FireAntz Weekend Wrap-Up
Published on November 27, 2006 under SPHL (SPHL)
Fayetteville Marksmen News Release
[FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] - The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) played three games in three nights this weekend, winning a home-and-home set against Pee Dee and dropping one at Richmond.
Thursday, November 23rd (vs. Jacksonville): The FireAntz hosted their I-95 rivals, the Pee Dee Cyclones, for the first time this season. In their only meeting thus far, in Florence, South Carolina on November 4th, the Cyclones beat the FireAntz in overtime 4-3.
The clubs were tied at two after two periods of play. Goals for the FireAntz by Tim Velemirovich (5) and Josh Tataryn (5) were countered by goals by Geoff Rollins and Eden Welch.
Bryan Dobek (7) put the FireAntz ahead at the 5:15 of the third frame. Daryl Moore answered less than two minutes later, knotting the game at three. The FireAntz rallied, once again, with a power play goal by B.J. Stephens (6). They got an insurance goal at 14:22 off the stick of newcomer David Mullins (1). With goaltender Guy St. Vincent pulled, Rollins netted his second of the game to pull Pee Dee back within a goal at 5-4. That would be as close as they would as the FireAntz held on for their 5th win in six contests.
The FireAntz outshot Pee Dee 43-37.
FireAntz 5-4-1 on the season. (1-0-1 vs. Pee Dee)
Friday, November 24th (at Pee Dee): The FireAntz took the road to complete the home-and-home series against the Cyclones. Goaltender Garrett Kindred was looking for his first professional victory and the team was looking for their first road win of the season.
The FireAntz outshot Pee Dee in the first frame, 11-5, but it didn't show on the scoreboard as the teams went to the locker room knotted at 1. Goals were scored by Edan Welch play and Jared Wiseman (2).
The second period was much the same as the first, except they tallied two apiece, no just one. Pee Dee's Chris Rebernik gave the Cyclones the 3-2 edge. Consecutive goals by the FireAntz' Josh Tataryn (6) and Josh Welter (4) provided the FireAntz' first lead of the evening, 4-3. The Cyclones' Eric Frank scored shorthanded at 17:42 to send the game to the third frame, all-square, at four aside.
Another close battle between I-95 rivals was, once again, decided in the third period. B.J. Stephens (7) tallied, unassisted, at 3:30. Josh Piro (3) extended the lead to two goals with a power play goal at 17:39. The Cyclones were not done yet, however, netting a shorthanded goal by Frank, his second of the game, at 18:58 to pull within one at 5-4. Stephens (8) sealed the FireAntz' first road victory and goaltender Garrett Kindred's first professional win with an empty net goal at 19:45.
Pee Dee outshot the FireAntz 35-34.
FireAntz 6-4-1 on the season. (2-0-1 vs. Pee Dee)
Saturday, November 25th (at Richmond): The FireAntz looked for the sweep of the three-game weekend with a road tilt in Richmond. Their only previous meeting was a 5-2 Richmond victory in Fayetteville on opening night of the 2006-07 season.
The FireAntz quickly fell behind three on goals by Andre Gill, Danny White, and JJ Wrobel. Tim Velemirovich (6) pulled the club within two goals, tallying at 18:50 of the first period.
The FireAntz would pull even in the second frame on goals by Jared Wiseman (3) and Marcus Reszka (1). Once again, for the FireAntz, the game would be decided in the third period.
Richmond, once again, scored three consecutive goals and once again they were off the sticks of Wrobel, Gill, and White. Josh Welter made the score a little closer with a goal at the 19 minute mark, but to no avail as the FireAntz fell 6-4.
The FireAntz outshot Richmond 33-25.
FireAntz 6-5-1 on the season (0-2-0 vs. Richmond)
3 Stars of the Weekend:
B.J. Stephens: 3G, 3A, +1
Tim Velemirovich: 2G, 3A, +2
Garrett Kindred: 1st professional win
Recent Transactions:
- 11/22 D Marcus Reszka signed to a contract
- 11/22 F Andre Niec signed to a contract
- 11/22 F Brandon Doria signed to a contract
- 11/22 D David Mullins signed to a 5-game tryout
- 11/25 D Rob Meanchoff placed on 30-day IR retroactive to Nov. 18
- 11/25 F Chris Ferguson signed to a contract
- 11/27 F Jarrett Robertson reassigned from Augusta (ECHL)
Noteworthy:
The FireAntz lead the SPHL in scoring with 60 goals (5.00 GPG).
Garrett Kindred recorded his first professional victory 11/24.
Dylan Row leads all SPHL defensemen in goals (7) and points (13).
Upcoming:
The FireAntz host two games this upcoming weekend. On Friday, December 1st, the Richmond Renegades come back into town. Then, on Saturday, December 2nd, the FireAntz host the Huntsville Havoc on Nascar Night. The event is brought to you by Rick Hendrick Toyota, Allstate Glass, Carolina Truck & Auto Accessories, Hope Mills Glass, The Original Italian Pie, Keller Williams Realty, Long John Silvers, Master Exterminators, Taco Bell, and Paige Walker of Re/Max Allstars. Great seats remain for both games and special group rates are available from the FireAntz office at (910) 321-0123.
SPHL Stories from November 27, 2006
- FireAntz Weekend Wrap-Up - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Rycroft Named Sherwood Player of the Week - SPHL
- Week Five in Review - Huntsville Havoc
- Cyclones' Night at Carolina Wings - Twin City Cyclones
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
