Blog Posts - 2023
Danbury Hat Tricks win the 2022-23 Commissioners Cup Playoffs
The Danbury Hat Tricks are officially your 2023 FPHL Commissioners Cup Champions. I’ll sum up game five against the Carolina Thunderbirds and then share exclusive interviews with some champions from throughout the playoffs.
Michael Marchesan scored not even a minute into the first period, giving the Hat Tricks an early lead. Josh Keopplinger tied it up 1-1 at the end of the period. Five penalties were given out, with 10 minutes total in the box. Shots were 19-9 in favor of the Birds after 20 minutes.
Tobias Odjick scored the only goal in period two on a power play. Tucker Forth got a major penalty and game misconduct for an illegal check to the head of Danbury’s captain, Johnny Ruiz. 2-1 Danbury after 40, Carolina led the shots 25-17.
The Thunderbirds tied the game halfway through the period on a power play after Brendan Sheehan received a five-minute major for boarding. Game tied at two after three periods.
Marchesan scored his second goal of the night, assisted by Xavier Abdella. His goal at 11:58 brought the Danbury Hat Tricks to victory.
He said the previous night that the Thunderbirds had to come through Danbury and that no one could do that, especially with the home team’s success, and he was right. He was named MVP of the Commissioner’s Cup Playoffs, with eight goals and five assists in just ten games in this playoff season.
Zach Pamaylaon, with the game-winning goal in game four, commented on his motivation when getting on the ice, especially during playoffs. “I gotta thank God for this. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. Other than that, it’s my family, my parents specifically. My teammates and the coaching staff we’re all a huge family… I’d do anything for my rabbit family.” The Flying Hawaiian’s first act after winning was to call his mom and tell her the great news.
An impressive two game-winning goals for Brendan Dowler in this playoff season, he has the series-clinching goal in round 2 against the Binghamton Blackbears and game 3 of the finals against Carolina, keeping the Hat Tricks from getting swept. After that game 3, Dowler was definitely feeling the good energy and talked about that thrilling second-period goal. “At the time, you don’t know if it’s going to be the game-winner or not… It’s awesome no matter who gets it; it’s a great feeling.”
For the first time in franchise history, the Danbury Hat Tricks collected their first Commissioner’s Cup and claimed the title of FPHL champions. They have had an incredible season, leading the league in 44 wins for most of the regular season.
This season is only Danbury’s third in the FPHL, and they’re already making an impact. They have what it takes to make it in this league, and they will prove that again, as they have these past seven months. They are here to play their game the Danbury way, and everyone better watch out.
Brian Wilson and Goaltending for the Danbury Hat Tricks
Goaltending is a huge part of hockey in any league, and the Danbury Hat Tricks’ Brian Wilson excels at that aspect. Danbury leads in wins, 39, and 27 of them are thanks to Wilson. The Hat Tricks are nearing the end of the 2022/23 regular season with a playoff spot clinched and the title of Empire Division Champions.
This season may only be Brian Wilson’s second with Danbury, but he is not new to the sport. The Ontario native played for three junior teams over four years: Kanata Lasers in Ottawa, Okotoks Oilers in Alberta, and the Powell River Kings in British Columbia. He attended Niagara University and played NCAA hockey for the four years he was enrolled. In 2021, he debuted professionally with the Evansville Thunderbolts in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). Since 2021, he has been called up to the AHL and ECHL four times.
On March 3, Wilson led his team to a 5-1 victory against the Elmira Mammoth, earning him the night’s first star. Then again, on March 31, he was the first star after a 5-0 shutout against the Delaware Thunder. After both games, he heavily praised his team’s hard work to make his job as a goalie easier, saving 26 shots against Elmira and only 17 against Delaware.
Wilson leads the entire Federal Prospect Hockey League in wins, 27, and is second in the league in goals against average and save percentage, 2.67 and .919. Based on these stats, he has proven himself worthy as a massive asset to this team.
When asked about being called up to other leagues, despite only playing one game, he explained how being up there is a learning experience to take in what’s happening at the higher levels. He tries to incorporate what he’s seen in the AHL/ECHL into his game in the FPHL.
During our interview, he talked about his favorite goalie growing up, Carey Price, despite being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. I had asked him which arena, other than Danbury’s, was his favorite to play at, and he said either Binghampton or Columbus since they had drilled in goal pegs, making the net stay on better.
To end one of our interviews, we discussed his go-to pregame song. He said he didn’t have a specific one, but one that came to mind was Best Friend by Foster the People, specifically the Lost Kings Remix, which can be found on Soundcloud or YouTube.
Even with his success in helping the Hat Tricks to 114 points, Brian Wilson has so much more potential ahead, and he will capitalize on it.
Brendan Dowler Finding his Spot in the FPHL
While the Danbury Hat Tricks forward/defenseman Brendan Dowler may have just joined the Federal Prospects Hockey League this year, he is already making a beneficial impact. He’s played 37 games and has been a crucial aspect in helping the Hat Tricks to 85 points.
The Hat Tricks are first in the Empire Division, the teams located in New England, and second in the whole league. They have 29 wins, 6 regulation losses, and 5 overtime losses. They lead the league in overtime wins, 5, and penalty minutes, 1165.
Back in December of 2022, I was lucky enough to ask Brendan Dowler some questions alongside teammate Dmitry Kuznetsov.
On Saturday, December 10, the Hat Tricks hosted the Motor City Rockers and were victorious with a score of 5-2. Both Jonny Ruiz and Michael Marchesan scored 2 goals for their home team.
The game started wildly, with Daniel Amesbury dropping his gloves at the opening whistle and fist-fighting a Motor City player. The home team was relentless through the game, totaling 24 penalty minutes. When asked about rougher games with a more physical aspect, Dowler noted that the tension and fighting “gets the team all ready to go.” Teammate Dmitry Kuznetsov pointed out that fighting is a part of the game, a part where the Hat Tricks tend to excel.
A week earlier, the team suffered its first regulation loss to the Columbus River Dragons. The 0-5 loss ended their 8-game win streak, but Kuznetsov said, “It was a weight on our shoulders, but one team wins, and one team loses.” Dowler suffered an injury from a stick to the face, requiring stitches., “It’s a tough go, but it is what it is. Games like that with teams that are that strong, it’s a good wake-up call,” Dowler said.
December 2, the day before the loss, the Hat Tricks won in a shootout against that same team, the River Dragons. Dowler scored early in the first period, giving the team the go-ahead goal. In an overtime shootout, Kuznetsov scored one of only two goals, both by the Hat Tricks. Both players praised goalie Brian Wilson for leading them to victory.
When asked about their role models and choice of numbers, they had great answers.
Kuznetsov said he looked up to two players growing up, Evgeny Kuznetsov and former player Alexander Semin, who inspired his original number, 28. For this season, he decided to change his number and “doesn’t think there is any meaning behind 77.”
Dowler’s number, on the other hand, 11, was one he had used growing up. He said it was “always the tough guys” he looked up to since “it’s a key piece of the game now,” and specifically mentioned Brendan Shanahan, a former NHLer who played for a handful of professional teams.
Based on 37 games and a five-minute talk, it’s evident that Dowler has found his place on the team and has the skills and mindset to achieve great things. I’m positive he’s going to make a name for himself, so watch out for Brendan Dowler.