Game Recap: Hat Tricks Dominate Venom, 9-3, in First-Ever Battle of 84

NEWBURGH, N.Y. — Despite falling behind 1-0 just 23 seconds into the first period, the Hat Tricks rattled off six unanswered goals to power past the Hudson Valley Venom in the first installment of the Battle of 84 on Saturday night. Co-head coach and captain Jonny Ruiz's shorthanded goal, and first of the season, early in the second period started the Hat Tricks on a 6-0 stretch en route to a 9-3 victory. Danbury buried five power play goals on 11 chances and defenseman Chris Dusek and Reese Tamburo netted their first career goals. In his first start, Hat Tricks netminder Andrew LoRusso picked up his first professional win making 25 saves on 28 shots.

With the Hat Tricks down 1-0 midway through the first, Connor Woolley redirected a point pass into the back of the net to even the score at 1-1. The Hat Tricks kept the momentum going, potting five straight goals from five different players. Ruiz scored a shorthanded breakaway goal (4:52) followed by Bohdan Zinchenko's bar-down power play strike for his first of the year at 11:02. Jacob Ratcliffe and Chris Dusek scored even-strength goals 45 seconds apart to push the Danbury lead to 5-1.

Just 1:09 into the final frame Labelle got on the board with a power play goal, his first of the 2024-25 campaign, to balloon the lead to five. The Venom would add two goals in 1:31 but more penalties and undisciplined play derailed a Hudson Valley comeback leading to three straight power play goals for Danbury, two from Harwell and one from Tamburo. 

12 of Danbury's 16 skaters registered at least one point. Ruiz finished the game with four points (1g, 3a) to push his season total to six while three other players had three-point nights, Ratcliffe (1g, 2a), Labelle (1g, 2a), and Harwell (2ppg, 1a).

With the win, the Hat Tricks have recorded points in three straight games (7) and improved to 2-1-1 with seven points through four games. Danbury has outshot its opponent in three of its four games and has 44 or more shots in all four contests.

The Hat Tricks finish off a three-game road stint next weekend, on Friday, Nov. 1 against the Watertown Wolves and Saturday, Nov. 2 versus the Binghamton Black Bears.

Single-game tickets for the entire home slate are on sale! In addition, full and partial season memberships 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.