After falling behind by a goal early in the third period, the Maine Nordiques responded in a big way.

The Nordiques scored the final three goals of the game to down the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks 4-2 on Saturday in Danbury, Connecticut.

“Finding ways to win, that’s how we are designed, with the depth of our roster,” Maine Nordiques coach Matt Pinchevsky said. “…I believe that’s where we are finding our wins from. And, obviously, we don’t have any success whatsoever if it wasn’t for the goalies we have.”

Kael DePape made nine saves for the Nordiques, and Thomas Heaney added 11 after entering the game early in the second period. Pinchevsky said the change was made to try and give the team a spark and also to help break Danbury’s forecheck, with the way Heaney plays the puck.

Maine (31-17-3, 65 points) has now won five games in a row. Danbury drops to 3-48-5 (11 points).

Seth Murch started the third-period rally for the Nordiques, scoring an unassisted goal with just over 12 minutes left to tie the game 2-2.

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Murch has been heavily relied upon for playing defense first, and this was his first goal of the season.

“Seth Murch is the epitome of defense and he embodies the concept of defending, protecting, securing and maintaining in terms of the game,” Pinchevsky said. “All of those descriptions are a part of his résumé, and he’s incredibly supportive of whoever he’s partnered with.”

Kellen Murphy scored a goal from John-Paul Steele and Aidan Coupe with 8:42 remaining for the game-winner.

Jonny Meiers capped off the scoring less than two minutes later, with Brendan Gibbons providing the assist.

“Jonny Meiers has done a great job in some of our centermen absences and picking up the slack, and showing Division I schools he’s a dynamic forward that can play wing and center,” Pinchevsky said. “To see him utilize his speed and his release by beating a Division I goaltender with a pro-style shot.”

Quinn Kennedy put the Jr. Hat Tricks on the board first, scoring about 12 minutes into the first period. Danbury goalie Thomas Kiesewetter (32 saves) notched his first assist of the season on the goal.

“In the first intermission, we talked about fear,” Pinchevsky said. “The fear that’s caused by when Danbury has some success in their building. A lot of teams fear being that team that loses to Danbury or that team that gives one up, that team doesn’t win a game when they are supposed to. We embrace fear, we feel fear is healthy and good. It keeps us on guard, and it keeps us vigilant and honest.”

Coupe knotted the game at 1-1 a tick under three minutes into the second, with Filip Wiberg and Nicholas Bernardo assisting on the power-play goal.

Logan Nickerson gave Danbury the lead back just over two minutes into the third, with Kennedy tallying the assist.

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