Alonzo’s hat trick not enough to capture first in FHL

Alonzo DANVILLE, IL – Even with Port Huron wingman Justin Alonzo on fire, the Prowlers fell short Wednesday night of taking over first place in the FHL standings. The Danville Dashers came into the contest with a 12-4-2 record; the second place Prowlers at 11-4-2.

Alonzo put the first points on the board with just under 5 minutes remaining in the first period. But Danville’s Brent Clark had a sublime night of his own; surpassing Alonzo’s hat trick with 4 goals off of the three-assist performance of Lester Brown.

“As a team we just kept going and kept chipping away and finally took the lead,” said Clarke. “I just found myself in the right place at the right time tonight.”

Clarke didn’t start his scoring night until the Dashers had found themselves down 2-0 midway through the second period, but a three-goal spurt in less than two and a half minutes put the Dashers the lead, which they would never give up. Two of those goals came from Clarke, with the other coming from Myles McCauley. Danville would take that 3-2 lead into the locker room after the second period.

Clarke got things started for Danville at 1:27 into the third period, giving him the hat trick in front of a crowd of almost 1000. Justin Brausen extended that lead 23 seconds later, making the game 5-2 Danville. Alonzo would make it 5-3 midway through the third, giving him his second goal of the night. Clarke would counter with his fourth goal of the night, making it 6-3 Danville. Alonzo would cap off his own hat trick late in the game, but that would be the closest Port Huron got, giving the Dashers the 6-4 win. Clarke was awarded the game’s first star, with Brown and Alonzo taking second and third.

“Well I don’t know if it is a good trend to have, but in the last three games we have won we have been down at least two goals,” said Head Coach Steve Harrison “It shows the guys don’t give up, and they have the will to battle back.”