start the season, the two sides will face off eight more times this season. Danbury will host the next two games of the series from Jan. 3–4. 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 occupy. 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. 

Through the first two games of the series, Ruiz has two shorthanded goals toward six points (2g, 4a) and Harwell has four points (3g, 1a).

Against the Hat Tricks on Oct. 26, forward Eimantas 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. Noreika holds four goals in the teams’ first two meetings and forward Danila Belov has two, each scored on Oct. 26. Former Hat Trick Dustin Jesseau grabbed three assists on Dec. 13 after missing the Oct. 26 game.

ABOUT HC VENOM

HC Venom won its first game since Nov. 15 with its 4-2 victory over the Hat Tricks on Friday. The Venom’s victory on Friday snapped a four-game losing skid and tied the fewest goals scored in a win this season. The Venom netted four goals against Port Huron in its first victory of the season on Oct. 25.

At 5-7-1 (16 points), the Venom are averaging 4.7 goals per game in their last 10 games, but have allowed 59 goals this season.

Eimantas Noreika leads the FPHL in goals (17) and power play goals (8) and is second on HC Venom in assists (10). His team-high 27 points rank second-most in the league. Noreika has scored in three straight games twice this season, including 11 combined goals across a six-game stretch (Oct. 26–Nov. 16).

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 nine games under Maerkl, Hudson Valley is 4-4-1 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.

HC Venom leads the league in power play scoring (27.1%) and remains second in power play scoring (19), six behind Binghamton. Its penalty kill, however, has struggled, allowing 20 goals for the FPHL’s second-most, only trailing the Dashers (24). Its kill ranks as the second-worst in the league (73.7%) only ahead of the Dashers (65.2%).

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.

HAT TRICKS HEADLINES

The Hat Tricks take on HC Venom in the first of two straight games at home and look to take a 2-1 series lead. At 6-6-4-1 (24 points), the Hat Tricks are eight points behind Watertown and trail Binghamton by 19 for first place in the Empire Division. Danbury is 4-4-2 in its last 10 games and has allowed 3.6 goals per game. The Hat Tricks have three wins in the last five games and points in four of the previous five.

The Hat Tricks lead the league in shorthanded goals, with five, four of which Jonny Ruiz (2) and Chase Harwell (2) have scored. 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 through 16 games.

Having not played an official home game in three weeks, the Hat Tricks have yet to win at the Danbury Ice Arena since taking down Binghamton 7-4 on Nov. 23. Their victory over the reigning Commissioner’s Cup champions broke a four-game losing streak. Before then, Danbury had not won a game since Nov. 2 at Binghamton, its first shootout win of the season.

Ruiz leads the Hat Tricks with 18 points (6g, 12a) and has turned in the second-most assists behind Jacob Ratcliffe (13). Conor McCollum has a team-high five wins in 13 starts and a 3.29 goals against average.

FIRST HAT TRICK AGAINST THE HAT TRICKS

In Friday’s loss to HC Venom, Eimantas Noreika scored a hat trick, marking the first the Hat Tricks have allowed since Feb. 10 of last season. That day, Elmira’s Steven Klinck scored three consecutive goals, including the game-winner, to deliver the River Sharks a 6-3 win at the Danbury Ice Arena. No Hat Tricks player has produced a hat trick since Billy Berry’s on March 29 in a 7-4 home win against Watertown.

PENALTY KILL STRUGGLES

The Hat Tricks have allowed power play goals in each of the past five games. Their penalty kill has given up the third most in the FPHL (17), trailing the Venom (20) and Dashers (24). Last season, the Hat Tricks allowed 42 (80.9%) for the fifth-fewest.

STRUGGLES ON HOME ICE    

With Friday night’s 4-2 loss at Danbury Ice Arena, the Hat Tricks have fallen to 2-5-1 on home ice this season. The Hat Tricks have been shut out twice at home—once against the Watertown Wolves on Nov. 8 and again versus the Binghamton Black Bears on Nov. 16. Danbury’s two home victories include their first win of the season, a 6-2 triumph over the Motor City Rockers on Oct. 19, and an impressive 7-4 victory over Binghamton on Nov. 23, considered one of their best performances of the 2024-25 campaign.

CAPTAIN STAYS HOT

Jonny Ruiz had a goal and an assist in Friday’s loss to HC Venom, extending his season-long point streak to five games (3-6-9). Ruiz scored shorthanded for Danbury’s first since Chase Harwell scored shorthanded on Nov. 27, a 3-2 road loss to Binghamton. Ruiz has contributed six points in Danbury’s last three wins and is the Hat Tricks’ all-time leader in points (286), goals (153) and games played (218).

NEW DEFENSEMAN INKED

Defenseman Matt Pedersen signed a standard contract with the Hat Tricks on Friday. A Northford, Conn., native, Pedersen appeared in nine games for the Carolina Thunderbirds this season, tallying one assist and four penalty minutes. The 21-year-old spent last season in the EHL with Seahawks Hockey, totaling 77 penalty minutes and seven points (3g, 4a) in 40 games.

RATCLIFFE KEEPS DELIVERING

Forward Jacob Ratcliffe logged an assist on the Hat Tricks’ go-ahead goal in the second period on Friday. The Canterbury, New Zealand, native has supplied five assists over the past five games and leads Danbury in assists, with 13. Ratcliffe has four multi-assist outings this season, his latest on Nov. 29.

ZINCHENKO DEALT AWAY, MULLINS BROUGHT IN

Bohdan Zinchenko was traded to the Dashers for defenseman Connor Mullins and a professional tryout contract on Friday. A second-year forward, Zinchenko appeared in 58 games, recording 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) and 40 penalty minutes. Zinchenko also totaled four shorthanded goals for the team’s second most. Mullins, 26, is in his second professional season. The left-handed defenseman suited up in 14 games for the Dashers and contributed three assists while also playing two games with the Quad City Storm (SPHL). After finishing school last year, Mullins entered the FPHL and played 10 games with the Mississippi Sea Wolves scoring one goal.

FORMER TRASHER, WHALER SIGNS CELEB CONTRACT

For Saturday’s game, former Danbury Trasher and Danbury Whaler Alex Goupil, 41, has signed a celebrity contract. Goupil began his pro hockey career at 21 and played for the Trashers from 2004–06, recording 94 points (50g, 44a) and 128 penalty minutes in 136 games. Suiting up for the Whalers in the 2011-12 season, Goupil totaled 11 points (7g, 4a) in just six regular season games.

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.