DANBURY, Conn. — The Philadelphia Rebels (5-5-0-1) hit the road Tuesday afternoon looking to snap a two-game skid as they face off against the Danbury Hat Tricks (6-3-1-1) in a 1:30 p.m. matchup at Danbury Ice Arena. The Rebels will be seeking redemption after dropping both games last weekend as they look to get back in the win column.
In their first meeting last Friday, the Hat Tricks defeated the Rebels 2-1 in a defensive battle. Johnny Conlin scored Philadelphia’s only goal of the night, extending his team lead in scoring, while goaltender Ilja Nikitins stopped 30 of 32 shots to keep the Rebels within striking distance. Despite generating quality chances, Philadelphia struggled to find consistency on the power play, failing to convert on multiple opportunities.
Saturday’s contest brought more offensive action but a similar result. The Rebels carried much of the play, outshooting Danbury 41-33 and controlling large stretches of the game, but ultimately fell short in a 3-2 loss. Goaltender Jon Dukaric was the difference-maker for the Hat Tricks, making 39 saves, while Parker Deschene scored twice and Matt Shpungin tallied the game-winning goal. For Philadelphia, Ben Varsa made 30 saves, while Ryan Bunting and Drew Belleson each found the back of the net. The Rebels generated sustained pressure throughout the night but were unable to capitalize late in the game.
Philadelphia will again rely on its balanced offensive attack led by Conlin, who has been one of the most consistent producers in the North American Hockey League with 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in nine games. Charlie Spencer continues to provide steady scoring with 11 points in 11 contests, while Bunting has reached the double-digit mark with 10 points. On the back end, defenseman Joe Stauber has been a steady presence, contributing eight points while logging significant minutes on both special-teams units.
The Rebels’ penalty kill has been strong this season, but staying out of the box altogether will be a top priority after back-to-back games in which penalties disrupted their momentum. Special teams could again play a decisive role in determining the outcome. Both teams had limited success on the power play in Saturday’s game, but with the clubs so evenly matched at even strength, a single man-advantage goal could be the difference.
The Rebels will look to secure two critical points before returning home later in the week. Puck drop is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Danbury Ice Arena. Fans can watch the game live on NATV.