SPHL Huntsville Havoc

Havoc Advances, Set To Face Columbus In Semi-Finals

March 31, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Huntsville Havoc News Release


HUNTSVILLE, AL - The Huntsville Havoc beat the Mississippi RiverKings in the first round of the SPHL Playoffs and will advance to take on the Columbus Cottonmouths in the semi-finals. Columbus upset the No. 3 see Peoria to advance. The VBC is hosting the circus so all Havoc home games will be played at the Huntsville Municipal Ice Complex. Game one will be Wednesday night at 7:30 at the IcePlex. Columbus will host game two on Thursday night and game three, if needed, will be at the IcePlex on Sunday evening at 5:00. Ticket information will be released Monday afternoon.

Thursday, March 27 - Huntsville 2, Mississippi RiverKings 4

HUNTSVILLE, AL - The game between Mississippi RiverKings and the Huntsville Havoc was tight through all 60 minutes, but in the end Mississippi RiverKings emerged with a 4-2 win.

Mississippi RiverKings gained the winning advantage on a goal by Matt Whitehead 16:43 into the second period and hung on until final buzzer.

After the loss made the series score 1-0 in the best of three series, Huntsville faces elimination next time out.

Mississippi RiverKings got the win thanks to a great game by Devin Mantha, who had two goals and one assist. Mantha scored the first of his two goals at 16:34 into the third period to make the score 3-1 Mississippi RiverKings. Daniel Sobotka provided the assist. Mantha's next tally made the score 4-2 Mississippi RiverKings with 13 seconds left in the third period.

Mississippi RiverKings stifled the Havoc's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Mississippi RiverKings forced Huntsville goalie Kevin Genoe to work between the pipes, taking 32 shots.

Mississippi RiverKings also got a goal from Matt Harrington as well. In addition, Mississippi RiverKings received assists from Mike Grace and Todd Hosmer, who each chipped in one.

The Havoc's offense rang up 33 shots on Mississippi RiverKings' net.

Huntsville was helped by Josh Harris, who tallied one goal. Harris scored 7:59 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Eric Alexander assisted on the tally. Huntsville additionally got points from Nick Lazorko, who also had one goal and one assist. More assists for Huntsville came via Leland Fidler, who had one.

Dan McWhinney made 31 saves for Mississippi RiverKings on 33 shots. Mississippi RiverKings totaled 15 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major and went 0-for-1 on the power play. Genoe recorded 28 saves for the Havoc. Huntsville totaled seven minutes in penalty time with one minor and one major and went 0-for-5 on the power play.

Friday, March 28 - Mississippi RiverKings 2, Huntsville 4

HUNTSVILLE, AL - In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Huntsville Havoc escaped with a 4-2 victory over Mississippi RiverKings.

Neither team gained more than a two-goal lead, and Stuart Stefan 's goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker.

Huntsville evened the best of three series at 1-1 and forced a deciding game three.

The Havoc were sparked by Stefan, who finished with one goal. Stefan scored 13:45 into the third period to make the score 3-2 Huntsville. Josh Harris picked up the assist.

Huntsville's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on five Mississippi RiverKings power plays. Mississippi RiverKings was unable to stop the Havoc from sending pucks towards the net, and Huntsville eventually piled up 39 shots on goal.

Huntsville also got points from Nick Lazorko, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Huntsville also had goals scored by Rob Florentino and Dominic Osman, who each put in one. In addition, Huntsville received assists from Mike Gurtler, Paul Kurceba, and Eric Alexander, who contributed one each.

Mississippi RiverKings forced the Havoc goalie Jesse Kallechy to work between the pipes, taking 31 shots.

Mississippi RiverKings was helped by Matt Whitehead, who registered one goal. Whitehead scored 7:20 into the third period to make the score 2-2. Leo Thomas provided the assist. Mississippi RiverKings additionally got points from Todd Hosmer, who also had one goal and one assist.

Huntsville's Kallechy stopped 29 shots out of the 31 that he faced. The Havoc totaled 17 minutes in penalty time with six minors and one major and went 1-for-5 on the power play. Dan McWhinney made 35 saves for Mississippi RiverKings on 39 shots. Mississippi RiverKings ended with 13 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major.

Sunday, March 30 - Huntsville 5, Mississippi RiverKings 3

HUNTSVILLE, AL - Mississippi RiverKings tried to dig itself out of a three-goal hole, but the Huntsville Havoc held on for a 5-3 victory.

A goal by Justin Alonzo put Huntsville up 5-2 in the second period, but Mississippi RiverKings pulled to within two on Mike Grace 's tally 4:30 into the third period.

The win by the Havoc clinched the best of three series at 2-1.

Huntsville forced Mississippi RiverKings' netminders to work in net, taking 33 shots and forcing 28 saves. Dan McWhinney made 16 stops and Matthew Krahn made 12. The Havoc's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on five Mississippi RiverKings power plays.

Huntsville was led by Eric Alexander, who finished with two goals. Alexander scored the first of his two goals at 13:28 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Huntsville. Alexander's next tally made the score 4-1 Huntsville with 13:00 left in the second period. Josh Harris picked up the assist. Huntsville additionally got points from Dominic Osman, who also registered one goal and one assist. Ray Ortiz also scored for Huntsville. In addition, Huntsville received assists from Justin Cseter, who had two and Rob Florentino and Nick Lazorko, who each chipped in one.

Mississippi RiverKings' defensemen played an important role in the offense, chipping in two goals.

Mississippi RiverKings was led by Todd Hosmer, who grabbed one goal and two assists. Hosmer scored 5:06 into the second period to make the score 3-1 Huntsville. Grace provided the assist. Mississippi RiverKings also got points from Grace, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Mississippi RiverKings also got a goal from Daniel Sobotka as well. Other players who recorded assists for Mississippi RiverKings were Leo Thomas and Matt Whitehead, who contributed one each.

The Havoc's Jesse Kallechy stopped 25 shots out of the 28 that he faced. Huntsville incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors. Mississippi RiverKings incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.




SPHL Stories from March 31, 2014


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.

OurSports Central