FireAntz take five of six points at home
February 7, 2006 - SPHL (SPHL)
Fayetteville Marksmen News Release
[FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] - The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) hosted three games this past weekend, winning two and losing one in overtime, taking five out of a total six points. The weekend's performance solidified their hold on second place as they are now three points ahead of third-place Columbus and just four points behind first-place Knoxville.
Thursday, February 2nd (vs. Florida): The FireAntz hosted the Seals on Thursday night in the first of two consecutive matchups. The two clubs split the first six contests on the season.
George Nistas (19th) made a splash in his return to the lineup, after missing the last four FireAntz games, netting the first goal of the game on a two-on-one rush with Kory Baker at 13:38. Craig Miller tied the game for Florida at the 16:02 mark, sending the teams to intermission knotted at a goal apiece.
The clubs traded leads in the second period and five total goals were scored in the second period, three for the Seals and two for the FireAntz. In the third period, on a power play, Nick Kormanyos (11th) tied the game at four sending it to overtime.
In the overtime period, Steve Zoryk jumped on a turnover in the FireAntz zone and put away the game winner, his second goal of the game.
Florida outshot the FireAntz 33-20.
FireAntz 22-12-4 on the season. (3-3-1 vs. Florida)
Friday, February 3rd (vs. Florida): The FireAntz looked to rebound against the Seals after falling in overtime the previous night.
Dean Jackson, the FireAntz leading goal-scorer with 20 goals coming into the game, got the club on the board just 2:45 into the 1st frame on the power-play. Then, on three consecutive face-offs fights broke out between the two clubs, igniting the crowd of 3,042 at the Crown Coliseum. Mark Phenow tacked on to the lead with a power play goal of his own, his seventh of the season, at the 18:21 mark to send the FireAntz into the intermission with a 2-0 advantage.
Jackson tallied his second of the game (22nd) at 15:26 of the 2nd period to give the FireAntz a 3-0 edge.
Goaltender Glenn Ridler was just 3 seconds away from his first professional shutout when Dominick Dawes found the back of the net to provide the final tally, 3-1.
Florida outshot the FireAntz 32-30.
FireAntz 23-12-4 on the season. (4-3-1 vs. Florida)
Saturday, February 4th (vs. Jacksonville): The Jacksonville Barracudas were in town on "Saluting the Military Night with the FireAntz." The Crown Coliseum was buzzing with 6,126 fans in attendance, along with special military guests, the 82nd Airborne Band and the 82nd Airborne Color Guard.
The FireAntz got on the board early and often as Rob Whidden (12th) and Scott Corbett (17th, shorthanded) tallied in the 1st period. It was much more of the same in the 2nd frame as George Nistas (20th) and Nick Kormanyos (12th) also netted goals in the period. Dan Hickman got the Barracudas on the board in the frame.
With a 4-1 lead in the 3rd period, the FireAntz iced the game on power-play goals by Nistas (2nd, 21st) and Mark Phenow (8th) and the club cruised to the 6-1 victory.
The FireAntz outshot Jacksonville 32-28.
FireAntz 24-12-4 on the season. (6-1-0 vs. Jacksonville)
3 Stars of the Weekend:
Scott Corbett: 2G, 5A
George Nistas: 3G
Dean Jackson: 2G, 2A
Noteworthy:
The FireAntz lead the SPHL in attendance with 3,600 per game (22 games).
Glenn Ridler is tied for 1st among goaltenders in wins with 17 (Rycroft, Columbus).
Mike Clarke is 1st among defensemen and 6th overall with 52 points (8G, 44A).
Upcoming:
The FireAntz next home games are Friday, February 10th at 7:35 pm versus the Columbus Cottonmouths and Sunday, February 12th at 4:00 pm versus the Huntsville Havoc. Great seats remain for both games. Call the FireAntz office at (910) 321-0123 for more information.
SPHL Stories from February 7, 2006
- Cottonmouths announce Rycroft named Player of the Month and $2.00 Tuesdays. - Columbus Cottonmouths
- FireAntz take five of six points at home - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Swider repeats as Sher-wood Hockey Player of the Week - SPHL
- Snakes Play Four in Five Nights This Week - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Barracudas Team Up With "Let Us Play" Foundation - Jacksonville Barracudas
- Barracudas Sign Goaltender - Jacksonville Barracudas
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