2026-2027 Home Opening Night Recap

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — The Watertown Wolves dropped their home opener Friday night at the Northern Credit Union Community Arena, falling 9-5 to the Danbury Hat Tricks in a game that saw nine goals in the first period alone.

The scoring started early when Sam Barnitz slipped one past Nolan Egbert to put Danbury up 1-0. The Wolves answered right back, with Bret Parker and Hunter Hall finding the net to give Watertown a 2-1 lead. But the lead lasted just 27 seconds before Genaro Fronduto tied it at 2-2. Danbury kept the pressure on — Jordon Kromm added one, and Kevin Johnston struck twice — to open up a 5-2 lead. The Wolves refused to go quietly, though, with Donovan Powell and Blake Peavey pulling Watertown back to 5-4 at the end of a nine-goal first period.

Things tightened up in the second, but penalties proved costly. Danbury converted on consecutive power plays — Stefan Miklakos and Levi Wunder both scoring their first goals for the franchise — to take a 7-4 lead into the third.

Danbury struck again on the man advantage midway through the third, with Miklakos netting his second of the night. Parker answered with his second goal of the game to keep the Wolves within three, but Johnston completed the hat trick in his professional debut to seal the 9-5 final.

Parker led the Wolves with two goals, while Hall, Powell, and Peavey also found the back of the net.

The Wolves get a quick chance at payback: the two teams meet again tonight at 7:05 p.m. at the Northern Credit Union Community Arena for the second game of the weekend series.  Get your tickets today online at Clubhouse Cards!