Havoc Finish Strong, Ready For Playoffs
March 24, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Huntsville Havoc News Release
HUNTSVILLE, AL - The Huntsville Havoc finished the regular season by beating the Knoxville Ice Bears 3-1 on Thursday, falling to the Louisiana Ice Gators 3-1 on Friday and beating the Columbus Cottonmouths 3-2 on Saturday. The Havoc enter the SPHL playoffs as the number five seed but will host all three games in the first round against the Mississippi RiverKings. Games one and two will be Thursday and Friday at 7:30 and game three, if needed, will be Sunday evening at 5:00.
Thursday, March 20 - Huntsville 3, Knoxville 1
KNOXVILLE, TN - Dominic Osman scored the go-ahead goal in the first period, and the Huntsville Havoc held off the challenges of the Knoxville Ice Bears in a tough 3-1 win.
Huntsville took over the lead for good with a goal by Osman at 2:12 in the first period. Justin Alonzo provided the assist.
The Havoc were led by Justin Cseter, who had one goal. Cseter scored 5:50 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Huntsville. Mike Gurtler picked up the assist.
Huntsville's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three Knoxville power plays. The Havoc failed to reach their usual level of shot production, putting 19 pucks on goal after averaging 29.6 shots per game this season.
Huntsville also got a goal from Josh Harris as well. Other players who recorded assists for Huntsville were Leland Fidler and Sam Cannata, who each chipped in one.
Knoxville put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Huntsville to score on any of its three power plays. With 25 shots on target during the contest, the Ice Bears exceeded the 22.4 shots they average per game this year.
Knoxville was led by Berkley Scott, who scored the team's only goal. Scott scored 8:53 into the third period to make the score 2-1 Huntsville. Francis Drolet assisted on the tally.
The Havoc's Kevin Genoe stopped 24 shots out of the 25 that he faced. Huntsville incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with three minors. For the Havoc, Paul Kurceba was ejected from the game. Bryan Hince rejected 16 shots on goal for the Ice Bears. Knoxville incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.
Friday, March 21 - Huntsville 1, Louisiana 3
HUNTSVILLE, AL - The Louisiana IceGators relied on the scoring touch of Adam Stuart, who netted two goals, to beat the Huntsville Havoc, 3-1.
Stuart found the back of the net 2:54 into the third period to make the score 2-1 Louisiana and again while 19:24 into the third to make the score 3-1 Louisiana.
Huntsville was stymied by Louisiana's netminder Matt Zenzola, who stopped 30 shots during the victory. Zenzola certainly lowered his goals against average, which was 3.05 entering the contest.
The IceGators' penalty kill excelled, as Louisiana gave up zero goals despite allowing six power plays.
The IceGators stifled the Havoc's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man.
Jeremy Boyer also scored for Louisiana. More assists for Louisiana came via Jeff Grant, who had two and Shawn McNeil and Kirk Byczynski, who each chipped in one.
Huntsville's offense operated below its season average. The Havoc average 3.2 goals per game. Louisiana was unable to stop Huntsville from sending pucks towards the net, and the Havoc eventually piled up 31 shots on goal.
Huntsville was led by Josh Harris, who scored the team's only goal. Harris scored 6:15 into the second period to make the score 1-1.
The IceGators totaled 19 minutes in penalty time with seven minors and one major and went 1-for-2 on the power play. The Havoc's Kevin Genoe stopped 27 shots out of the 29 that he faced. Huntsville ended with 11 minutes in penalty time with three minors and one major.
Saturday, March 22 - Huntsville 3, Columbus 2
HUNTSVILLE, AL - The Columbus Cottonmouths could not stop the Huntsville Havoc's Nick Lazorko, who tallied a hat trick in a 3-2 win.
Lazorko's first goal came 8:46 into the second period. He then added goals at 12:46 into the second and at 32 seconds into the third.
Huntsville put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Columbus to score on any of its three power plays. The Havoc relied on a core group of players for most of their offense, as Lazorko, Dominic Osman and Mike Gurtler took 20 of the team's 35 shots.
More assists for Huntsville came via Rob Florentino and Eric Alexander, who each chipped in one.
The Cottonmouths racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with six minors and two majors for 32 minutes in penalty time. Columbus surpassed its season average of 23.0 penalty minutes per game. The Cottonmouths stifled Huntsville's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Columbus' offense was clicking better than usual and put 36 shots on goal during the game, better than the 23.8 shots per game it averages.
The Cottonmouths were led by Jordan Draper, who finished with one goal and one assist. Draper scored 15:33 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Columbus. Kyle Johnson assisted on the tally. Sam Bowles also scored for Columbus. In addition, Columbus received assists from Matt Gingera, who had one.
Jesse Kallechy recorded 34 saves for the Havoc. Huntsville totaled 18 minutes in penalty time with four minors and two majors and went 0-for-5 on the power play. Columbus' Shannon Szabados stopped 32 shots out of the 35 that he faced.
Three Stars of the Week
#1 Nick Lazorko - F (3 goals)
#2 Josh Harris - C (2 goals)
#3 Kevin Genoe - G (1-1, 1.50 goals against average, 94.4 save percentage)
Practice Schedule
Monday, March 24th - VBC - 10:00
Tuesday, March 25th - VBC - 10:00
Wednesday, March 26th - VBC - 10:00
Transactions
DATE
TRANSACTION
03/22/14
Sawyer, Brock (D) placed on 30 day IR
03/22/14
Florentino, Rob (D) returned on loan from Reading (ECHL)
03/19/14
Schoeneberger, Ben (RW) waived
03/19/14
Gurtler, Mike (RW) activated from IR
Upcoming Games
Game One - Thursday, March 27th vs Mississippi RiverKings - 7:30
Game Two - Friday, March 28th vs Mississippi RiverKings - 7:30
Game Three (if needed) - Sunday, March 30th vs Mississippi RiverKings - 7:30
Upcoming Promotions
Thursday, March 27th 7:30 vs. Mississippi RiverKings
Landers McLarty Nissan presents 'Hockey Night in Huntsville' as fans can enjoy $2.00 beers, hotdogs and sodas.
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- Havoc Finish Strong, Ready For Playoffs - Huntsville Havoc
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