SPHL Fayetteville Marksmen

FireAntz take three out of four games

Published on February 5, 2007 under SPHL (SPHL)
Fayetteville Marksmen News Release


[FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] - The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) played four games in five nights last week and proved victorious in three of the four contests.

Tuesday, January 30th (at Knoxville): The FireAntz traveled to long-time rival Knoxville, where they had dropped both prior contests this season.

In a high-scoring first frame, the FireAntz built a 4-2 advantage. Goals were scored by Jarrett Robertson (pp, 9th), Marc Norrington (3rd), Rob Sich (pp, 20th), and B.J. Stephens (pp, 21st). Knoxville had tallies by Rob Flynn and Nick Fouts.

The FireAntz held on as the teams combined for three more goals with Sich and Stephens each notching their second of the game. The FireAntz went on to win 6-3 for the first victory at Knoxville of the season.

Chad Collins turned aside 27 of 30 shots on goal, earning his 12th win on the season.

Thursday, February 1st (vs. Knoxville): The FireAntz returned home to face the Ice Bears and wrap up their home-and-home series. It would be the first game of a three-game in three-night set for Fayetteville.

In a evenly matched first period Jarrett Robertson (10th) provided the only tally and gave the FireAntz the advantage going into the second frame.

Knoxville took the momentum in the second period notching three of the four scores. Curtis Menzul, Mike Tuomi, and Mike Craigen all lit the lamp for the Ice Bears while Tim Velemirovich (pp, 14th) tallied for the FireAntz.

With a 4-2 lead in the third period, Knoxville's Craigen netted twice on the power play, putting the game out of reach for the FireAntz. Trailing 5-2 in the final minute, and Chad Collins pulled for an extra attacker, Mike Clarke (2nd) scored on the power play to make the score more respectable, 5-3.

Friday, February 2nd (at Richmond): The FireAntz took to the road to take on Richmond, where the team had only one once in four contests, against the Renegades.

After Richmond jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by J.J. Wrobel, the FireAntz scored the next three of the contest. Tim Velemirovich (2, 16th) and Josh Tataryn (17th) provided the club a 3-1 advantage going into the intermission. The FireAntz outshot the Renegades 16-6 in the first period.

The clubs traded goals in the second frame with Chad Wilcox earning his first score as a member of the FireAntz. Danny White scored for Richmond.

The FireAntz had a 4-2 lead in the third that almost slipped away. Mat Goody and Wrobel tallied to tie the contest at 4. The FireAntz answered back, however, on an unassisted goal by Adam Meyer (5th). The club held on to the lead and got the win 5-4.

Saturday, February 3rd (vs. Pee Dee): The FireAntz returned to the Crown Coliseum Saturday to finish their four-games in five-nights stretch. The FireAntz have had the Cyclones number thus far in the season, with a 4-1-1 record, against their I-95 rival.

In a very even contest, the teams were knotted at 1 going into the third frame. A shorthanded goal by Marc Norrington (4th) in the first and a powerplay goal by the leading scorer in the SPHL, Allan Sirois, were the only scores through two periods.

In the third period, the FireAntz turned it on. Josh Piro (7th) and Jarrett Robertson (pp, 12th) gave the team a two-goal lead. Pee Dee newcomer Anthony Becker pulled the Cyclones within one at 14:59. But the FireAntz didn't relent. FireAntz leading scorer, B.J. Stephens (23rd), gave the team a two-goal advantage, once again, that they held. Rob Sich (en, 22nd) scored the final goal of the weekend, and allowed for the club to win three of their four hard-fought contests.

Recent Notes:

Forwards Chris Ferguson and Nick Kormanyos remain on the 30-day IR

Forwards Josh Welter and Denny Reagan day-to-day

Defenseman Trevor Wolfe was granted emergency leave from the club

Forward Chad Wilcox was signed to a contract

3-Stars of the Weekend

Rob Sich: 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points

Mike Clarke: 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points

Chad Collins: 3-1-0, .900 save pct.

Upcoming:

The FireAntz take to the road this week and will play four total games in five nights. The FireAntz next home games are Saturday and Sunday, February 17th and the 18th. On February 17th the FireAntz host the Pee Dee Cyclones at 7:35pm at the Crown. Sunday, the 18th, the Richmond Renegades invade the Crown at 4pm. Great seats still remain and there are outstanding group rates available from the FireAntz office at (910) 321-0123.

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