BOBCATS OUTLAST HAT TRICKS, PULL BACK INTO TIE FOR 3RD IN EMPIRE WITH 4-2 TRIUMPH

Courtesy of Patrick Grudberg-Danbury Hat Tricks

Danbury, CT - The Danbury Hat Tricks fell 4-2 vs the Blue Ridge Bobcats on home ice, splitting the weekend series and ending the season series tied at three wins apiece.

The Bobcats started out red-hot, with Danny Martin scoring four minutes into the game off a high slot wrister. The visitors continued their dominance throughout the first, outshooting Danbury 18-6 and taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

In the second, the Hat Tricks found their second powerplay goal of the weekend as Kaiden Kanderka beat Anthony Shrum blocker side from the left circle. The period featured numerous frenzied end-to-end rushes, with the Danbury testing Anthony Shrum with numerous A-grade chances. It remained at 1-1 entering the second intermission.

Six minutes into the third, Carson Gallagher scored a powerplay goal to give the Bobcats the lead. With five minutes to go, and with the Hat Tricks on the powerplay, Nick Stuckless intercepted a pass at the blue line and scored a breakaway shorthanded goal to make it 3-1 at 15:03.

Thirty seconds later, Austan Bellefeuille drew Danbury within one goal on the 5-on-3. Kaiden Kanderka was whistled for tripping with only 2:33 left, and despite a shorthanded 2-on-1 chance for Eli Rivers and some late shots with the net empty, the Hat Tricks fell short. Martin added an empty netter with nine seconds left, as the Bobcats won 4-2 and re-established their 11 point lead over Danbury for the final playoff spot.

The Bobcats return home to Hitachi Energy Arena for an eight-game homestand beginning Friday night against the Biloxi Breakers. Puck drop for all eight upcoming home games against Biloxi, the Baton Rouge Zydeco and Pee Dee IceCats is scheduled for 7:30 PM, and tickets for all games are available online at blueridgebobcats.com/tickets, by phone at 276-335-2100 or in person at the arena box office during business hours.