Game Recap: Hat Tricks Tie it Late, Lose in Shootout, 4-3, to Watertown

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — For the third time in four meetings, the Hat Tricks and Wolves went past regulation and, for the third time, Watertown came away with the extra point in a 4-3 shootout victory on Saturday night at the Watertown Municipal Arena. Trevor Lord scored the lone goal in the shootout to snap a three-game skid for the Wolves and push them to a perfect 4-0 in the season series with the Hat Tricks.

Danbury’s Gleb Bandurkin tied the game with 37 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. The rookie Russian has netted goals in three consecutive games and five of the last six.

With the loss, the Hat Tricks fall to 1-5 after regulation this season and have lost two straight and three of their last four.

Watertown’s Trevor Neumann started the scoring with five minutes to play in the opening period. The 25-year-old tucked home a free puck in the crease and has totaled three goals in four games against the Hat Tricks this season. Danbury outshot Watertown 13-10 in the first period but failed to find the back of the net.

4:07 into the second frame, defenseman Jeremy Rottke followed up a Josh Labelle point shot and tapped in the game-tying goal near the right post. The rookie has goals in back-to-back games after scoring his first as a pro on Friday in Danbury.

Less than three minutes later, at 7:04, Mathieu Halle got a piece of a point shot for his first professional goal and a 2-1 lead. But at 11:38, Danbury evened the score again when Jacob Ratcliffe buried a slot shot with Anton Borodkin out of the net. The veteran forward has goals in two consecutive games and points in four straight. The second period concluded with the score tied at two and Danbury leading the shot category 36-27.

In the third, Halle notched his second of the game midway through the period to give Watertown its third lead of the night, 3-2. In the final minute, Bandurkin corralled the puck in the low slot and sniped it under the bar to tie it up and send the game to overtime.

After just three combined shots in OT and no goals, the game entered a shootout where Lord’s goal on the first attempt of the shootout proved to be the difference in a Watertown win. Brodkin stopped all three Hat Tricks shooters and 47 shots in the game while Conor McCollum made 33 saves and two of three in the skills competition.

The two teams meet again on Friday, Dec. 27 in Danbury to continue the 11-game season series. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.

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.