Post Game Report Friday, October 23, 2026

TWIN CITY THUNDERBIRDS at DANBURY HAT TRICKS

DANBURY DOWNED BY TWIN CITY 5-1 IN HOME OPENER

By Patrick Grudberg

Danbury, CT -The Danbury Hat Tricks suffered their first loss of the season Friday night as the Twin City Thunderbirds took a 6-2 win at the Danbury Ice Arena.

The Thunderbirds, playing their first game of the 2026-27 season, came out firing in the first period. At 5:14, Joe McCormick opened the scoring with his first career goal. Two minutes later, Zach White beat Kyle Penton on a breakaway to double the visitors’ lead. Twin City added another, this time on the powerplay, one minute later when Joey Colatarci’s one-timer snuck past Penton for the Thunderbirds’ third. Later in the period, Twin City converted on the powerplay yet again as Dominic Dumas found the net, giving the Thunderbirds a 4-0 lead after one.

Genaro Fronduto got Danbury on the scoreboard to start the second period off a wrister on the powerplay. Despite outshooting the Thunderbirds 19-12, the score would remain at 4-1 after two periods.

Twenty-five seconds into the third, Scott Swanson won a loose puck in the neutral zone and slotted home a breakaway to make it 5-1. Fronduto would score his second of the night at 8:50 to cut it to a three-goal game. However, with 1:27 remaining, Brandon Logan scored a sixth for the visitors, sealing the 6-2 victory.

The Hat Tricks and Thunderbirds go at it again tomorrow night at the Danbury Ice Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:00pm.

Thunderbirds Open Tenth Season with 6-2 Victory over Hat Tricks

By Kendall Grayson

Danbury, CT -The Twin City Thunderbirds opened their tenth season in franchise history with a convincing 6-2 road victory over the Danbury Hat Tricks Friday night at Danbury Ice Arena. Six different players scored for Twin City in the victory, while Zach White led the Thunderbirds with a four-point performance. The win marked Jon Buttitta's first regular season victory as Head Coach of the Thunderbirds, and gave Twin City a 1-0-0 record to begin the 2026-2027 campaign.

Joey McCormick opened the scoring for the Thunderbirds at 5:14 of Friday's opening period. McCormick's goal was scored even-strength, and was assisted by Dominic Dumas and Jack Johansen. Zach White doubled Twin City's advantage just over two minutes later with an even-strength goal at 7:31 of the 1st period. Brendan Logan and Joey McCormick each collected an assist on the scoring play. Joey Colatarci extended the Thunderbirds' lead to three goals with a powerplay goal at 8:51 of the opening period. Colatarci's goal was assisted by Zach White and Zach Papapetros. Dominic Dumas netted Twin City's fourth goal of the period at 14:47, scoring on the powerplay with assists from Joey Colatarci and Zach Papapetros. The Thunderbirds outshot the Hat Tricks by a 21-14 margin during Friday's opening period, and entered the 2nd period with a commanding 4-0 lead.

Danbury's Genaro Fronduto scored the only goal of Friday's middle period just fifty-two seconds after the opening faceoff. Fronduto's powerplay goal was assisted by Stefan Miklakos and Conor Witherspoon, cutting the Thunderbirds' advantage to three goals. Neither team recorded another scoring play during the period. Twin City was outshot by a 19-12 margin during the 2nd period, but maintained a 4-1 advantage entering the final period of Friday's season-opening matchup.

Scott Swanson restored Twin City's four-goal advantage just twenty-five seconds into the 3rd period. Swanson's even-strength goal was assisted by Zach White and Jacob Schnapp, giving the Thunderbirds a 5-1 lead. Danbury's Genaro Fronduto scored his second goal of the night at 8:50 of the final period to bring the Hat Tricks within three goals. Fronduto's even-strength scoring play was assisted by Stefan Miklakos and Conor Witherspoon. Brendan Logan netted the final goal of Friday's matchup at 18:33 of the 3rd period to secure a 6-2 victory for the Thunderbirds. Logan's goal was scored even-strength, and was assisted by Zach White and Jacob Schnapp. Twin City outshot Danbury by a 16-11 margin during the final period, and held a 49-44 shots on goal advantage during the contest.

Alex Aslanidis recorded the win in goal for Twin City in a 42-save-on-44-shot performance. Kyle Penton dropped the decision in net for Danbury, making 43 saves on 49 shots during Friday's matchup. The Thunderbirds scored twice on the powerplay in the opening period, while the Hat Tricks recorded one powerplay goal during the contest.

Zach White was named the 1st Star of Friday night's game after recording one goal and three assists for four points. Teammate Dominic Dumas collected 2nd Star honors with a goal and an assist, while Danbury's Genaro Fronduto was named the 3rd Star after scoring both goals for the Hat Tricks. Friday's season opener was played in front of 2,027 fans at Danbury Ice Arena.

The Thunderbirds will return to action tomorrow night for the second game of their opening weekend series against the Danbury Hat Tricks. Saturday's matchup will also be played at Danbury Ice Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00pm ET. The game will be streamed live on ThunderbirdsTV through YouTube and Facebook, with radio coverage on WTOB.

BINGHAMTON BLACK BEARS at COLUMBUS RIVER DRAGONS

Dragons Rally Past Defending Champions for First Win of the Season

By Devin Dobek

Columbus, GA -After a winless road opening weekend, the Columbus River Dragons returned home Friday night eager to make a statement in front of their fans against the three-time defending Commissioner’s Cup Champion Binghamton Black Bears. In a back-and-forth battle that featured six goals through the first two periods, the Dragons delivered when it mattered most in the third, as Yaroslav Yevdokimov and Tyler Barrow found the back of the net to secure a 5-4 victory. Behind 37 saves from rookie goaltender Doug Wakelyn, Columbus earned its first win of the 2026-27 campaign in front of an energized crowd at the Lair.

The opening period belonged largely to Binghamton, who applied early pressure and tested Wakelyn repeatedly in just his second professional start. The rookie stood tall through the opening minutes before Chance Gorman broke the deadlock at 12:45, finishing a cross-crease pass from Nick Cyprian to give the Black Bears a 1-0 lead.

The Dragons responded with a burst of offense late in the frame. At 15:12, Alex Storjohann showcased his skill entering the offensive zone before helping orchestrate a tic-tac-toe passing sequence. Tyler Barrow found Kyle Moore in the slot, where Moore buried his first goal of the season to even the score at one.

Columbus needed just 16 seconds to strike again. Storjohann unleashed a blistering shot past Dominik Tmej to put the Dragons in front, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. However, the Black Bears answered before the end of the period, as Brendan Doyle converted another cross-crease opportunity at 18:32 to tie the game at two.

Despite the late surge from Columbus, Binghamton controlled much of the opening frame, outshooting the Dragons 20-6 through the first 20 minutes.

Columbus carried its momentum into the second period, generating four of the first five shots and playing with increased urgency. The physicality intensified as the period progressed, eventually leading to a cross-checking penalty against Barrow at 8:32. Binghamton capitalized on the ensuing power play, with Gorman connecting on a one-timer past Wakelyn to restore the Black Bears' lead at 3-2.

The Dragons answered less than two minutes later when Scott Ramaekers was sent to the penalty box for slashing, giving Columbus its first power-play opportunity of the night. At 11:28, Moore delivered again, battling in front of the net to finish a loose puck in the blue paint off feeds from Yevdokimov and Barrow. His second goal of the evening brought the game even at three.

Both sides continued trading chances as the period wore on, with neither able to find the go-ahead goal. As the horn sounded to end the frame, Jacob Hamilton was assessed a roughing penalty, giving the Dragons another opportunity on the man advantage to begin the third period.

Through 40 minutes, the teams remained deadlocked at three, while Binghamton held a 30-17 advantage in shots.

The third period opened with a golden opportunity for Columbus as Hamilton's penalty carried over and a slashing call against Sam Dabrowski briefly gave the Dragons a five-on-three advantage. Despite the extended power-play opportunity, Columbus was unable to convert, leaving the game tied as the two teams settled into an end-to-end battle.

With the outcome hanging in the balance, Yevdokimov provided the decisive breakthrough. At 12:40, the forward was taken down by Gorman on a breakaway, earning a penalty shot and a chance to put Columbus back in front. With 3600+ watching intently, Yevdokimov made no mistake, beating Tmej five-hole to give the Dragons a 4-3 lead.

As the clock wound down, Binghamton pulled Tmej in search of a late equalizer. Barrow capitalized with 74 seconds remaining, finding the empty net to extend Columbus' advantage to 5-3 and seemingly put the game out of reach.

The defending champions, however, refused to go quietly. At 19:23, Gehrett Sargis fired a shot over Wakelyn's blocker to pull Binghamton within one and set up a tense final stretch. The Dragons held firm through the closing seconds, however, preserving the lead as the final horn sounded and securing their first victory of the season.

Wakelyn finished the night with 37 saves on 41 shots to earn his first professional victory, delivering a crucial performance against one of the league's premier teams. Tmej stopped 24 of 28 shots in the loss.

The River Dragons will look to carry Friday night's momentum into the rematch, as Columbus and Binghamton meet again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. inside the Columbus Civic Center.

Binghamton Falls in Road-Opener

By Brooks Hill

Columbus, GA -The Binghamton Black Bears fell to the Columbus River Dragons on Friday night 5-4. The two teams traded goals all the way to the finish line, but the Black Bears could not find the final equalizer. Chance Gorman and Gehrett Sargis had two points each.

The Black Bears started the game firing off 20 shots on goal in the first period. They scored the opening goal with a back-door tap-in from Chance Gorman. Columbus found a quick answer and then 16 seconds later, scored the go-ahead goal. Binghamton did not faulter in the first after the quick pair, instead they set up Brendan Doyle for his first professional goal. After a back and forth first period, Binghamton and Columbus were tied at 2-2.

The Black Bears scored first in the middle period, grabbing their second lead of the night. Gorman recorded his 7th goal of the season on the power play. Unable to find the insurance goal on one end of the ice, Columbus was able to counter and knock in a loose puck, right on the doorstep. After 20 minutes, nothing was decided, knotted up at 3-3.

In the third, the River Dragons would jump ahead on the season's first penalty shot. Columbus scored on the 1v1 attempt and led by one with 7:20 left in the game. The Black Bears could not convert on the final power play of the night, leading to them pulling the goalie with two minutes left. Columbus scored the empty-net goal to secure the game's first two-goal lead, but Gehrett Sargis made it close, scoring his first of the season with 37 seconds remaining. Binghamton had a chance off the final faceoff, but came up short on Friday night, falling 5-4.

BLUE RIDGE BOBCATS at WATERTOWN WOLVES

Wolves Outshot Heavily, Fall 6-2 to Bobcats

By Connor LaLone

Watertown, NY -The Blue Ridge Bobcats made the long trip up north to the Northern Credit Union Community Arena Friday night, to defend their perfect start to the season. The Watertown Wolves came into the night looking for their first win of the year, having split with the visiting Hat Tricks last weekend.

At 6:03 of the first period, Brendan Hussey gave the hosts the lead off a feed from Bret Parker. The score would remain 1-0 until late in the frame, when Christian Halbig deposited a pass from Vladislav Vlasov at 18:30 to tie the contest.

Vlasov turned scorer in the second period, when he scored at 11:17 from Patriks Marcinkevics and Demid Podrezov, making it 2-1. Bret Parker continued his torrid start to the season as he and Donovan Powell connected again to make it 2-2 at 15:16 of the second. Just a few minutes later, new addition to the Blue Ridge lineup Michael Macchioni, picked up a goal at 18:42 from Nee Eison and Nikolai Dulak, taking the Bobcats into the third period with a one goal lead.

Just two minutes into the third period, the Bobcats began to ease away. Brendan Pepe scored from Colin Roe and Dulak, before James Tepper scored a few minutes later. The Bobcats continued to consistently pressure the net of Anthony Shrum, who turned aside 62 shots in the contest. Tepper added his second, Blue Ridge’s 6th and final goal of the night on the power play at 11:49, with Pepe assisting.

Watertown surrendered an enormous amount of shots in the contest, which has been a concern in the beginning stages of this season. Shrum garnered third star consideration in the loss, highlighting his impressive play on a difficult night.

The Wolves will look to improve the defensive side of things Saturday night, as Blue Ridge stays in Watertown for another 7:05 puck drop.

BATON ROUGE KINGFISH at MID-SOUTH MONARCHS

Monarchs Win First Game In Front Mid-South Crowd

By Cole Parenti

Southhaven, MS -The time had finally come for the Monarchs to open the doors to the Landers Center and welcome all of the Mid-South fans. The Monarchs were looking for back-to-back wins and hoped to carry their momentum into their matchup against the Baton Rouge Kingfish.

The first period opened with a strong push from the Kingfish, who scored back-to-back goals from Joseph Drapluk and Dmitry Kuznetsov. The Monarchs responded when rookie A.J. Basich scored the first home goal in franchise history. It was also Basich’s first professional goal. The period ended with Baton Rouge leading 2–1.

The second period was a close affair, with Darion Benchich tying the game halfway through the period. However, the Kingfish responded with a shorthanded goal late in the period to take a 3–2 lead into the third.

The third period got off to a quick start when Frank Trazzera scored just 16 seconds in. Darion Benchich then gave the Monarchs their first lead of the night, finding the back of the net for the second time in the game. His goal secured a 4–3 home-opening victory for the Monarchs.

Tommy Nappier stopped 39 of the 42 shots he faced to earn his first win of the season, while his opponent, Ed Coffey, stopped 24 of the 28 shots he faced from the Monarchs.

The Mid-South Monarchs return to action tomorrow against the same Baton Rouge Kingfish. The game will be streamed live on the Monarchs’ YouTube channel.

KINGFISH CAN'T HOLD LEAD IN THIRD PERIOD, FALL TO MONARCHS

By Eddie McCarthy

Southhaven, MS -Two unanswered third-period goals from the Mid-South Monarchs handed the Baton Rouge Kingfish their first loss of the season, 4-3, tonight at Landers Center.

Baton Rouge got off to a great start in the first period. Joe Drapluk's second goal of the season gave the Fish a 1-0 lead just 4:20 into the game, and Dmitry Kuznetsov snapped home a wrist shot 5:39 later on the powerplay to make it a two-goal advantage. However, Mid-South drew a goal closer prior to the intermission, capitalizing on a Kingfish turnover at 13:15.

The Monarchs leveled the contest at two goals apiece 11:40 into the second, taking advantage of a transition opportunity down the right wing. It looked like the game would be deadlocked, 2-2, heading into the second intermission. However, Matt Stoia slotted in a shorthanded one-timer off a beautiful pass from Tyler Williams with just 56 seconds remaining in the middle frame. Baton Rouge had the lead, 3-2, after 40 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Fish, that lead lasted just 15 seconds into the third period. The Monarchs took advantage of a neutral zone turnover, tying the game at three on a shot wired in from the left circle. Mid-South then grabbed its first lead on a well-executed face-off play at 7:52 of the final stanza.

The Kingfish had opportunities to tie the game late in the third, including two minutes of powerplay time inside the game's final five minutes. However, they couldn't get the puck to bounce their way. Baton Rouge scored on just three of its 42 shots.

Ed Coffey parried 24 Mid-South shots in his third start of the season in the blue paint for the Kingfish.

Baton Rouge and Mid-South rematch tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Landers Center. The three-in-three series concludes Sunday with a 4:05 p.m. battle in Baton Rouge at Raising Cane's River Center.

MONROE MOCCASINS at TOPEKA SCARECROWS

Gagnon Gets Tricky With 3, Scarecrows Win 8-1

By Jon Kliment

Topeka, KS -Topeka and the Moccasins locked up for the first of 10 matchups this season at Stormont Vail Events Center. Monroe got the better of the Scarecrows last season 3-1 and Topeka came in looking for a chance to close the gap.

After a weekend spent trying to find the back of the net the Scarecrows wasted little time on Friday night as Jacob Gagnon scored just 5:57 into the first period. Gagnon took a feed from Elijah Wilson and walked across the slot before picking his corner and depositing it behind goalie Chris Branch for the 1-0 lead. 10:05 later it was more precision passing as Connor Lind found Wilson who found a wide open Scott Coash for his first of the season to give the Scarecrows a 2-0 lead in the first period. 3:11 later Gagnon was at it again as he fired a wrister from the point that snuck by Branch for a 3-0 lead for Topeka after one.

The second period saw the Scarecrows take command of the game as just 2:27 into the period Gagnon finished off his hat trick beating Branch for the 4-0 lead. 42 seconds later Wilson joined in the fun finding the back of the net to give Topeka a 5-0 lead. Boston Bird then went to work scoring two goals in less then a minute going to the infamous Michigan to tuck one over the shoulder of Brand and then cleaning up a rebound for a 7-0 lead. Connor Lind chipped in his own ripper from the point at 8:32 of the second to give Topeka a commanding 8-0 lead after two.

Brad Richardson tallied the only goal of the third through traffic to break up Sammy Bernard's shutout bid and give Monroe a little fight in an 8-1 game.

Bernard stopped 24 of 25 for the win, his third of the season.

Topeka returns to action tomorrow night to take on the Moccasins at 7:05pm on Saturday night with a Hy-vee Post Game Trick or Treat!

Scarecrows Score Franchise Record 8 on Moccasins

By Danny DeBock

Topeka, KS -Jacob Gagnon scored a hat trick as the Topeka Scarecrows scored a franchise record eight goals in an 8-1 victory over the Monroe Moccasins.

Monroe entered Friday’s contest shorthanded with the absences of Jamie Dorsey, Jared Christy, and Corson Green due to suspension. The Moccasins were also without leading scorer Carlos Fornaris who was put on 15 day IL on Wednesday. Chris Branch earned the start for Monroe in his first appearance against the Scarecrows. Sammy Bernard made his seventh start of his career against the Moccasins.

Topeka was coming off a 2-1 victory over Indiana last Saturday where Jacob Gagnon scored the winning goal with 0.7 left in regulation. Monroe looked to find their way into the win column for the first time since opening weekend.

Jacob Gagnon opening the scoring at 5:57 of the first with a shot from the near same spot he scored his game winning goal last Saturday against Indiana to give the Scarecrows the early lead. Late in the first period, the Scarecrows struck again. Scott Coash buried Topeka’s second goal off of a brilliant pass from Elijah Wilson at 16:02 of the first period. Gagnon lit the lamp on his second goal of the game with a shot from the right point at 19:13. Topeka led after one period of play 3-0 with the edge in shots 16-9.

The second period saw more of the same from the first. Jacob Gagnon completed his first ever hat trick at 2:27 for Topeka’s fourth goal of the night. 42 seconds later, Elijah Wilson scored his first goal of the season on his third point of the night to up the lead to five. A minute and 25 seconds later, Boston Bird made it 6-0 at 4:31 of the period. Bird scored again on a Michigan goal at 5:19 to give Topeka a 7-0 lead. Connor Lind scored on a power play goal at 8:32 to break the Scarecrows franchise record for most goals in franchise record. Topeka outshot Monroe in the second period 26-6.

In the third period, Stephen Dobbs relieved Chris Branch and did not give up a goal. Dobbs a Navy veteran made his professional debut in the final stanza. Bradley Richardson scored Monroe’s lone goal of the game at 9:34 of the third. With no scoring the rest of the way resulting in an 8-1 Topeka victory.

Sammy Bernard made 24 saves on 25 Monroe shots in the win. Chris Branch was dealt the loss on 34 saves off 42 shots, while Stephen Dobbs made 13 saves on all 13 Topeka shots in the third period.

The two teams meet again tomorrow at 7pm Central time at Landon Arena.

MINNESOTA NORTHERN LIGHTS at OCEANSIDE SHOCK

SIBLING REVELRY

Minnesota’s Monkman brothers pull out 4-3 overtime win in Oceanside

By Jonathan Greene

Oceanside, CA -The Oceanside Shock held a late third-period lead on home ice, the opportunity for their first FPHL regulation win in their grasp. They had the Minnesota Northern Lights where they wanted them, but one family stood in the way.

Brothers Kalix and Kylow Monkman of the Northern Lights teamed up for back-to-back goals, each time with Kalix assisting on Kylow’s goal, as Minnesota stole away a 4-3 OT win from the Shock. Kylow’s first, a stuffer in front of the right post with 3:25 remaining off a feed from Kalix behind the net, tied the score 3-3. In 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime, Kalix sped behind the Oceanside net before sending the puck to Kylow below the right circle, who lifted it under the crossbar and into the top of the net at 1:55 to give the Northern Lights (2-2-1, 5 points) the victory.

Shock captain Matt O’Dea earned his side a standings point when he scored twice to open the third period for Oceanside (1-4-1, 3 points), first short-handed at 6:23 then at even strength at 9:26 when he handled a rolling puck sent forward by Brett Menton, tapped it flat while out-skating a defender on each hip, and zig-zagged the puck past Minnesota goaltender Bailey Huber (40-of-43 saves) with dazzling stick-handling to ignite the crowd at Frontwave Arena. Oceanside had a power play opportunity with 5:53 left to take the first two-goal lead in franchise history, but seconds after their chance expired, the Northern Lights drifted down-ice and the brothers Monkman got to work.

The result was disappointing for Oceanside in that the Shock controlled much of the action throughout the night, out-shooting Minnesota 43-29. The only period the Northern Lights out-shot the Shock was in overtime, 3-1. Oceanside went 1-for-5 on the power play, but included in that total was a five-minute major match penalty with four minutes left in the second period given to Minnesota’s Geronimo Whiteduck. The Northern Lights skater pulled his stick up with two hands and horse-collared Chase Dibari to the ice for what was called a two-minute minor. Oceanside’s Sam Bailey jumped in to stick up for his teammate and fought Whiteduck, who, according to Bailey’s account to off-ice officials, bit him in the scrum, leading to ejection. Not only did the Shock not score on their five minutes of power play time, but they took a penalty with 1:11 remaining in the period, and then conceded 4-on-4 when Minnesota’s Chris Corgan jumped a loose puck at mid-ice during a line change for a breakaway goal at 19:36.

The Shock’s power play goal, a second-period equalizing 1-1 score by Tyler Maxwell at 14:40, was a milestone moment for Oceanside’s Chase DiBari, who fed Maxwell’s backhand shot and received his 100th FPHL point as a reward. Oceanside trailed after the first period on Anthony Larkin’s first of the year for the Northern Lights at 7:24. The two teams combined for seventeen penalties and 49 minutes of PIM.

Oceanside and Minnesota meet Sunday evening again at 5pm on Frontwave Arena ice for the second of eight games in the season series. The game is the Shock’s first Star Wars Night, with attendant cosplayers, fun thematic elements, and galactic struggle for supremacy.

FRESNO FALCONS at STOCKTON THUNDER

GAME POSTPONED

The game between the Stockton Thunder and Fresno Falcons on Friday night. Following pregame warm ups a Zamboni machine malfunction created a damaged section of ice which could not be repaired. After an hour and 20 minute delay, game officials deemed the ice surface unsafe for play.

The two teams play in Fresno Saturday at 6:05 p.m. Pacific time