Havoc Shut the Door on Fayetteville During The 3-2 Win Friday
March 4, 2017 - SPHL (SPHL)
Huntsville Havoc News Release
HUNTSVILLE, AL- The Havoc score two in the second and outlast the Fayetteville FireAntz 3-2 at the Von Braun Center on Friday night.
"I think right after that 7-1 loss, everyone has had this date circled on the calendar," said head coach Glenn Detulleo. "It's a dogfight right now for all the teams heading to the playoffs and you have to expect a battle. The teams making less mistakes are the ones winning the games."
The first period started off with the FireAntz scoring the game's first goal for the second in the last two weeks against the Havoc. But, after giving up the goal 8:31 into the opening frame, Huntsville came back to tie the game at one just 48 seconds later. Eric Witzel walked into the slot ready to receive a pass from Jordan Wood for his third in as many games. Havoc newcomer Blake Hietala received the secondary assist on the goal. "I finally got my wind back," said Witzel. "The hardest thing when coming back from an injury is to get your legs back but the extra work I have been putting in helps."
With Huntsville seeing a tie game after one period of play for the second time in their last four, the Havoc came out firing the second. A period that has proved to be their best period of the season saw two goals from two separate players. The first was Ben Kramer, who walked into the right-wing circle, blasted a shot over the outstretched glove of the Fayetteville netminder at 4:31.
The third Havoc goal of the night came 11:44 into the second when Eddie Nolan registered his first career goal. The Dorchester, Mass. native saw an opening in the slot with traffic in front to blast home the goal to give Huntsville a 3-1 lead.
But minutes later, while on a power play, Fayetteville got within one just 1:55 remaining in the second period.
"We knew coming in Fayetteville is a good team and we might see them in the playoffs," said Witzel.
"But tonight, we wanted to show that we are not a team that rolls over and die but a team who wants to win."
In the third, the Havoc, spearheaded by goaltender Adam Courchaine, shut the door on the FireAntz.
The period started off with Huntsville killing off a penalty with the Kanata, Ont. native stopping eight total shots in the frame to register his 14th win of the season.
Memorable Moments Huntsville has not given up a third period goal in three straight after giving up a combined six goals in three games from February 17th to February 19th.
The Havoc have now scored at least a goal in five straight and eight of their last nine first periods dating back to February 10th.
Tonight, marked just the third-time Huntsville saw a tie game at home this season. The team has standings points in two.
Adam Courchaine finished the night stopping 32 of 24 shots faced while picking up his 13th win of the season including five one-goal games.
With the win, Huntsville is 23-1 when leading after two this season.
Blake Hietala registered three assists in his first game with the Havoc while Eric Witzel now has points in six of his last eleven. Tonight, marked his second three-point game of the season.
Next Home Game Saturday's contest will be more than about the game on the ice, as the Havoc show their support for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Huntsville's own Jacob Brown. The team will don specialty jerseys while facing the Fayetteville FireAntz for the second straight night. After the contest, the jerseys will be auctioned off with proceeds going back to St. Jude. For more information and tickets, contact the Havoc front office at 256-518-6160.
New Havoc App Download the new Havoc app now for iOS or Android here and begin earning Havoc Rewards points now by submitting the code 'havocapp' in the 'My Rewards' section of our new app.
• Discuss this story on the SPHL message board...
SPHL Stories from March 4, 2017
- MAYHEM GAME NOTES: March 4, 2017 vs. Mississippi RiverKings - Macon Mayhem
- Game Recap: Ice Flyers Complete Comeback, Win 5-4 in OT - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- RAIL YARD DAWGS GAME NOTES: Rail Yard Dawgs (14-23-6) at Rivermen - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Evansville Picks up a Point against Pensacola - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Havoc Shut the Door on Fayetteville During The 3-2 Win Friday - Huntsville Havoc
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
