Tricks get revenge on Dashers on Alumni Night, win 4-3

The Danbury Hat Tricks exacted revenge on the Danville Dashers in front of a packed house Saturday night, earning a 3-1 victory on Danbury Hockey Alumni night.

A pre-game ceremony was held honoring former Danbury professional teams, including the UHL's Trashers, the EPHL's Mad Hatters, and the FHL's Whalers and Titans. Founding Danbury Whaler Corey Fulton had his number 15 raised to the rafters in commemoration of his memorable tenure as a Whalers enforcer and fan favorite.

Come gametime, Zak Sheikh recorded his first professional point early in the first period, wiring a shot that was redirected in front by Nicola Levesque for the game's first goal. The goal ended a seven-game goalless streak for the veteran Levesque. The 1-0 score would hold into the first intermission.

Danville would even up the score midway through the second with some help from a fortuitous bounce from the puck. A shot initially stopped by Tom McGuckin popped into the air, bounced off his back and trickled over the goalline for the Dashers' first goal.

Carter Shinkaruk would answer for the Hat Tricks with a pinball goal of his own, wiring a wrist shot off the iron, ricocheting off Jesse Gordichuk's back into the net. Gordy Bonnel would pad the Hat Tricks' lead late in the period, burying a rebound off a Sheikh shot from the point.

Shinkaruk would pot a loose puck in front of the net on the powerplay to give the Hat Tricks a 4-1 lead midway through the third period. The Dashers would answer within a minute, however, as Hein potted a powerplay goal of his own. Though the Dashers would cut the lead to 4-3 in the late goings, Tom McGuckin held firm, stopping 38 shots in the win.

"We needed to up our compete level," said head coach Billy McCreary. "I think the guys definitely delivered. There's a lot of history here in Danbury, it's all about blue collar work ethic. We certainly emulated that today."

The Danbury Hat Tricks will host the Watertown Wolves next weekend at Danbury Arena. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.