The Jr. Hat Tricks made sure their first road trip was a successful one. Edvard Nordlund stopped 23 of 25 and Mark D’Agostino potted a pair of goals as the Tricks took down the Northeast Generals 3-2.
D’Agostino opened the scoring early in the first period, wiring a wrist shot past Generals goaltender Joey Stanizzi off an offensive-zone face-off win. The Generals would respond minutes later with a goal from Zach Lindewirth, leaving the score tied at one heading into the first intermission.
Once more generating pressure from a key offensive zone draw, Valentino Passarelli buried a backhander to put Danbury on top. Later in the second period while on the powerplay, Cody Hoban set up D’Agostino with a picture-perfect cross-slot backhand pass, teeing up a one-timer that gave the Hat Tricks a 3-1 lead.
Kyle Schroeder would bring the Generals within one, but Nordlund held firm to keep Danbury on top. The Jr. Hat Tricks allowed just three shots in the third period to fend off a comeback effort.
“Our focus this week in practice was playing a full 60 minutes, being mentally stronger as a group and capitalizing on face-offs,” commented head coach Billy McCreary after the game. “We scored two goals off face-offs and withstood a 6-on-5 in the final minute. We’re very proud of the efforts this group as a staff.”
“With the way everyone is buying into our system and sacrificed themselves today, it made it a lot easier to play between the pipes today,” said Nordlund of his first victory in orange-and-black. “I’m grateful for the entire team’s performance, and we’re focused on heading to Maryland next week.”
The Jr. Hat Tricks will take on the Maryland Black Bears next Friday and Saturday. Live streaming will be featured on HockeyTV.