Havoc Complete Comeback for 4-3 Win against Bulls
March 9, 2019 - SPHL (SPHL)
Huntsville Havoc News Release
HUNTSVILLE - The Havoc roared back from a two-goal deficit to beat the visiting Birmingham Bulls Friday night 4-3 on home ice in the Rocket City.
Winger Trevor Gerling led the Havoc with two goals and an assist as Huntsville gained ground on their in-state rivals in the SPHL standings.
"Tonight had a playoff feel to it," said Havoc Head Coach Glenn Detulleo. "I loved how determined we played. We stayed with it despite getting down by two goals and fought back to earn ourselves two important points in the standings."
The Bulls (32-13-2) jumped out to an early lead, scoring less than five minutes in to the first period on a powerplay and again with just 1:01 elapsed in the second period.
After Birmingham's second score, the Havoc (28-14-3) responded quickly with a powerplay goal of their own at 2:23 in to the middle frame. Rob Darrar wristed a shot through traffic from the right faceoff circle that rebounded to Gerling's stick who stuffed it home from the doorstep.
Less than three minutes later, Gerling provided more fireworks with a steal deep in the Bulls zone and flipping the puck under the keeper's blocker to tie the game at two.
The game became a defensive battle for the rest of the second period and half of the third. At 9:17 into the third stanza, Peter Sikalis ripped a slapshot from the blue line that lasered past the Birmingham goalie to put the Havoc up 3-2.
Huntsville capped their scoring sheet when Darrar netted a wrister from the right circle and under the keeper's glove to double up the Bulls. It turns out the team would need that insurance cushion as Birmingham pulled their goalie for the extra attacker with two minutes left and scored, but the Havoc held firm and ran out the clock for a 4-3 win.
The Havoc outshot the Bulls a whopping 54 to 28 with Huntsville keeper Max Milosek making 25 saves for the win.
Highlights from the game, including Huntsville's scores and some great saves, can be found on the team's YouTube channel.
The season series is currently split right down the middle. Each side has four wins with the final regular season matchup to come Saturday night.
Games between these two always prove chippy as Birmingham was called for 9 infractions and Huntsville for 8.
The game was Gerling's first multi-goal game of the season.
Pistol Pete's score was his fifth goal in four games.
Next Game
These same teams will face off again on Saturday, March 9, on Pharmacy First Ice for the series finale. It's Mighty Havoc Night as the team pays tribute to the hockey film trilogy The Mighty Ducks. Huntsville will wear three different jerseys over the course of the game in the same style as the fictional hockey team. The three sets of jerseys will be auctioned off in three different ways - online, silent auction during the game, and live auction after the game. Fans can also take advantage of the Family Four Pack - four tickets, four sodas and a large popcorn for only $48. The puck drops at 7 p.m.
SPHL Stories from March 9, 2019
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- Mayhem Remain a Point Away from Playoff Berth - Macon Mayhem
- Preview: Mayhem at Fayetteville Marksmen (Game 48) - Macon Mayhem
- Four-Goal Third Surges Marksmen over Macon - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (23-20-4) at Ice Flyers (20-21-5) - 7:05 PM CST - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Havoc Complete Comeback for 4-3 Win against Bulls - Huntsville Havoc
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