DASHERS COME ROARING BACK IN THIRD TO STEAL 5-4 WIN

by Casey Bryant

The Danville Dashers erupted for an improbable third-period comeback against the Danbury Hat Tricks Friday night, streaking back from down 4-2 to take a 5-4 win.

Artem Efimov-Barakov opened the scoring with a rebound goal off a broken play in front of the Hat Tricks' net. Cory Anderson would respond with a wrist shot snipe late in the first period to even up the score. The Dashers would reclaim the lead just 1:03 later, taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Gordy Bonnel would even up the score early in the second period with a one-time shot from the slot. Anderson would bury his second of the game on the powerplay with a wrist shot from the right circle to give the Hat Tricks a 3-2 lead after two periods.

Steve Mele buried a rebound off a Casper Dyrssen rush to extend Danbury's lead to 4-2. After Dominick Manochio took a tripping minor midway through the third, the Hat tricks were given a powerplay. That momentum was quickly sapped, however, as Jesse Neher was sprung for a shorthanded breakaway, which he promptly converted. 

Seconds later, Mitch Atkins broke in on another shorthanded break, knotting the score.

Penalties would pile up for the Hat Tricks late in the third, proving eventually to be their downfall. Atkins completed a hat trick on the powerplay to give the Dashers a 5-4 victory.

The Hat Tricks will rematch the Dashers tomorrow night on Danbury Hockey Alumni Night. Former players and members of the Trashers, Mad Hatters, Whalers and Titans organizations will be honored with a special banner-raising ceremony.