Havoc Fall Twice At Home, Win One On Road
December 16, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Huntsville Havoc News Release
HUNTSVILLE, AL - The Huntsville Havoc lost a pair of home games one on Thursday one on Thursday to the Mississippi RiverKings 4-2 and another to the Columbus Cottonmouths 5-2 on Saturday. The Havoc went on the road on Friday night and beat the RiverKings 3-2 in a shootout.
Thursday, December 12 - Mississippi RiverKings 4, Huntsville 2
HUNTSVILLE, AL - In a game where neither team could get a cushion, Mississippi RiverKings escaped with a 4-2 victory over the Huntsville Havoc.
Neither team gained more than a two-goal lead, and Paul Clancy's goal in the second period proved to be the difference maker.
Matt Whitehead had two goals to lead Mississippi RiverKings to victory. Whitehead scored on the power play at 8:54 into the second period to make the score 2-2 and again while 18:57 into the second to make the score 4-2 Mississippi RiverKings.
Huntsville's power play was ineffective against Mississippi RiverKings' penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.
Mississippi RiverKings was often in penalty trouble, totaling seven minors and two majors for 24 minutes in penalty time. Mississippi RiverKings had been averaging 17.0 minutes in penalties per game. Mississippi RiverKings stifled the Havoc's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Mississippi RiverKings relied on a core group of players for most of its offense, as Todd Hosmer, Devin Mantha and Whitehead took 16 of the team's 25 shots.
More assists for Mississippi RiverKings came via Leo Thomas, who had two and Mike Grace, Daniel Sobotka, Tyler Sheldrake, Andrew Randazzo, and Tyler Melancon, who each chipped in one.
The 35 shots that Huntsville put on net surpassed the Havoc's average of 28.6 shots per game this season.
Huntsville was helped by Scott Harff, who tallied one goal. Harff scored 2:41 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Huntsville. Mike Gurtler provided the assist. Huntsville additionally got points from Gurtler, who also had one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Other players who recorded assists for Huntsville were Sam Cannata and Brian Elser, who contributed one a piece.
Dan McWhinney recorded 33 saves for Mississippi RiverKings. Mississippi RiverKings registered one goal on three power play opportunities. Jesse Kallechy made 21 saves for the Havoc on 25 shots. Huntsville ended with 18 minutes in penalty time with four minors and two majors.
Friday, December 13 - Huntsville 3, Mississippi RiverKings 2 - SO
SOUTHAVEN, MS - Nick Lazorko scored the clinching goal in a shootout, and the Huntsville Havoc picked up the extra point in a 3-2 (2-0 SO) win over Mississippi RiverKings.
The shootout lasted for nine attempts between the teams. Huntsville's other shootout goal was scored by Lazorko.
The Havoc overcame a one-goal deficit to capture the victory. Huntsville trailed 2-1 after a goal by Mississippi RiverKings' Corey Fulton at 19:27 in the second period. The Havoc tied things up at 2-2 on a goal by Brian Elser at 3:15 in the third period.
Huntsville put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Mississippi RiverKings to score on any of its four power plays.
The Havoc were helped by Mike Gurtler, who registered one goal. Gurtler scored 13:58 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Huntsville. Stuart Stefan picked up the assist. Huntsville additionally got points from Elser, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Other players who recorded assists for Huntsville were Justin Fox, who had one.
With 28 shots on target during the contest, Mississippi RiverKings exceeded the 24.4 shots it averages per game this year.
Mississippi RiverKings was helped by Charles LaChance, who had one goal. LaChance scored 14:32 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Matt Harrington assisted on the tally. In addition, Mississippi RiverKings received assists from Tyler Sheldrake and Andrew Randazzo, who each chipped in one.
Huntsville's Kevin Genoe stopped 26 shots out of the 28 that he faced. The Havoc totaled 15 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major and went 0-for-2 on the power play. Matthew Krahn made 23 saves for Mississippi RiverKings on 25 shots. Mississippi RiverKings ended with 11 minutes in penalty time with three minors and one major.
Saturday, December 14 - Columbus 5, Huntsville 2
HUNTSVILLE, AL - A hat trick by Matt Gingera was the highlight in Cottonmouths' 5-2 win against the Huntsville Havoc.
Gingera's first goal came 15:18 into the first period. He then added goals at 2:51 into the third and at 19:34 into the third.
Huntsville's power play was ineffective against the Columbus Cottonmouths' penalty kill, which allowed one goal while shorthanded.
Columbus forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up seven minors and one major for 39 minutes in penalty time. The Cottonmouths surpassed its season average of 27.0 penalty minutes per game. Columbus found the back of the net more times than it usually has this season. The Cottonmouths average 2.9 goals per game. Columbus relied on a core group of players for most of its offense, as Jordan Draper, Gingera and Steve Mele took 16 of the team's 25 shots. Team could not crack the Havoc's penalty kill and was held to two power play goals while having nine opportunities to play with the man advantage.
Columbus also got points from Mele, who also registered one goal and two assists. Columbus also got a goal from Will Aide as well. More assists for Columbus came via Dan Bremner, who had three and Tom Maldonado and Jason Gray, who contributed one a piece.
The Huntsville penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled 10 minors and one major for 45 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 22.0 minutes per game the Havoc had been spending in the box. The 38 shots that Huntsville put on net surpassed the Havoc's average of 29.7 shots per game this season.
Huntsville was led by Josh Harris, who racked up one goal and one assist. Harris scored on the power play 7:42 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Huntsville. The Havoc had gotten the advantage when the Cottonmouths' Levi Lind was sent off for boarding. Leland Fidler assisted on the tally. Justin Fox also scored for Huntsville. In addition, Huntsville received assists from Brian Elser, who had one.
Andrew Loewen rejected 36 shots on goal for Columbus. The Cottonmouths ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Lind was ejected from the game. Jesse Kallechy made 20 saves for Huntsville on 24 shots. For the Havoc, Harris was ejected from the game.
Three Stars of the Week
#1 Mike Gurtler - RW (2 goals, 1 assist)
#2 Brian Elser - LW (1 goal, 2 assists)
#3 Josh Harris and Justin Fox - F (1 goal, 1 assist each)
Practice Schedule
Monday, December 16th - Ice Plex - 10:00
Tuesday, December 17th - VBC - 10:00
Wednesday, December 18th - VBC - 10:00
Thursday, December 19th - VBC - 10:00
Transactions
DATE
TRANSACTION
12/09/13
Mobley, Max (RW) signed 3 game tryout
Upcoming Games
Friday, December 20th vs Louisiana Ice Gators - 7:30
Saturday, December 21st vs Louisiana Ice Gators - 7:30
Upcoming Promotions
Friday, December 20th7:30pm vs Louisiana Ice Gators - FOX54 presents FANtastic Friday! - 'Ugly Christmas Sweater Night.' Fans are encouraged to wear questionably fashionable Christmas attire for a chance to win prizes from FOX54 & the Havoc
Saturday, December 21s 7:30vs Louisiana Ice Gators- Verizon Chaos Bobblehead Night
The first 1,000 fans will receive a FREE Chaos bobblehead, courtesy of Verizon & WAAY31.
Havoc players will wear Christmas-themed jerseys, which will be auctioned off right after the game.
SPHL Stories from December 16, 2013
- Teddy Bear Toss Night this Weekend - Mississippi Surge
- Ticket Special: Central Illinois Strong Night to Benefit Tornado Relief this Friday - Peoria Rivermen
- Havoc Fall Twice At Home, Win One On Road - Huntsville Havoc
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