The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks host the Maine Nordiques this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a weekend triple-header at Danbury Arena. Tickets are available in limited quantity by clicking here. Let’s take a look at our keys to the series:
Record
Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – 29 games, 14-13-2 (30 points, 5th in East Division)
Maine Nordiques – 40 games, 26-13-1 (53 points, 2nd in East Division)
Tale of the Tape
Maine has gotten the better of the Jr. Hat Tricks in four of their six meetings this season, though three of those four losses have come by just one goal. Danbury enters this series having split last weekend’s set with the Maryland Black Bears. Maine, meanwhile, took two of three from the New Jersey Titans last weekend including a dramatic 4-3 shootout victory.
Danbury still has its playoff hopes very much alive, sitting just two points behind Maryland for fourth place in the division. The Black Bears play a pair of games against the Northeast Generals this weekend.
This series against the Nordiques will present the Jr. Hat Tricks with an important opportunity to earn crucial points and ultimately the fourth and final playoff spot. Danbury holds five games in hand on the Black Bears.
Players to watch
Geno Pichora, G (DHT)- The University of Minnesota commit had a shutout in the most recent Jr. Hat Tricks victory last Saturday, stopping all 24 shots he faced. Pichora has started three of the last four Danbury games, posting a .970% save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average over that stretch. Given his red-hot performance and Josh Seeley still being eased back into the goalie rotation following an injury, Pichora will likely see at least one of the three games this weekend.
Nolan Barrett, D (DHT)- Barrett was the offensive leader in the most recent Jr. Hat Tricks game, scoring the deciding goal in the third period against the Maryland Black Bears. Barrett, who picked up an assist on the Porter Schachle empty-netter in Saturday’s win, has seven points in six games against the Nordiques this season.
Stefan Owens, F (MNE)- Owens, who leads the Nordiques with 30 points this season, had two goals and an assist in Maine’s 3-0 win over the New Jersey Titans on Sunday. Owens potted a pair against the Jr. Hat Tricks back on February 21st.
How to watch
Tickets are available in a limited quantity by clicking here. Live streaming will be available on HockeyTV. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Written by Johnny Alexandre