The Danbury Titans fell to the first place Danville Dashers

Danbury Titans Game Recap: Danville Douses Danbury 5-0

 

 The Danbury Titans fell to the first place Danville Dashers by a score of 5-0 Friday night at the Danbury Ice Arena. Justin Levac and Justin Brausen of Danville scored two goals each and goaltender Troy Passingham recorded his first professional shutout with the victory. 

 

The Titans came into the game to open a span of three games in three nights, and looking to build upon last week's victory over the Berlin RiverDrivers to snap a franchise worst four game losing streak. The game would also be the only one of the weekend at home, with trips booked to Watertown and Berlin to round out the weekend. Junior Harris and Stephen Gallo both made their debut wearing a Titans' uniform after being acquired earlier in the week from the Port Huron Prowlers for the protected Ryan Patsch and John Scorcia. Both Patsch and Scorcia are currently playing for the Evansville Thunderbolts of the SPHL and may not return to the FHL this season.

 

Perhaps Danbury's biggest weakness so far in the season is their power play, currently ranked in the lower half of the league and converting on only 9.7% of their opportunities. The special teams unit would again have trouble, surrendering a short handed goal to Justin Levac at 15:45 of the first period. Levac was able to split the defenseman and go on a breakaway from the red line before beating Nick Niedert, getting his second start in as many games, low to the glove side. Danbury would outshoot Danville 15-10 in the period. 

 

The Titans and Dashers traded chances to begin the second period, with Danbury again outshooting their opponent, but unable to find the equalizer. It would be Justin Brausen scoring his team leading 8th of the season to double Danville's lead halfway through the period. With under five minutes to play in the period Joe Turgeon would put the game out of reach. Levac would assist on both goals to lead his team. The third period saw the Dashers controlling play and dictating the flow of the game. Dalton Jay had perhaps Danbury's best opportunity of the game but was held off the scoresheet for the second straight game. Levac and Brausen would score within three minutesof each other in the middle of the period, and a listless Titans team skated off to their worst home loss of the season to the first place Danville Dashers. 

For Danbury, the team will not have time to dwell on the loss with a looming battle against former head coach Phil Esposito's Watertown Wolves on Saturday evening. The Titans have fallen to the Wolves twice this season, by scores of 5-1 and 4-3 most recently. After that game the team will travel to Berlin for a matinee meeting against the RiverDrivers on Sunday afternoon.