Enforcers Dump Dashers, 6-2
By Jonathan Kliment
Elmira, NY - The Danville Dashers and Elmira Enforcers met again on Saturday night, as both sides looked to make some corrections from Friday night's game. Team owner Robbie Nichols filled in for Brent Clarke while he served his one game suspension and sought out career coaching win number 330. He would achieve this with relative ease, as the Enforcers bested the Dashers, 6-2 in from of 2,801 fans at First Arena.
The first period picked up right where last night left off and the Enforcers came out strong, earning the first four shots on goal. The game proceeded to see a few penalties called as special teams played a huge part in the frame. The first goal finally came at 11:47 when Marko Novosel chased down a puck that goaltender Matt Kaludis had come out to play, picked it off his stick, and shoved it into the empty net. A little over four minutes later, Tyler Prendergast scored a goal on a rebound that found him in the slot off a Brandon Vuic shot. The Enforcers cashed in on a power play as Sean Reynolds fired a shot by Kaludis to give Elmira a 3-0 lead. The period ended with a 12-8 shot discrepancy in favor of the Enforcers.
The Enforcers kept up the pressure in the second period as Ahmed Mahfouz tallied for a point in his 25th straight game in a to put the home team up 4-0. After that things got chippy, and a number of scraps broke out that saw penalties called to both sides. The Dashers finally solved Nick Niedert at 12:46 off a Daniel Martin shot. The Dashers led in shots with a slim 21-20 advantage heading into the second intermission.
The third period started with Fred Hein pulling the Dashers back to within two when he was able to chop one out of midair past Niedert. However, Ahmed Mahfouz scored his second of the night under two minutes later to put the Enforcers back up by three. Then the fisticuffs erupted again as Hein and Vuic got into it, followed by Glen Patterson and Martin. After serving his major, Patterson got right back to work and buried one at 17:17 to put Elmira up, 6-2. This was enough to pull Niedert and give Hannah Cochran some playing time as the first female goaltender in Enforcers history. She blocked two shots and ensured the victory for Elmira, as Robbie Nichols claimed his 330th coaching victory.
These two teams do battle one more time tomorrow afternoon at 4:05 PM when the Enforcers look to secure the weekend series sweep. After the game, fans will be able to skate with the Enforcers. Tickets are available by calling (607) 734-PUCK (7825).
Photo credit: Curtis Berleue Photography