Wednesday Wrap-up: Philadelphia Take the Victory in Overtime Fashion

Philadelphia 3 @ Danbury 2 (OT) - The Philadelphia Rebels win a tight game on the road against the Danbury Hat Tricks to steal the road win in overtime. The first period started as more of a chess match as both teams were trying to feel the other out, and get a sense of how they should attack. Danbury did have an early shot advantage for the first half of the period and their aggressive forecheck would result in a goal as Danbury forward Nick Petkovich would break through and pickpocket Philadelphia defenseman Marshall Swanson before cutting to the net and firing a shot past goaltender Benjamin Varsa to open the scoring. A high effort play and a great way for him to get his first goal of the season. The Rebels would counter quickly as two minutes later, Oscar Djurberg would score on a one-timer from teammate Cam Wilson after Wilson floated the puck over to him on a 2-on-1 play. This would open up the period for both teams as they ramped up the aggression. Philadelphia would score again after Zach Greenlund broke into the zone and shot the puck over the far shoulder of Danbury goalie Ty Ferguson. Ferguson would shake off the two unanswered goals to save another six before the period ended. The second period was more defensive on both sides as they put in an effort to limit the shots that their goaltenders faced. Danbury would end up tying the game halfway through the period after Liam Storch scored on a pass from Brent Beswick. Beswick skated the puck around the net which led to a defensive breakdown where two defenders skated after him, leaving Storch wide open in the slot before he fired a quick wristshot past Varsa. The third period was big for both goaltenders as neither would allow a goal. Varsa would save six shots, Ferguson would stop 11 as the teams headed to overtime. Halfway through overtime, Philadelphia would be the team to call game as Paxton Couture would catch a pass from Dylan Moran, skate it into the zone in the middle lane, fire it and score, giving us the final score of 3-2. Couture would be named first star for his OT winner, while Varsa would be named second star for his .917 save percentage and for picking up the win. Petkovich would be named the third star for Danbury after scoring his first goal of the season. Danbury will look to bounce back against New Jersey on Friday, while Philadelphia will try to keep the momentum rolling against Elmira.

Northeastern 3 @ New Hampshire 2 - The Northeastern Generals hang on to earn the regulation win against the New Hampshire Ice Kings after scoring late in the thrifdperiod. This was a chippy game as both teams would have multiple visits to the penalty box. New Hampshire would capitalize on one of the opportunities early as Deke Davidson would receive a pass from Aiden Petroff score on a high rising shot that popped the water bottle of goaltender Gavin Weeks. That would cap off the scoring in the first period as both Weeks and New Hampshire goalie Ethan Moser were stellar in the period, stopping 17 and 12 shots respectively. The second period was just as fast paced as the first. After Northeastern’s Camden Tabb was called for a holding penalty, the penalty kill came out unusually aggressive but it was worth it. Owen O’Rear would steal the puck just outside of the offensive zone, and score on a breakaway tying the game. Additionally, Kyle Moyer would score a goal just as the same penalty expired to extend the lead 2-1, as the penalty killers for Northeastern were showing off their goal scoring touch. Northeastern had a ton of momentum after that but couldn’t get another past Moser and near the two minute mark, the Ice Kings took advantage of a misplay by a Generals defender that say Petroff taking away the puck starting a tic-tac-toe play that led to a Benjamin short goal, and another tie game. The third period saw Northeastern clamp down defensively as they also were taking plenty of shots on Moser who would have an excellent period himself. It wasn’t until the waning minutes when Logan Poulin would score for Northeastern, finishing off a play setup by Peter Koukouvus after he skated around the net and found a wide open Poulin. As they were trying to mount a comeback, New Hampshire would take an unfortunate penalty after Aidan Patton was called for clipping. Northeastern would take a penalty in the last 10 seconds of the game as well but they would win the faceoff and salt the game away on the boards to pick up the regulation win. It doesn’t get easier for New Hampshire as they play the division leading Maryland Black Bears on Friday. Northeastern will get a nice break before traveling to Danbury for a game on October 30th.