Whalers win FHL title

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DANBURY -- With the Danbury Whalers clinging to a one-goal lead midway through the most important game in the history of Danbury hockey, rascally, mutton-chopped forward Matt Puntureri -- a longtime foil with whom the team had recently forged an unlikely, if not uneasy, alliance -- did his part to put tensions at ease, conducting the Danbury Arena's Section 102 faithful through the traditional second-period singing of "God Bless America."

The visiting Dayton Demonz had shown life to that point in Game 3 of the FHL Commissioner's Cup finals Friday night, rallying back to tie the game twice. But as a standing-room-only crowd of 3,116 sang along with the newest Whaler, the fat lady was already warming her pipes.

Anthony Pisano and Cody Ayers added goals to complete a four-goal second-period barrage that buried top-seeded Dayton's hopes for good, and the Whalers wrapped their perfect march to the city's first hockey championship with a 6-3 triumph, their sixth in as many postseason games.

"It was just one of those magical things where we came together and we were unstoppable in the playoffs," said Whalers coach and director of hockey operations Phil Esposito, who built these Whalers to win this way: clogging passing lanes, blocking shots and overpowering all comers when it mattered most.

Tyler Noseworthy scored a pair of goals, and goalie Mike Brown, who was announced as an All-FHL selection pregame and the MVP of the playoffs as the suds flew during the postgame festivities, continued his superb run, collecting 42 saves that he punctuated with his typical intensity.

"Dayton's a good team, but they didn't go through the adversity we did, they didn't know what it was like to go on the road with 12 guys," said Brown. "Eight years pro, and this is my first championship. I'm so happy to share it with these guys."

Danbury's Philip Aucoin, center, celebrates his goal with teammates Steve Brown, left, and Cody Ayers in game three of the Commisioner's Cup championship series between the Danbury Whalers and the Dayton Demonz at Danbury Arena in Danbury, Conn. on Friday, March 22, 2013. less Danbury's Philip Aucoin, center, celebrates his goal with teammates Steve Brown, left, and Cody Ayers in game three of the Commisioner's Cup championship series between the Danbury Whalers and the Dayton Demonz ... more Photo: Tyler Sizemore Photo: Tyler Sizemore Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close Whalers win FHL title 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

A lightly whistled contest screeched to a halt with 3:10 left in the third, when Dayton's frustrations boiled over and several fights broke out. And as the referees sorted out penalties that would put the Demonz on a 5-on-3 advantage, a few fans seated behind the Whalers' bench unfurled a banner that read "Danbury Whalers 2013 FHL Champions." A wild party began.

"It's the most unbelievable thing I've ever been a part of," said Whalers CEO and managing general partner Herm Sorcher. "I'm so happy we can bring this to this city and these fans. This is never going to stop. This is what we're going to do. This is what we're going to bring this city all the time."

Whalers forward Phil Aucoin provided the first period's only goal at 8:03, rifling a shoulder-high slap shot from the point that ricocheted around the top of the cage.

Dayton's Brayden Metz tied the score at 1-1 1:29 into the second, but Kelly Miller put the Whalers back in front before the goal could be announced over the PA system. The Demonz would equalize again when Jason Hill one-timed a Metz feed from the slot at 5:54, but in another swift reversal of fortune, Noseworthy delivered a go-ahead goal some 30 seconds later, flipping in a power-play goal from behind the goal line.

Pisano's rocket from atop the left circle at 16:23, followed by Ayers' goal less than a minute later, spelled an early exit for Dayton goalie Jeff Rose, who was replaced by Tony Tabisz.

Noseworthy buried his second goal late in the third to go with an assist, earning him the game's top star. Mike Atkinson and Matt Caranci contributed two assists apiece.

The Whalers will parade down Main Street on Sunday at 1 p.m.

DAYTON 0 2 1 -- 3

DANBURY 1 4 1 -- 6

FHL Commissioner's Cup Finals, Game 3

Danbury wins, 3-0

Goals: Day -- Brayden Metz, Jason Hill, Jesse Felten; Dan -- Phil Aucoin, Kelly Miller, Tyler Noseworthy 2, Anthony Pisano, Cody Ayers. Assists: Day -- Hill, Luke Flicek 3, Metz, Nicholas Petriello; Dan --Ayers, Matt Caranci 2, Matt Puntureri 2, Mike Atkinson 2, James Sanford, Noseworthy, Andy Willock, Brett Leonard. Goalies: Day -- Jeff Rose (23 saves), Tony Tabisz (15 saves); Dan -- Mike Brown (42 saves).