Costantini Shines In Debut, Ice Bears Shut Out Macon On The Road
December 8, 2023 - SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release
Knoxville Ice Bears' Marco Costantini
(Knoxville Ice Bears)
Marco Costantini recorded 23 saves for a shutout in his pro debut and the Ice Bears defeated the Macon Mayhem 3-0 at the Macon Coliseum Friday night. The win is the fourth in a row for Knoxville and the sixth in its last seven games.
Tyler Rollo broke a lengthy scoreless tie in the third period with a wrist shot at 4:39 for his third goal of the year. Joshua Karlsson broke the puck out to Rollo, who carried it into the zone on the right side. Rollo squared up and fired the puck past Josh Boyko to give Knoxville the lead.
Kirill Nizhnikov provided an insurance marker at 9:14 with a one-timer from the right circle. Newcomer Derek Osik entered the zone on the left wing and neatly placed the puck to Rollo to create a two-on-one. Rollo dished the puck from the slot to the right circle for a tape-to-tape pass that allowed Nizhnikov to seamlessly put his shot on net for his first as an Ice Bear.
Jordy Stallard scored on an empty net with 27 seconds remaining to cap off the scoring.
Knoxville shut down Macon's attack down the stretch, limiting chances for the Mayhem to just six shots on goal. The Ice Bears also killed off all five Macon power play attempts.
Both goalies had strong starts to keep the game scoreless after the first period. Macon's Boyko stopped Rollo's breakaway and kicked away Brady Fleurent's shorthanded attempt in the slot. Costantini blocked Justin Cmunt's one-timer from in front of the crease and turned away Alex Laplante's breakaway surge.
Knoxville had several power play chances in the second period, but failed to convert. Costantini stopped a good Macon chance from the right circle and the two teams remained scoreless at the break. Boyko finished with 33 saves for Macon.
The two teams will face off again Saturday night at the Macon Coliseum for the second of two meetings this weekend.
Images from this story
 Knoxville Ice Bears' Marco Costantini |
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