Billett Shuts out Mayhem in Pensacola
March 23, 2019 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Mayhem News Release
PENSACOLA, FL - The Mayhem's attack dried up on Friday night at the hands of Brian Billett and a stingy Pensacola defense, resulting in a 2-0 Ice Flyers victory.
Goaltender Kevin Entmaa, making his professional debut in net for the Mayhem, was tested early and often by the Pensacola attack. The 24-year-old was equal to the challenge, turning aside multiple deflections and point-blank shots in the first handful of minutes. However, Macon found itself shorthanded just 5:13 into the contest. The Ice Flyers took advantage of the extra man, and managed to set up Tim Moore with a wide open one-timer in the left circle. He smashed the puck past Entmaa and gave the Flyers a 1-0 edge.
The Mayhem created ample opportunities to respond before the first period ended. John Siemer found himself between the Pensacola defense on top of the crease. He whacked a couple of shots on net, but veteran goaltender Billett held his ground. Billett would also deny the SPHL's leading goal-scorer Jake Trask after the longtime Mayhem forward had dipped his shoulder to deke around a defenseman and drove at the net.
Both teams exchanged power play opportunities early in the first period, but each penalty kill answered the call. Pensacola's shorthanded unit took things a step further on their next opportunity, and generated offense of its own.
Not only did the Ice Flyers' penalty killers keep Macon's sharpshooters off the scoreboard, they doubled their own lead with a shorthanded goal. Late in the middle stanza, Andrew Schmit motored over the Mayhem blue line and snapped a shot on Entmaa's net. The rookie goaltender made the stop, but the puck rebounded directly to Pensacola Captain Josh Cousineau, who backhanded it past Cousineau 16:50 into the second period.
Billett kept the Mayhem off the board for the rest of the tilt, turning aside a whopping 15 Macon shots in the closing stanza. He earned his fourth shutout of the season and was named the first star of the game.
Entmaa displayed an impressive performance in his professional debut, stopping 31 of Pensacola's 33 shots. Billett earned his second shutout against Macon this season, denying all 29 shots he faced. The Mayhem will close the road series against the Ice Flyers tomorrow night at Pensacola Bay Center. Puck drops at 8:05 pm EST.
• Discuss this story on the SPHL message board...
SPHL Stories from March 23, 2019
- Ostepchuk Stops 31 Shots in Loss to Bulls - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Rivermen Cap Cold War on 74 with Victory over Storm - Peoria Rivermen
- Cesarz Scores First Goal with Mayhem in Narrow Loss - Macon Mayhem
- Bulls Sweep Evansville on the Road - Birmingham Bulls
- Dawgs Drop Marksmen, 5-3, in Front of Record Crowd - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Storm Add Collegiate Scoring Power - Quad City Storm
- SPHL Announces Suspensions - SPHL
- Preview: Mayhem at Pensacola Ice Flyers (Game 52) - Macon Mayhem
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (24-23-4) vs Marksmen (24-19-8) - 7:05 PM - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Havoc Roll over the Marksmen 8-2 - Huntsville Havoc
- Havoc Dominate 8-2, Spoil Marksmen Home Finale - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Thunderbolts Fall to Bulls in First Game of Weekend Series - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Billett Shuts out Mayhem in Pensacola - Macon Mayhem
- Rivermen Dominate Quad City, Cruise to 3-1 Victory in Road Finale - Peoria Rivermen
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.
