The Maine Nordiques’ attack on the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks’ goal was relentless Friday in a 4-2 victory in an NAHL East Division junior hockey game in Danbury, Connecticut.
Maine won its third straight game by outshooting the Hat Tricks 42-23.
“We love a high shot total, but they have to be purposeful shots,” Maine Nordiques coach Matt Pinchevsky said. “We don’t want to settle for low (percentage) shots; we want to make sure our shots are dangerous inside the (slot area), getting over the (goal line) and putting it in the net.”
Air Force commit Brendan Gibbons had a goal and two assists. He was the only forward to score for the Nordiques (5-7-0, 12 points). The other three goals were netted by defensemen.
“Brendan Gibbons loves to score goals and loves to create offense for his team,” Pinchevsky said. “He’s a great leader. … I am happy for someone who’s used to multi-goal, multi-point games — he’s earning a ton of shots every single game.”
Maine goalie Kael DePape stopped 21 shots.
After a scoreless first period, Evan Orloff scored his second goal of the year midway through the second period on the power play. Filip Wiberg and Gibbons had the assists.
Ryan Johnson scored a power-play goal for Danbury (2-14-0, 4 points) late in the opening period.
The Nordiques extended their lead to 4-1 with three goals in the first 10 minutes of the third period. Gibbons second assist set up defenseman John-Paul Steel, who broke the 1-1 tie by beating Danbury goalie Patriks Berzins (38 saves), a University of Maine commit.
David Helledy potted his first goal of the year on a power play about four minutes into the third to extend the lead to 3-1. Oliver Genest and Anthony Achilles set up the tally.
Pinchevsky said Noriques are at their best when the defensemen move the puck.
“They use their mobility to put themselves into position and use their mobility to improve shot selection,” Pinchevsky said. “We got that out of our back end tonight (both offensively and defensively).
Maine went 3-for-5 on the man advantage and Danbury went 1-for-3.
Gibbons scored midway through the period to put the Nordiques up 4-1.
Jake Howard scored later in the period for the Hat Tricks.
Maine will try to week the series Saturday in Danbury at 3:30 p.m.
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