Bluefins fall 4-2 to Whalers

With a depleted squad due to several league issued suspensions, the Danbury Whalers came into the Center looking to rebound after losing 3 of their last 4 games.

The Bluefins, coming off a tough loss to the first place New Jersey Outlaws on Friday night, were looking to get their 3^rd win in their last 4 games. The Bluefins were without standout defensemen Luke Frey, who sustained what may be a season ending foot injury in last night’s contest and Stephen Brown who has been out for several weeks with a broken foot.

Injuries and suspensions aside this was guaranteed to be an excellent Federal Hockey League contest between the two arch rivals. The large crowd on hand included 100+ members of the Lower Cape Youth hockey organization, The Community Leadership Council of Cape Cod and the Pembroke Youth Hockey Organization.

Danbury opened up the scoring at 9:05 of the first period when Jay Meloff beat Bluefin goalie Tyler O’Brien for his 2nd goal of the season. O’Brien’s goal was assisted by Jason McCrimmon. Both teams were hitting hard and the action was furious but neither could find the back of the net for the remainder of the first. In the second period, the Bluefins went on a power play and at the 4:25 mark, Bluefins leading scorer Brad Surdam tipped home a Stephen Kelley slapper from the point to make it 1-1. It was Surdam’s 19th goal and 40th point on the season.

About six minutes later, the Whalers struck again when Sean O’Malley, assisted by  Martin Moucha, scored on the power play, making it 2-1 Danbury. At 14:47 the Bluefins Kyle Granville, after a mad scramble in front, picked up a bouncing puck in the slot and fired it past Danbury goalie Peter Vetri knotting the core at 2.

It was Granville’s first goal as a Bluefin. After a tripping penalty sent Bluefin defensemen Stephen Kelley to the box, the Whalers once again capitalized when O’Malley beat O’Brien. The power play goal was O’Malley’s second of the game. After 2 periods the score remained 3-2 in favor of the visitors. However, the hometown squad held a slight edge in shots at 31-30.

Knowing the importance and sense of urgency, both teams came out flying in the third period. Although neither team could score for most of the period, the hits kept coming and the action included several near fights and plenty of jawing between players, coaches and fans. The score remained 3-2 until the Bluefins pulled O’Brien for the man advantage with just under 2 minutes remaining. O’Malley lifted a length of the ice shot that trickled into the empty Bluefin net and the Bluefins dropped yet another heartbreaker 4-2 but again played a great Federal Hockey League matchup.

The Bluefins play again at home on Friday, February 10^th vs the New Jersey Outlaws at 7pm at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center. Great tickets are still available at the HYCC prior to the game or by calling 508-280-6699. Thinking about a company or group outing to a game? The Bluefins Group rates are also available.

Contributed by Tim Lus.