SPHL Fayetteville Marksmen

FireAntz earn split on opening weekend

Published on October 31, 2006 under SPHL (SPHL)
Fayetteville Marksmen News Release


[FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] - The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) hosted two games this weekend to kick off the 2006-07 season, earning a split of the two games.

Friday, October 27th (vs. Richmond): The FireAntz hosted the expansion Richmond Renegades on Friday, the first ever meeting between the two clubs in front of 4,688 fans at the Cumberland County Crown Coliseum.

Richmond got out to a fast start, capitalizing on FireAntz errors, in the first period. Three goals (Duane Whitehead, Andre Gill and Danny White) in the first 3:49 catapulted the Renegades to a 3-0 lead. B.J. Stephens answered with one for the FireAntz, slamming home a rebound off of a shot by rookie Tim Velemirovich.

The FireAntz dominated play in the second period, outshooting Richmond 17-9 in the frame. Stephens tallied his second of the game on the rebound of a Josh Welter shot. Renegades' goaltender Doug Groenestege made several crucial saves in the frame to hold the advantage at 4-2 going in to the third.

Richmond tacked on two more in the third (Tyler Schemp and JJ Wrobel) to earn the club's first ever victory at the expense of the FireAntz.

FireAntz outshot Richmond 42-29.

FireAntz 0-1-0 on the season. (0-1-0 vs. Richmond)

Saturday, October 28th (vs. Columbus): The FireAntz hosted the Columbus Cottonmouths Saturday night. Columbus won the previous night 5-2 against the Pee Dee Cyclones.

Dylan Row got things going for the FireAntz, netting his first professional goal, and setting the theme for the evening. Ryan Rutz (Columbus) and Nick Kormanyos (Fayetteville) traded tallies and the score was 2-1 at the end of the first period.

The teams traded goals again in the second frame, Mark Prentice and Ryan Rutz for Columbus and Jarrett Robertson and Row (2nd). The game went into the third period with the FireAntz holding a 4-3 advantage.

Three consecutive goals were scored by FireAntz first-year defensemen in the third period. Row completed his hat trick and then Adam Meyer and Pekka Saittakari each notched their first professional goals. Josh Welter completed his completed his five-point weekend, and the scoring for the evening, with a goal at 18:20 to put the finishing touches on an 8-3 FireAntz win.

FireAntz outshot Jacksonville 43-35.

FireAntz 1-1-0 on the season. (1-0-0 vs. Columbus)

3 Stars of the Weekend:

Dylan Row: 3G, 1A

Josh Welter: 1G, 4 A

B.J. Stephens: 2G, 1A

Recent Notes:

10/25 F Tyler Perry announced his retirement (wrist)

10/24 D Tim Schneider recalled to Bloomington (UHL)

Noteworthy:

Josh Welter has at least a point in 15 consecutive games dating back to last season (14G, 16A).

FireAntz rookies Dylan Row (3 goals), Tim Velemirovich (3 assists), Adam Meyer (1 goal) and Pekka Saittakari (1 goal) all notched their first career points over the weekend.

Upcoming:

The FireAntz next home game is Friday, November 3rd at 7:30 against the Knoxville Ice Bears on the "Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes Tribute Night." Corporate partners for the game are Lane Automotive, Caines Trucking of Riegelwood, Walker Family Chiropractic, Cedar Creek Urgent Care, Pro Graphix, King Signs and Carolina Truck and Auto Accessories.

Season tickets and Corporate Partnerships for the 2006-07 campaign are still available. Contact the FireAntz office (910) 321-0123 for more information.

Check out the Fayetteville Marksmen Statistics

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