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Auffrey Scores Winner in 4-2 RiverHawks Victory

November 4, 2011 - SPHL (SPHL)
Augusta RiverHawks News Release


Friday night Matt Auffrey got the proverbial "monkey off his back" in the best way possible scoring the game-winning goal with just over six minutes remaining in the third period, leading the RiverHawks to a 4-2 victory over the Huntsville Havoc. After winning the Southern Professional Hockey League's Most Valuable Player award last season Auffrey has been getting no breaks to start the season and had gone goalless in his first five games before snapping the cold streak tonight.

The win was the RiverHawks' fifth in a row and gives them a SPHL-leading record of 6-1 on the season. Newly signed goaltender BJ O'Brien made 29 saves for his first career victory as a professional.

The RiverHawks got on the board first. Forward Chris Doyle sent a pretty saucer pass to the point where defenseman Curtis Megginson let loose a one-timer that beat Havoc goaltender Mark Sibbald. The goal was Megginson's first of the season.

The Havoc negated that lead later in the first period. Forward Ryan Kretzer picked up a loose rebound in the RiverHawks' slot and fired the puck over the sprawled RiverHawks' goaltender.

The game would stay tied through nearly all of the second period, but the RiverHawks were able to regain the lead with 27 seconds left in the stanza. Jason Price would sneak in from the point and find the loose puck at the top of the crease. He made no mistake as he fired it into the back of the net right, giving his team a 2-1 lead.

Early in the third period the Havoc would knot the game up again, as a RiverHawks' turnover along the boards would result in a Mike MacDonald pass out front to Rick Schrank who would one-time it between O'Brien's legs.

The game was tense for six minutes until Auffrey set the building ablaze. Linemate Travis Dunstall made a nice move at the blue line to generate the offensive opportunity. His shot would he a Havoc defenseman in front of the net, but the rebound would go straight to Auffrey who snapped a hard shot past Sibbald for what would be the game-winning goal.

The game remained tight until there was just over two minutes remaining when Dustin Cloutier would score his second goal in as many games. This one came on the power play and gave the RiverHawks some insurance.

The RiverHawks are back in action Saturday night on Phoenix Refrigeration Ice at the James Brown Arena as they play the Fayetteville FireAntz. The puck drops at 7:35pm. Tickets for the games are available through the James Brown Arena box office. Additional information on the Team, tickets, and schedule are available on the RiverHawks' home on the web, www.augustariverhawks.com or by calling 706-993-2645.



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