Outlaws VS Warriors Was Quite The Game

Akwesasne - The defending champion Akwesasne Warriors hosted the FHL leading New Jersey Outlaws last night at the Anowarako:wa Arena neither team disappointed last night as 15 pucks found twine in what was a wild affair from the beginning. 

The Warriors came out physical as always looking to dictate the intensity but New Jersey showed up to score. The Outlaws came out and created chance after chance as Warrior players gave up position to make the hits. It all started with a pinch by Simon Desormeaux looking to finish his check left Jeremy Van Hoof to face a two on one and NJ made it count local Brett Liscomb scores assisted by Anthony Battaglia and Gentry Zollars three minutes into the game to take a 1-0. The Warriors shortly after head to the powerplay but it doesn't matter as the counter attack of the Outlaws leads to a shorthanded goal as Zollars buries it from John Goffredo and Battaglia. Long Sault native Brett Liscomb strikes again as the potent line of Goffredo and Battaglia light the lamp to make it 3-0 in favor of the Outlaws. A little over a minute later and former Montreal Canadien Pierre Dagenais bangs in his first goal of the game from Carter Trevisani and Addison Pelkey. Not long after Craig Cole goes off for elbowing and the Outlaws counter the Warriors powerplay leading to a Kevin Cooper shorthanded goal from captain Travis Kauffeldt and Dan Mercier at 13:17. at 18:48 Kauffeldt finds the score sheet again with a goal from Jason Reese and Dan Mcwhinney to close out what was a one sided first period that looked as though there was a rout brewing. 5-1 at the end of the first period.


David Plouffe gets the hook to start the second after allowing five goals on 12 shots. Backup and Akwesasne native Adam Thompson comes in to take the reins. The Warriors come out flying and NJ looks a little off. At 3:15 Pierre Dagenais with a snipe that makes it 5-2 from Wahsontiio Stacey and Kris McCarthy. A couple minutes later Dagenais does it again bangs it in from Nicolas Corbeil and Sylvain Deschatelets to make it 5-3. The Outlaws start to pick it up and tighten up as they realise you can't win a game in the first period. The Warriors are pressing the action until a turnover in the defensive zone leaves John Goffredo to put the puck past Thompson from Matt Puntureri and Kevin Martel. Martin Beaulne answers in the dying minutes of the period with a goal to make it 6-4 from Simon Desormeaux and Kris McCarthy. 6-4 heading into the third and the Warriors are making it a game now.


The third begins with some great back and forth action as the Warriors are relishing a comeback until the Outlaws get a chance and they make it count Kevin Cooper from Kauffeldt and Jason Reese at 6:55. Shortly after Nicolas Corbeil takes a bad penalty and the Outlaws strike again this time on the powerplay to make it 8-4 Outlaws on a goal by Puntureri assists by the beard, Nathan Oke and Goffredo. The Warriors just wouldn't quit though and made it a fight to the finish on an excellent end to end by Carter Trevisani who splits the D and and scores on McWhinney. I can't heap enough praise on Trevisani for this goal it was a true beauty. Trevisani would strike again minutes later to pull the Warriors within two again after Miguel Delisle got stopped point blank twice by McWhinney but dishes to Trevisani who let a slapshot go to make it 8-6. Outlaws scored on the powerplay to close this one out but an awesome game from both teams.

The old saying you can't win a game in the first but you can lose it rings true in this one. The Warriors play the Outlaws again tonight on the Island and it's going to be another great game so come out and show your support! Tonight marks the return of Ahmed Mahfouz and Paul Shantz from suspensions. A four point night which included a hat-trick sees Pierre Dagenais put up 7 points in the last two games.

Have your say... Who wins tonights game? Will Mahfouz and Shantz's return tip the scales in the Warriors favor or are the New Jersey Outlaws still to much to handle?

Warriors Victorious In OT Thriller

                                                 Photo credit: Aspen Oakes

Akwesasne - The Warriors played host to the Danville Dashers last night in what was a highly entertaining game from start to finish and had the crowd into it from the first puck drop as the fans were treated to the Pierre Dagenais show once again.


The game starts out with a furious pace as both teams tried to get on the board first and it was the hard working Danville squad bending the twine first on a goal by Dustin Skinner assists to Dean Yakura and Nicolas Katsiyianis at 5:26 of the first period. It wouldn't take the Warriors long to answer though as they pressured the Dashers not allowing the puck out of their zone in what was a very workmanlike effort from the Warriors and it led to their first goal from Pierre Dagenais assisted by Nicolas Corbeil and Sylvain Deschatelets 9:18 into the first But Danville wasn't done yet and took advantage of another chance as Ky Moje scored from Justin Barr at 14:26. That would cap an energetic first period as the Dashers lead 2-1 after the one.


The second period was no different with both teams pressing the action but neither team is able to score in the second as the goalies put on a show of their own with Breton Lindoff making some big saves only to watch Adam Thompson do the same when called upon. Some chances at each end and a couple saves by the posts sees the score remain 2-1 Danville after two.


The third starts off with a bang as the players seemed to come out with a spark and the Warriors grab all the momentum early when Pierre Dagenais bangs one home on the powerplay from Carter Trevisani and Sylvain Deschatelets at 2:49 of the third and Akwesasne looks fired up. It doesn't take long for the next one when Miguel Delisle gains the zone and dumps the puck around the boards Martin Beaulne wins a battle for the puck and dishes to Pelkey to cap a great play at 4:34 of the third to make it 3-2 Akwesasne. Both team continue trading chances in the following minutes and Danville takes a costly hooking penalty putting the Warriors on the powerplay setting up the next goal by Nicolas Corbeil who sniped the top left corner assisted by Jeremy Van Hoof and Sylvain Deschatelets, a powerplay goal at 15:12 of the third.

                                                    Photo Credit: Aspen Oakes
In the dying minutes the Dashers refuse to quit. Getting the puck in the zone leads to a two on one and the Dashers split Thompson as the Dashers pull within one a goal by Ryan Stern from Dustin Skinner and Igor Batora with 1:35 left in the game. The Dashers won't quit bringing Lindoff to the bench for the extra attacker and it pays off for them when Billy Hunt gets a soft shot on net that trickles past Thompson. Assists to Hironori Kobayashi and Ray Tremblay with :38 left in the third period... We are heading to overtime! 4-4 in a thriller.

                                                      Photo Credit: Aspen Oakes
Three on three sudden death and the pucks dropped. Both teams scrambling and trading chances early as the wide open ice surface is being fully utilised. A few pucks te goaltenders and end up in the netting in the first minute. It doesn't take long though for this one to be decided as Pierre Dagenais gets a semi-breakaway and sends a bomb of a slapshot top left leaving Lindoff no chance to react. Assists to Carter Trevisani and Martin Beaulne 1:32 into the overtime period and this one is over ending another gritty performance from the Dashers but Pierre Dagenais's hat-trick proves to much in the end and the Akwesasne Warriors defeat the Danville Dashers 5-4 in overtime.

Next up for the Warriors is the league leading New Jersey Outlaws on Wednesday

Plouffe Stand Tall As Warriors Win In OT

 

Massena, NY - The puck is dropped for the first and less than a minute in Casey Swamp gets taken into the boards early by Harrington as the teams begin shoving and jawing at one another.  Penalty called and Akwesasne goes on the power play. David Lun manages to get a mile behind the Warriors defense for a breakaway but David Plouffe shuts the door for his first stop as the Warriors kill off the penalty. Cape Cod goes to the power play next but fail to generate any real chances as Akwesasne presses and keeps the Bluefins from setting up. Shortly after killing the penalty Akwesasne gets on the board as Mahfouz pull his defender creates a two on one and feeds it to Nicolas Corbeil who goes top shelf, 1-0 Warriors. Warriors go on to successfully kill another penalty. A couple turnovers and the Bluefins are pressuring the Warriors but Plouffe has been up to the task thus far. The teams are back and forth trading chances to close out what has been an energetic first period but the Bluefins outshoot Akwesasne 21-6.

Were back for the second period and in under a minute Akwesasne is heading to the sin bin. 1:10 into the second and Cape Cod sets up and bangs in it’s first goal on the power play to tie it 1-1. A big hit by Frey on Swamp and there is a penalty called for interference as Akwesasne goes to the power play. Not long after that call Jean-Rene Forget goes off to even things up. Akwesasne manages to kill off the remaining minute as the teams return to five on five play. Less than a minute later Pierre Dagenais puts the puck in the net to make it 2-1 from Dan Tessier and Jean-Rene Forget.

The third is more of the same as Warriors continue the march to the penalty box but manage to kill off a couple. Midway through the third Brad Surdam knots it up for the Bluefins from Hutton and Sabky. 2-2. A late penalty by Patrice Bilodeau send the Warriors into overtime down a man.

The Bluefins are all over the Warriors and manage to get some quality chances on Plouffe but David is standing on his head tonight and keeps them in it. They kill off the four on three and shortly after Sylvain Deschatelets connects with a streaking Nicolas Corbeil who freezes the goaltender and goes top shelf to win it for Warriors 3-2.

David Plouffe stood on his head in his return between the pipes stopping 47 of 49 shots to keep the Warriors in it. Corbeil also had another strong performance but the lack of discipline continues to hamper the Warriors as they took eight penalties but did well on the penalty kill (7 for 8)

Forget about it : Warriors hang on to beat Danville 5-4

Akwesasne ONT- A very entertaining game despite a sloppy start for a Danville team that cannot afford to make mistakes and the final score shows just how important a good start is. A big night for newly signed Jean-Rene Forget.

 

The first period begins with the Warriors Jean-Rene Forget making a big return to the lineup as he nets two goals in the first three minutes of play to make it 2-0. His first from Dan Tessier and Pierre Dagenais. His second from Dagenais and Sylvain Deschatelets. Danville manages to tighten up and kill off a penalty then go onto the powerplay. They press the attack and have the Warriors backchecking hard but fail to capitalise on the opportunity though they look to have shaken off the rust from a 15 hour drive and have began to push back.

 

Warriors narrowly miss on a shot by Deschatelets. He wristed it from the point and grabbed his own rebound. Sylvain is all over the ice he follows that with a deke but loses posession then wins a board battle gets the puck to Corbeil who gets hauled down and it's a penalty shot. Corbeil skates wide closes in and has the goalie beat but fails to lift the puck over the pad on the back hand. Danville follows that up with a breakdown in their own end and Dagenais bangs in the puck through the Danville netminder with assists to Tessier and Forget. Colin Rice of Danville and Mike Stacey of the Warriors skate out on the next play and drop the gloves. Stacey overpowers the smaller Rice to the ice as the linesman step in. Clock runs down and the players skate off for the intermission.

 

The second period starts out a little slower than the first as Dashers are out pressing but failing to get out of their own zone and when they do it's point shots that are not troubling goaltender Adam Thompson. Warriors score again to make it 4-0. Pierre Dagenais from Simone Desormeaux and Dan Tessier as a big scrumb in front leads to another Warriors goal. The referee points to the net to signal a goal and a fight in front of the net ensues. Players are shoving as Simone Desormeaux has the gloves off and is throwing punches. Penalties to both teams but the Warriors pick up two minors at the end of the scrum and the Dashers capitalise on the powerplay. Billy Hunt from Ray Tremblay and Ryan Huggett to pull within three. 4-1 Akwesasne. Raby a few plays later grabs ahold of Hironori Kobayashi by the back of the jersey and pulls him around throwing him to the ice. Raby picks up a two minute minor and a 10 minute misconduct. Warriors kill that penalty but go straight back to the box on a kneeing call. Ahmed Mahfouz has the Warriors on their sixth straight penalty kill. Make it seven as the Warriors Nicolas Corbiel makes it a 5 on 3 for 1:06. Some close chances but they kill the first and Mahfouz is back out on the kill. A delay in the action as Adam Thompson gets taken down and his defence stands up for him. Some punches and challenges are issued but Danville is the only one penalised.

 

A powerplay for Akwesasne but Danville is pushing them back and Akwesasne is having trouble breaking out. A shot by Danville point blank but Thompson makes a beautiful save. Danville kills the penalty by continuing to press allowing only one shot on the power play. Dashers score on a point shot that was tipped in front. Tremblay with the tip from Phillippe Ste Laurent and Dean Yakura. 4-2 Akwesasne as the Warriors are leaving the door open as they skate off for the intermission.

 

The third starts out with some back and forth play a few shots but neither goaltender is being challenged. Akwesasne is just making turnover after turnover as the Dashers clog the neutral zone. A turnover and a slip by Trevisani leads to a two on one but the Dashers fail to score missing wide. Dashers hard work pays off as Moje scores to make it 4-3 and pulls the Dashers within one. A Dasher penalty and Trevisani rings one off the post but the Warriors are now 0 for 4 on the power play. Nicolas Corbeil scores for Akwesasne with some beautiful stick work. Lindoff was taken down and there was a scrum in the crease which allowed Corbeil to take his time and pick his shot and he goes top shelf. Assisted by Ahmed Mahfouz and Sylvain Deschatelets. 5-3 Akwesasne. Dashers goal by Ray Tremblay from Ryan Stern.  5-4 Akwesasne with a little more than three minutes to go. Warriors penalty as Carter Trevisani is going off for slashing with 1:01 to go in the third. Warriors manage to slavage a 5-4 win against a gritty Danville Dashers team. 

 

Danville really put on a show in Akwesane tonight. They worked harder than the Warriors and if it wasn't for the poor start in the first likely did enough to win this game. The Warriors continued to try and bully but the Dashers worked through it and nearly stole another game from the defending champions. The Warriors lack of discipline caused ruts in the ice leading to the sin bin but despite that goaltender Adam Thompson improves to 5-0-1 while Breton Lindoff of Danville drops to 1-9-1 as the Warriors pick up their 10th regulation win of the season. Warriors return on tomorrow Friday the 13th to take on the Cape Cod Bluefins while the Dashers head to 1000 Islands to take on the Privateers Wednesday night.

Article by Joseph Francis

2011: Stories Of The FHL Year

Akwesasne wins the Comissioners Cup

Akwesasne earlier this year won the Comissioners Cup in a finals meeting with the Brooklyn Aviators(Then known as the New York Aviators). Hard work payed off as the team became the first and so far only team to win the leagues title. Going 18-4 at home saw the Warriors finish the season only behind the Aviators in the standings but the team finished on a rough note with the absence of key players.

Those players returned in time for the playoffs and quickly made Akwesasne the team to beat. 1000 Islands was the first to stand in Akwesasne's way. The Warriors sent the Privateers packing in 4 games taking the series three games to one.

Akwesasne then went on to do the same to the Aviators. Winning games one and two in Brooklyn made life much easier as the team returned home. Under pressure to win it on home ice the Warriors dropped the third game 6-3 but came back a couple days later in what was arguably the best game of the season and playoffs. It was close. Trading goals until Akwesasne got the upper hand late forcing New York to pull the goalie. Pierre Dagenais beat a diving defender and casually skated the puck to the net and tapped it in sending the arena into party mode.

Danbury gives new teams the punk test





Danbury is up to their old tricks. A team full of tough guys. Naturally there's going to be a fight whether you want one or not. I've figured out Danbury's game plan though. Fight. Fight more. Then let Alec Kirschner take advantage of you team... Effective.

Over 300 penalty minutes were handed out to the teams including various suspensions of different lengths. You Call That Hockey? Drop the gloves. Do it man to man. In a recent game between the Warriors and Privateers this is exactly what happened. One player from 1000 Islands wanted a bench brawl. What did happen was three fights in the first five seconds. They got it out of their system and now we play hockey. I'm not endorsing mugging guys who are not fighters and that's often what happens in bench brawls. 

Relocation, Expansion, Retraction

The FHL's rush for expansion has come with pitfalls. Some of which are new owners being thrown on hot coals when their teams aren't filling the building.

Broome County Barons moved to Cape Cod and becomes the Bluefins.

New Jersey has taken the league by storm in their first season and they continue to set the bar for marketing and recruiting as they are getting it done on and off the ice.

Danville is over 800 miles away from the nearest team and it's truly stunning that the team continues to have the support of the league. Expansion is nice but when you do it too fast and without much thought to the fact guys are not flying first class in team jets it really becomes a pain in the ass. Oh and they won a stunning two games in 2011.

The Vermont Wild folded. They didn't last as the team was losing money by the bundle and ownership was quick to cut their losses. A team in Vermont would have been nice. The proximity is very manageable and the team would benefit from fans of other teams making the trip with their respective teams.

Delaware Federals the team brought in to "fill the hole" Vermont's left... once lost 18-0. Moving on.

I want to thank you all for a great year. It's been a lot of fun to be even a small part of this league. We appreciate the support received in such a short time and we look forward to expanding to accomodate each fan base in the league. If you haven't already go to the You Call That Hockey? facebook page and click like. If your interested in writing about your team send me a message or leave a comment here. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

GO WARRIORS!

Akwesasne @ Privateers: THE NUMBERS

Privateers lead the season series 4 games to 3 coming into tonight's match up

Tonight the 1000 Island Privateers host the Akwesasne Warriors at the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center in what will be another heated match up between the rivals.


Who to watch
Akwesasne:
League leading sniper Pierre Dagenais has 53 points(30 goals, 23 assists) in 19 games

Playmaker Sylvain Deschatelets who is seventh in league scoring with 8 goals and 29 assists(37 points) in 18 games

Nicolas Corbeil with 26 points (13 goals 13 assists) in 15 games


1000 Islands:
Paul Kelly who has 41 points(14 goals 27 assists) in 22 games

Justin Levac with 38 points (20 goals 18 assists) in 20 games

Mike Richard 35 points(11 goals 24 assists) in 20 games


Akwesasne has potted 96 goals while 1000 Islands has 119 and leads the league in goals for.

With a handful of offencise players it always seems to be a rough night in nets.

Between the pipes:
David Plouffe (6-7, 4.66 GAA, .889 save percentage)
against
Matt Anthony (13-4-1, 3.42 GAA, .896 save percentage)