DANBURY, CT– Hockey is a game of momentum swings. There are stretches where the puck bounces the right way, and droughts of frustration. Peaks and valleys, ebbs and flows.
After snapping a weeks-long losing skid, the Danbury Colonials find themselves heating back up, taking their fourth consecutive game Sunday afternoon from the New England Knights 5-4 in overtime.
New England opened the scoring six minutes into the first period, as Max Barum slipped a shot past Shane O’Brien. Misha Mshar would answer for Danbury with his ninth of the season, but the Knights would regain the lead just 23 seconds later.
Cole Madzey would find the back of the net off a Brandon Cope rebound before period’s end, knotting the score at two heading into the first intermission.
The second period was dominated by Danbury, as the Colonials fired 15 shots on goal. Kyle McEnany would one-time a powerplay goal, with Nate Mastrony adding one of his own to give the black-and-orange brigade a 4-2 lead.
New England would come surging back in the third period, tying up the score with five minutes remaining in regulation on the man advantage. O’Brien would turn aside 18 shots in the final frame to send the game to overtime.
In overtime, Kevin Remson would win a defensive zone draw for Danbury, wheeling the puck to Connor Lefkof. Lefkof took over, charging ahead and wiring a shot under the blocker to cinch the enthralling victory.
It was the fourth overtime win of the season for the Colonials, tied for the most in the NA3HL. For Lefkof, the goal was his second game-winner in as many days.
“We have a really good core of guys that know how to respond to adversity and win crucial hockey games,” said goaltender Shane O’Brien, who finished with 38 saves in the win. “Sometimes wins aren’t the prettiest, but in the end we’ll take the two points.”
“Most importantly, we bought in as a team late blocking shots and finding the net,” mentioned assistant coach Brian Allen.
“It really seems like things are coming together for our group,” added O’Brien. “Choo choo!”
The Colonials will host the Long Beach Sharks Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16 at Danbury Arena.
