Four-point weekend for Trax

February 23, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


RECORD TO DATE: 18-17-5 (41 points) 5th place in WHA2

THIS WEEK:

THU Feb. 26 TRAX @ Jacksonville 7:05 p.m. Veterans Memorial Arena

A week ago the Trax battled for forty minutes before a tough third period let down. It was the fourth time the Trax vested the new Arena and the fourth time they left without a win. Thursday will be their fifth and final chance to beat the ‘Cudas in Jacksonville. Heading into the week only Miami and Lakeland have picked up wins at the Veterans Memorial Arena.

Season Series: Jacksonville leads 8-2 (Most recent: 5-4 loss, Feb. 20 @ JAX)

SAT Feb. 28 TRAX @ Orlando 7:35 p.m. TD Waterhouse Centre

The Trax hope to put out the fire on the Seals' Guns ‘n' Hoses Night. Orlando expects a big contingent of fire and police officials at the game and the Trax hope to be the ones who put on the show. The Seals are thinking revenge after Sunday's big Trax win.

Season Series: Tied 3-3-1 (Most recent: 2-1 WIN, Feb. 22 @ ORL)

SUN Feb. 29 Alabama @ TRAX 3:05 p.m. Macon Centreplex

**TIME CHANGE**

Calling all "Willies" and NASCAR fans. Anybody with a name of William, Bill, Willie, Williams, etc gets into the game free. We are celebrating the fact Willie Nelson is coming to town. Also, any fan that holds a Willie Nelson concert ticket will get free parking and tickets to the Trax game for only $3. As a special treat a very special "Willie" will be at the game to drop the puck...

If that is not enough, the Atlanta Motor Speedway is bringing their pace car to the arena for all to see. In addition to the pace car any fan who wears NASCAR attire can get $2 off their tickets and a chance to win prizes, including tickets to the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Of course, the bigger news is the Trax have ice at the Centreplex. If you have missed seeing hockey in Macon, the Trax return to home ice for the first time since Feb. 3.

Season Series: Tied 5-5-1 (Most recent: 4-3 WIN, Feb. 21 @ ALA)

MON Mar. 1 TRAX @ Lakeland 7:05 p.m. Lakeland Center

The Trax head back to the road for another tough five game road trip. Macon enters the final month of the regular season looking to edge their way into the playoffs. The Loggerheads are out of the playoff picture but have played better as of late. Last weekend they beat Miami two nights in a row on home ice. The Trax will have to bring their "A" game to shell the turtles.

Season Series: Macon leads 6-0-1 (Most recent: 5-4 WIN, Feb. 3 @ MAC)

LAST WEEK:

FRI Feb. 20 TRAX @ Jacksonville (5-4 loss) 7:05 p.m. Veterans Memorial Arena

The Barracudas recovered from an early Macon goal to beat the Trax 5-4 at the Veteran's Memorial Arena.

Rob Bonneau, signed prior to the game, scored two goals and added two assists in his debut. Randy Hevey was spectacular in net for the ‘Cudas making 40 saves for the win.

Luke Murphy got the Trax on the board first, just 35 seconds into the game, picking up a great feed by Steve Zoryk and beating goaltender Randy Hevey. Jacksonville tied it up midway through the first when Lyle Steenbergen beat Andy Kollar on the power play.

Both teams exchanged goals in the second period. Jamie Miller put Jacksonville out in front with his 24th goal of the year. Macon tied it up just 1:12 later when Andrew Katzberg scored his fourth of the year.

In the third, the Barracudas took a commanding 5-2 lead with two goals from Rob Bonneau and a goal from Mark Phenow. Luke Murphy scored his second goal of the night and David Deeves tallied his 22nd just under three minutes later and the Trax cut the 'Cudas lead to one.

Macon was called for a questionable "Too Many Men on the Ice" penalty while pulling the goaltender late, allowing the Barracudas to hold off Macon's late charge.

SAT Feb. 21 TRAX @ Alabama (4-3 WIN) 7:35 p.m.(CST) Pelham Civic Center

Every time the Trax and Slammers meet the games are close, tough and fun for hockey fans. Tonight was no different as the Trax powered their way to a 4-3 victory.

Steve Zoryk finished his four point night with a power play goal 10:44 into the final period. Along with Zoryk's big night, goalie Geoff Faulkner made 43 saves in net for his tenth victory of the season.

The Zoryk power play goal should be considered a gift. Slammers tough man Tom Wilson took an ill advised penalty at the worst time.

At a stoppage in play Wilson wasn't happy with a couple of the Macon Trax players who were on the bench. The Slammers defenseman skates to the Macon bench and attempted to punch backup goalie Andy Kollar. The referee saw the whole incident and sent Wilson off the ice with penalties.

The game started out looking like the Trax would dominate. Just over five minutes into the game the Trax scored two quick goals. Benoit Cotnoir opened up the scoring with assists to Zoryk and Craig Miller. John Gurskis stretched the lead to two, when Luke Murphy and Zoryk assists.

After Justin Schabes cut the lead to one, the Trax special teams earned a tough goal. Murphy came down the ice two on one with Zoryk in tow. The two played a nice passing game, before Murphy waited and buried the shot past Jamie Ronayne.

The Slammers fought back as they always seem to do against the Trax. Jerry Kresac stiffed a rebound shot to the back of the net. Assists were credited to Doug Lawrence and Jorin Welsh.

SUN Feb. 22 TRAX @ Orlando (2-1 WIN) 4:05 p.m. TD Waterhouse Centre

The Trax finished the weekend in style by grinding out a 2-1 victory over the second place Orlando Seals. Geoff Faulkner stood tall in net making 27 saves for his eleventh win of the season.

The Trax got on the board first when Edan Welch buried a rebound from a John Gurskis shot at the 2:47 mark of the first period. It was a much needed goal for Welch as he had a tough night Saturday in Alabama.

The rest of the first period saw up and down action but no goals. Both teams came out charged early in the second period exchanging hits and stepping up the physical play.

The Seals Mike Fournier netted his fourth goal of the season to tie the game just past the half way mark of the middle period. Faulkner would not let another Seal find the back of the net.

Late in the period defenseman Ryan Anderson took an elbowing penalty to set up the Trax seventh power play of the game. This would be the difference.

Benoit Cotnoir started the rush for the Trax and delivered a pass to Welch. Welch fed Gurskis in front of the net for the power play, game winning goal.

TRAX TIDBITS:

· "CHUGGIN' WITH THE TRAX" is changing to Tuesdays for the month of March. Join Adam Minnick, Tommy Stewart and Trax Players Tuesdays in March at the TOM HILL SR. APPLEBEE'S Grill & Bar Location. The show is live 6-7pm Mar. 2, 9, 16, 13, 30.

· FEB. 29—"WILLIE NIGHT"—Free Parking and discounted tickets for all Willie Nelson Ticket

Holders.

If your name is Willie, William, Bill, Williams, etc.—FREE TICKET!

· FEB. 29—"NASCAR NIGHT"—All NASCAR fans will have a chance to win tickets for the RICHARD PETTY DRIVING EXPERIENCE and other great Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift Packs. Also, the Atlanta Motor Speedway Pace Car will be on hand.

· FEB. 29—"LEAP BABY BASH"—If you have a birthday on Feb. 29, just show your ID for a free ticket.

· GAME DATE AND TIME CHANGES:

Road Games:

Feb. 13 game @ Lakeland will now be on Sunday, Mar. 7 at 4:05 pm.

Feb. 15 game @ Miami has been changed to Saturday, Mar. 8 at 7:35 pm.

HOME GAMES:

Sunday, Feb. 29 has been changed to a 3:05 pm start time against Alabama.

Saturday Mar. 27 has been changed to a 6:05 pm start time against Orlando.

· MAR. 18—The second and final "SEASON TICKET REDEMPTION NIGHT"—Any unused tickets can be exchanged for a ticket to the Mar. 18 game versus Orlando.

TEAM APPEARANCES:

Wednesday—Feb. 25, EAGLE 92.3 FM—4 pm Wednesday—Feb. 25, City Club of Macon—12:30-2:00pm

TEAM NOTES:

The Trax have not lost in regulation when scoring first, leading after the first period, and/or leading after the second period. The Trax continue to lead the WHA2 with an 85.6% success rate on the penalty kill. STANDOUTS:

JOHN GURSKIS leads the WHA2 with two shorthanded goals. STEVE ZORYK is fourth in the league with 19 power play points. GEOFF FAULKNER is fifth among goalies with 11 wins and seventh in goals against average with a 3.64 mark.

TRAX PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

· STEVE ZORYK—Zoryk carried the Trax with to their win on Saturday in Alabama. The Trax Assistant Captain assisted on the team's first three goals before scoring the game winning goal on the power play in the third period. Overall the Timmons, Ont., Canada native scored six points (1G, 5A) and had nine shots in three games this past weekend.



SPHL Stories from February 23, 2004


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