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Havoc Defeat RiverHawks to Win Quarter-Final Series

March 31, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Augusta RiverHawks News Release


The Huntsville Havoc used a three-goal outburst in the first seven minutes of the game to win Game Three against the Augusta RiverHawks 6-2 Saturday night at the James Brown Arena. The victory gives the Havoc an upset 2-1 victory in the SPHL Quarter-Final series over the top-ranked RiverHawks.

The loss is a bitter pill to swallow for the RiverHawks who were regular-season champions and set many All-Time SPHL regular season records in the process.

The Havoc exploded out of the gates with three goals in the first seven minutes. Justin Fox, Stuart Stefan, and Ray Ortiz each scored within five minutes of play to chase RiverHawks' goaltender Peter Skoggard out of the crease in favor of Jon Olthuis.

The RiverHawks seemed to take back the momentum after the goaltending change, but three straight penalty calls against Augusta to finish the period made it difficult to reply on the scoreboard, and the period finished with a 3-0 score.

The RiverHawks' fortunes in the second period, both on the scoreboard and with the officials, did not get any better in the second period as the RiverHawks were charged with eight straight minutes in penalties. During 5-on-5 play the RiverHawks managed to test Havoc goaltender Mark Sibbald mightily, but were unable to break through. The Havoc, on the other hand, did manage to score another as forward Dennis Sicard scored mid-way through the frame to increase their lead to four goals.

Despite the mountain to climb ahead of them the RiverHawks did not back down headed into the third period, and finally their hard-work while 5-on-5 paid off. Brendan Taylor completed a pretty passing play between him, Branden Kosolofsky, and Justin Levac to cut the Havoc lead to three goals. The RiverHawks generated plenty of scoring chances in the following minutes, only to be turned away by the strong play of Sibbald. Eventually, the Havoc were able to capitalize on the RiverHawks' aggressive attention to offense, as they were able to counter on an odd-man rush and Colin Redding scored to restore the four goal lead.

RiverHawks' forward Jim Gehring would score once more to get the game back to three goals, but it was too little, too late as the Havoc replied a minute and a half later to finalize the scoring and secure the win.

Augusta RiverHawks 2012-13 season tickets are available now. Information is available on the RiverHawks' home on the web, www.augustariverhawks.com or by calling 706-993-2645.

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