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Affinati's two goals cannot get win for Twins

March 12, 2005 - SPHL (SPHL)
Winston-Salem Polar Twins News Release


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.] – Chris Affinati had his first two-goal game since going pro but it would not be enough as the Huntsville Havoc won on a questionable penalty shot in overtime 7-6.

With the game tied 6-6 in overtime, the Polar Twins were charged with a penalty for too many men on the ice. However, instead of awarding Huntsville a 4-on-3 power play, the referee awarded the Havoc a penalty shot, which Josh Liebenow took advantage of, beating Rick Nichol for the 7-6 victory.

It was a high-scoring first period with a total of eight goals scored and a 4-4 tie heading into the first intermission. Luke Phillips got the scoring barrage started only 2:07 into the game after Huntsville controlled the opening minutes of play. Jeff Dams collected the puck from behind the net and connected with Phillips who was wide open in the slot for his ninth goal of the season.

Winston-Salem tied the game 3 minutes, 41 seconds later when Graham Dearle made a strong lead pass to Trevor Jobe who broke into the Huntsville zone behind the Havoc defense and beat Adam MacLean for his sixth goal of the season and a 1-1 game.

Huntsville regained the lead, scoring two goals in less than a minute for a 3-1 Huntsville advantage. Jason Simon's one-timer from the left wing side put the Havoc up 2-1 at 7:53 of the period. Mike Degurse's 20th goal of the season then gave Huntsville the two-goal cushion at the 8:46 mark.

The Polar Twins would not be held down, however, as Affinati tallied two goals in 26 seconds for a 3-3 game. Both goals came from the slot in front of MacLean, giving Affinati a total of four goals on the season.

Trevor Karasiewicz put the Polar Twins out in front at 4-3 at the 13:54 mark of the first. Karasiewicz used his speed to loop around the back of the net and backhand a shot that caught MacLean out of position for the lead.

The see saw battle continued as Huntsville's Doug Merrell would add one more before the close of the opening frame to tie the game 4-4.

Huntsville tallied the only goal of the second period, a screen shot by Merrell that was just out of the reach of Nichol, making the score 5-4 in favor of Huntsville heading into the third.

In the third period, Shaun Aebig tied things up for the Polar Twins, tallying his team-leading 25th goal of the season at 7:30 of the period.

Steve Lajoie made it 6-5 Winston-Salem on a shorthanded goal at the 13:23 mark. MacLean mishandled the puck behind the net, turning it over to Lajoie who made quick work of the open net for his 12th goal of the season.

The Polar Twins travel to Fayetteville Thursday for their final road game of the season before returning home to close out the season with two at home. Friday the Jacksonville Barracudas make their final trek to Winston-Salem for a 7:30 p.m. start. Saturday the Twins finish out their inaugural season by hosting the Asheville Aces, also with a 7:30 p.m. faceoff.



SPHL Stories from March 12, 2005


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