Game Recap: Hat Tricks Win Third Straight, Post Season-High 10 Goals Against Venom

DANBURY — The Hat Tricks celebrated their season-high in goals scored and their first three-game win streak this season in a 10-4 win over HC Venom at the Danbury Ice Arena on Saturday.

Especially Gleb Bandurkin.

The 24-year-old winger turned in his first career hat trick and Danbury’s first of the season. The Hat Tricks scored 10 goals for the first time since Feb. 24 of last season.

It didn’t take Bandurkin long to score and push the Hat Tricks ahead for good, netting a wrist shot below the left circle to give them a 2-1 lead at 11:55 of the first period. The Moscow, Russia, native then received a cross-slot pass from Aleksandr Vasilyev and scored from his knees 42 seconds later to pad Danbury’s lead at two.

A free puck in the slot laid in front of Bandurkin 1:14 into the third as he tapped it in, moving the Hat Tricks ahead 9-2.

Co-head coach Jonny Ruiz, Josh Labelle, and Chase Harwell all scored twice as Danbury potted a season-high six goals in the first period. Labelle found the back of the net at 13 minutes of the first and Ruiz extended the Hat Tricks’ lead to 4-1 at 14:26.

Labelle posted five points for the second straight night, this time with three assists in his first career two-goal outing. The defenseman scored seven minutes into the first, tying the game at one.

Makar Sokolov replaced John Moriarty in the net for HC Venom in the second and Ruiz scored on his first look at 3:19. The captain’s second goal of the night stretched the lead to 8-1.

Danbury netted four power play goals through the first two periods and has a combined 10 in the last two wins against HC Venom.

The Venom answered in the third with back-to-back power play goals. Clendenin Stewart and Stavros Soilis scored 1:20 apart, reducing Danbury’s lead to 9-4.

But Harwell scored again with 2:49 left, tallying two goals for the first time this season and fourth in his career.

Conor McCollum made 35 saves and picked up his fourth win in his last five starts to improve to 12-9-4.

With the win, the Hat Tricks moved to 12-1-1 when scoring five or more goals this season and notched their sixth straight win on home ice.

Up next, the Hat Tricks visit HC Venom at McCann Arena in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Sunday for the final game of the three-game weekend series. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

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).