Local pro hockey: Watertown Wolves still struggling for consistency in latest loss | Wolves

Wolves drew within a goal twice in the third period, only to be dismissed 4-3 by hat-tricks in a Federal Prospects Hockey League game in front of a crowd of 959 on First Responders Night at Watertown Municipal Arena.

The hat tricks (33-11) scored from four different players, including one in the third half from Jonny Ruiz in what turned out to be the winning goal.

Watertown (17-25) has now lost its last three games after generating a three-game winning streak last month.

“It was a real fight,” said Wolves veteran Brendan Hussey. “We’re trying to be consistent right now, I think that’s our biggest fight for ourselves, just being consistent. We’re playing against the top team in the league again, so we just have to stick to our game plan and just try to be consistent in every shift, that’s all.

This continues to be a turbulent season for Wolves with just over a month until the playoffs. The team is again without a head coach as Steve Esau has left the team and is taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.

“It was an adaptation, it was very new to everyone,” Hussey said. “We all try to help each other every day. It’s not easy, definitely not easy, but we just have to make the best of it.”

Esau took over as head coach in December, replacing Justin Coachman, who started the season as the team’s interim coach.

For now, team assistant coach Luke Cohen has taken the helm, along with player/assistant coach Charlie Pens Jr., who also sits behind the bench.

“He had to retire from hockey a bit,” Cohen said of Esau. “Obviously we’re all there for him, being part of the Wolves is being part of a family. … He has had to resign and we hope he can return soon, obviously family is the most important thing to all of us and the Wolves organization. So let’s hope he fixes everything and we can move on from there.

Danbury, who shared the overall lead with Columbus (93) on the night, now leads the season’s run with Watertown 5-3, with the hat-tricks winning each of their last two meetings by a goal.

“They’re a good team,” Hussey said of Danbury. “We just have to have a playoff mentality the rest of the way and see where that takes us.”

“We’ve played them in close games and against Danbury it’s been a goal the last few games and could have gone either way,” said Cohen. “So who can put together a better 60-minute game with these things and play it? At the end of the day, this is a playoff-caliber team, we’re a playoff-caliber team and you have to find a way to win those games.”

Danbury built a 2-0 lead in the first half with two goals within 1:17 when Lucas DeBenedet converted a pass from John MacDonald and struck over goalkeeper Owen Liskiewicz’s right shoulder, and Michael Marchesan pocketed a loose puck for a power play goal at 2:16 in the third.

Watertown drew 2-1 after Kolton Maguire shot from close range with Parker Moskal assisting.

Daniel McKitrick scored a contested goal from close range on a shot that deflected off the left post to give Danbury a 3-1 lead with 6:07 remaining in the second period.

Wolves drew within 3-2 after Hussey’s unassisted goal 18 seconds into the third period when he covered a shot over goalie Brian Wilson’s right shoulder.

But the hat-tricks were quick to respond as Jonny Ruiz scored from a backhander at 1:41 to restore a two-goal lead.

Watertown then separated within 4-3 through Samuel Hrabcak’s goal. 6:18 at half-time but later the Wolves bench were ruled a minor for berating an official to stem the momentum.

“I think we played a good game as a team, we fought back,” said Cohen. “But we have to be able to pull off a 60-minute effort as a unit and the little mistakes we made together cost us the distance.”

Wolves later had two power plays, including a two-man advantage in the final 45.6 seconds of the game after Liskiewicz was drawn for an extra attacker, but couldn’t get any closer.

“We’ve been working on the power play and emphasizing it every day with communication,” Cohen said. “And unfortunately some days the puck doesn’t bounce in your direction and it’s tough. But we, as a staff and as a group, are always looking for what we can do to make everyone better.”

Wilson stopped 37 of 40 shots to give Danbury the win, while Liskiewicz made 39 saves to concede the loss for Watertown.

Pens Jr., who is also currently sidelined through injury, added after the game: “Obviously it’s difficult to balance coaching and playing but obviously we’re just doing what we’re told and asked to and try to do for the team to do what we can.”

Watertown will again host Danbury at 7:30pm today and next Friday on St Patrick’s Day night.

■ NOTE: This was Wolves’ first home game since February 18, when they were also defeated 4-3 by Danbury on penalties. … The Wolves wore special black and blue first responder jerseys with red and white trimmings, which were auctioned off after the game.