FireAntz Lose Ground in Playoff Chase

March 15, 2005 - SPHL (SPHL)
Fayetteville Marksmen News Release

[Fayetteville, N.C.]—The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) dropped two of three games over the weekend, leaving them four points behind the Jacksonville Barracudas and the Macon Trax for second place.

Thursday March 10th (at Huntsville): The FireAntz traveled to Huntsville to take on the Havoc in a battle of two teams fighting for playoff seeding.

The FireAntz got two first period goals off the stick of Jamie Miller (7,8) to give them a 2-1 lead going into the 2nd period. Aaron Lewis scored for Huntsville in the period.

In the 2nd period, newcomer Jeff Mead who was playing in his first game for the club, scored to give the FireAntz a 3-1 lead at the 3:21 mark. Mike Degurse got one back for Huntsville to pull within one at 3-2 going into the 3rd period.

The Havoc's Josh Liebenow tied the game at 3 at the 4:17 mark. The FireAntz answered with two quick goals by Jeff Coulter (6th) and Sean Edwards (12th) to give them a 5-3 lead. Degurse netted his second of the game, after goaltender Matt Carmichael had been pulled for the extra-attacker, at 19:40. The FireAntz held on for the 5-4 victory.

Huntsville outshot the FireAntz 35-34.

FireAntz 29-22 on the season, (5-2 vs. Huntsville.)

Friday March 11th (at Columbus): The FireAntz next stop was in Columbus to take on the Cottonmouths in a pivotal game in the SPHL standings.

The FireAntz had several opportunities in the 1st period but could not capitalize thanks to stellar play in net by Chad Rycroft. The FireAntz outshot Columbus 18-4 in the first period.

Columbus took advantage of the FireAntz' inability to convert on their chances. Second period goals by Ryan Haggarty and Chris Rook gave them a 2-goal cushion heading into the 3rd period.

Three more goals for Columbus in the third period (Tim Green, Ryan Aikia, and Tylor Keller) would give the Cottonmouths a 5-0 victory over the FireAntz.

The FireAntz outshot Columbus 35-25.

FireAntz 29-23 on the season, (3-4 vs. Columbus.)

Saturday March 12th (at Jacksonville): The FireAntz concluded their road trip in Jacksonville to take on the front-runner for 2nd place in the SPHL and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

The Barracudas jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the 1st period on goals by Glenn Crawford and former-FireAnt Brent Rumble.

The FireAntz got on the board at the 1:44 mark of the 2nd period on an unassisted tally by George Nistas. Kory Baker then followed with an unassisted goal of his own, on the power play, to tie the game at 2. But Rumble would sting the FireAntz again at 18:30 of the 2nd period, netting his second of the game, and what would turn out to be the game-winner. The Barracudas defeated the FireAntz 3-2.

Jacksonville outshot the FireAntz 44-29.

FireAntz 29-24 on the season, (3-5 vs. Jacksonville.)

3 Stars of the Weekend:

Jamie Miller: 2 goals

Chad Peck: 2 assists

Steve Roberts: 2 assists

Recent Notes:

The FireAntz have three games remaining in the regular season and have already clinched a playoff berth. They could finish as high as second place which would allow them a first-round playoff bye.

3/9 D Josh Young waived

3/9 F Jeff Mead added

Noteworthy:

Mike Fournier played in his 104th game as a FireAnt on Thursday, passing Matt Kohansky for the all-time lead in games played with the organization. In those games, Fournier has accounted for 9 goals, 26 assists, and 301 penalty minutes.

The FireAntz have only 3 regular season home games remaining. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the FireAntz as they host Winston-Salem on March 17th. Get ready for summer on Beach Night, March 18th. The final regular season home game is March 20th as the FireAntz host league-leading Knoxville. Get in gear for the playoff run with the FireAntz. Great seats remain for all three games. Call the FireAntz office at (910) 321-0123 for more information.

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SPHL Stories from March 15, 2005

• FireAntz Lose Ground in Playoff Chase - Fayetteville Marksmen
• So close yet so far for the Twins - Winston-Salem Polar Twins
• Snakes eye second place and first round bye - Winston-Salem Polar Twins

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