The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks will travel to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine this weekend for a three-game series against the Maine Nordiques. Let’s take a look at the keys to the weekend.
Record
Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (24 games, 12-10-2, 26 points, sixth in East Division)
Maine Nordiques (34 games, 22-11-1, 45 points, second in East Division)
Tale of the Tape
The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks traveled to Maine for a tightly battled three game series against the Nordiques in mid-February, winning one game and losing two. The two losses were games decided by a single goal. Danbury led the series goal-differential 11-10.
A big key to Danbury’s success will be their penalty kill unit- and even more importantly, discipline. The Nordiques scored three goals (including the game-winner) on nine opportunities on Feb. 21. Not to mention the three powerplay goals scored by the New Jersey Titans on Wednesday night. Staying at 5-on-5 will be paramount for this Jr. Hat Tricks team.
Danbury needs to keep pushing to qualify for the Robertson Cup Playoffs. Sitting just three points behind the fourth-place Maryland Black Bears, the Jr. Hat Tricks have a big opportunity to catch up while the Bears battle the division-leading Johnstown Tomahawks this weekend. Forward Levi Stauber was feeling confident after a two-goal performance Wednesday night, commenting, “Maine’s a good team. But so are we.”
Players to Watch
Shane Murphy, F (DHT)- Murphy scored seven of his 11 points this season against the Maine Nordiques in their first three-game series back in February. If Murphy can find a way to shine again this time around against the Nordiques, it will be a major boost to the Jr. Hat Tricks.
Tyler Gaulin, F (MNE)- The Nordiques’ University of Maine commit is leading the way with 27 points this season. While he had just one assist against the Hat Tricks in their first series, he had seven points in eight games in February. He’s a player capable of erupting at any moment, registering six multi-point performances on the season.
Levi Stauber, F (DHT)- Stauber, a Michigan Tech hockey commit, scored two goals including the overtime winner in Danbury’s 5-4 win Wednesday night. Stauber has been the hot hand for Danbury, posting five points in his last six games.
How to watch
Live streaming will be featured on HockeyTV. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Follow @JrHatTricksNAHL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for important updates on the Jr. Hat Tricks all season long.
Written by Johnny Alexandre