Havoc Record First Shutout of the Season 5-0 against Ice Bears
December 1, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Huntsville Havoc News Release
HUNTSVILLE - A week of rest paid off for the Havoc on Friday night as Huntsville's stout defense shut down the Knoxville Ice Bears 5-0 for the team's first shutout of the season.
On Star Wars Night in the Rocket City, rookie goaltender Max Milosek proved he was strong with the force, stopping all 34 shots for his first professional shutout.
"After getting off to another strong start, we played our best 60 minutes of the season," said Havoc Head Coach Glenn Detulleo. "Special teams were strong, goaltending was excellent and all three lines were solid. It was nice to send our fans home happy!"
The Havoc were looking for revenge Friday night. The last time these teams met a week ago, Knoxville scored four goals in the third period to win 5-3 in front of the Havoc faithful.
The first red light on the evening was triggered by Ryan Salkeld when he was parked in the slot and redirected a Kyle Sharkey shot about 13 minutes into the contest.
Peter Sikalis stepped up in the second period to score his first goal of the season, skating unguarded through the right circle and putting one past the glove of Ice Bears goalie Michael Santaguida.
With less than 90 seconds left in the middle frame, Salked split two defenders with a lateral pass to Sy Nutkevitch in the slot, who one-timed the puck over the keeper's blocker and into the back of the net, making the score 3-0 heading into the second intermission.
Keeping the short-range scoring theme alive, the lone powerplay score on the night was courtesy of Christian Powers in the third period, sliding home a low shot from the slot and past the sprawling keeper to make the score 4-0.
Nutkevtich rounded out the scoring with this second goal on the night with six minutes left in the game. He ricocheted a pass from behind the Knoxville goal off the netminder's leg and into the net.
The Havoc defense stepped up big in this one, killing all five powerplay opportunities for the Ice Bears while teaming with Milosek to get the shutout. Knoxville won the shots on goal battle 34-31.
Salkeld (6g, 6a) and Nutkevitch (3g, 9a) are both averaging nearly a point per game. They are tied for the team lead in points with 12. Nutkevtich has had three multi-point games in his last five starts (2g, 6a).
Besides Sy and Salkeld, three other players had multi-point games against Knoxville on Friday -- Powers (1g, 1a), Sikalis (1g, 1a),and Scott Trask (2a), who recorded his first points since re-joining the team.
Next Game
The Havoc have a week to prepare for their first long road trip. The next five games are away from the friendly confines of the Von Braun Center. On Saturday, Dec. 8, the team will face the Quad City Storm for the first ever match-up between the two. Puck drop is at 7:10 p.m. The following afternoon, Huntsville makes the short trip from Moline, Illinois, to Peoria to face the Rivermen in the first rematch since last season's Championship series. Game start for that one is 3:05 p.m.
Home Again, Home Again...
Our boys are back in the home barn on Saturday, Dec. 22, for a skate against the Evansville Thunderbolts at 7 p.m. for our first Christmas Wiener Dog Race.
SPHL Stories from December 1, 2018
- Petaccio Powers Thunderbolts To 5-1 Win - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Mayhem Complete Road Sweep in Roanoke - Macon Mayhem
- Rivermen Falter in Overtime Saturday - Peoria Rivermen
- Dawgs Defeated by Mayhem, 4-1 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Sheeran's OT Winner Sinks Rivermen, Marksmen Earn First Sweep - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Rumble Called up to ECHL Norfolk - Peoria Rivermen
- Marksmen Join Forces with Fort Bragg for 21st Annual Operation Toy Drop - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Havoc Record First Shutout of the Season 5-0 against Ice Bears - Huntsville Havoc
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (5-7-0) vs Mayhem (11-2-2) - 7:05 PM - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Preview: Mayhem at Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (Game 16) - Macon Mayhem
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