SPHL Fayetteville Marksmen

FireAntz Start 2-0 on the Road

October 27, 2008 - SPHL (SPHL)
Fayetteville Marksmen News Release


[FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] - The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) got the 2008-09 season off to a good start, this weekend, by defeating the Knoxville Ice Bears on Friday and the Richmond Renegades on Saturday, both on the road.

Friday, October 24th (at Knoxville): The FireAntz traveled to Knoxville to take on the defending President's Cup champion Ice Bears in each team's opening game of the season.

The FireAntz got on the board as rookie Carl Bresser (1) split two Knoxville defenders and beat goaltender Andrew Gallant to net the club's first goal of the 2008-09 season at 1:51 of the first period. Knoxville would tie the score, a power play tally, when Jon Foster wristed a shot that just snuck by goaltender Chad Collins.

After no scoring in the second frame the Ice Bears would take the lead on a goal by Mark VanVliet at 9:49. Another FireAnt rookie, Mike Ruberto (1) tied the game at two when he scored at 15:01. With just 1:05 remaining in the contest, Rob Sich (1) outworked two Knoxville defenders and slid a backhanded wraparound that just beat Gallant to give the FireAntz the 3-2 advantage that they would hold for their first victory of the season.

Knoxville outshot the FireAntz 34-27.

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

Saturday, October 25th (at Richmond): The FireAntz then visited Richmond and both teams were looking to start the year 2-0.

The FireAntz, once again, got on the board first as Jarrett Robertson (1) netted his first goal of the season at 6:33 of the first frame. Richmond would get the next two on goals from defensemen Dan Vandermeer and John Halverson. Richmond led at the end of the first, 2-1.

The Renegades took a 3-1 advantage on Vandermeer's second of the game just :26 into the second period. The FireAntz would not be denied, however, as Justin Keller (1, 2) notched two goals to tie the contest going into the third period.

Keller (3) would complete his natural hat trick at 4:26 and give the FireAntz a 4-3 lead that they would not reliquish. Rob Colangeo (1, pp) and Jeff Genovy (1, pp) would both tally their first goals as members of the FireAntz to complete the scoring, and the weekend road sweep for the FireAntz, 6-3 over the Renegades.

Richmond outshot the FireAntz 37-30.

FireAntz 2-0-0 on the season (1-0-0 vs. Richmond)

Three Stars of the Weekend:

Chad Collins: 2-0-0, 2.50 GAA, .930 sv %

Justin Keller: 3 G, +1, 1 GWG

Rob Sich: 1 G, 1 A, +2, 1 GWG

Noteworthy:

FireAntz rookies Carl Bresser (1 G, 1 A), Brad Johnston (2 A), Mike Ruberto (1 G) all recorded their first professional points.

Defenseman Lawne Snyder was removed from the game against Richmond with an undisclosed injury.

Upcoming:

The FireAntz will return to Fayetteville for their Home Opener on Friday, October 31st at 7:30 pm against the Huntsville Havoc. Fans can "Trick-or-Treat with the FireAntz" and are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes as there will be a $100 cash prize awarded in the costume contest. Additionally, one lucky fan will get to shoot in the all new "Dream Shot", for $5,000, courtesy of Century 21 Weaver and Associates. There are special group prices for Opening Night, available only from the FireAntz office, of 20 tickets for only $99. Opening Night with the FireAntz is presented by Flow Mazda.

The FireAntz will also host a game on Saturday, November 1st at 7:30 pm against the Knoxville Ice Bears. It is the 5th installment of "Operation Welcome Home" as the Home Builders Association of Fayetteville and the FireAntz have once again combined efforts to provide 5,000 tickets to men and women of the military who have returned home from overseas. There will also be an ice dedication ceremony to honor Thomas M. Bolton Sr. prior to the game. This game is brought to you by Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, the Home Builders Association of Fayetteville, MSA Paraclete, Operation Ceasefire, and the Crown Center.

Check out the Fayetteville Marksmen Statistics



SPHL Stories from October 27, 2008


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