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Havoc Sneak Past 'Hawks

December 1, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Augusta RiverHawks News Release


Augusta, GA--The Augusta RiverHawks dominated the game in every aspect but on the scoreboard Friday night at the James Brown Arena, and as a result they fell 2-1 to the Huntsville Havoc after a shootout. Because the game was tied at the end of regulation time, the RiverHawks were awarded a point in the standings, moving their record to 1-10-2.

The RiverHawks threw everything they had at Havoc netminder Jonathan LaRose, firing off 46 shots and getting turned aside on 45 of them. By comparison the RiverHawks held the Havoc to just 25 shots on their goaltender BJ O'Brien.

The RiverHawks got off to a great start early, taking the play to the Havoc immediately and cashing in just 4 minutes into the first period. RiverHawks' forward Chad Ziegler took the puck across center ice into Huntsville territory and found Dennis Sicard. Sicard quick moved the puck to forward Matt Atsoff, who punched his first goal of the season.

Augusta really turned up the heat on the Havoc in the second period, getting off 17 shots compared to just 4 for Huntsville. However, the highlight of the period for the team was a fight by Sicard, who took on the much larger Bill Baker and got the better of the matchup. Despite all of the positive energy for the RiverHawks, both teams went scoreless and the score remained 1-0.

If there was one are of the game where the Havoc got the better of the RiverHawks, it was on special teams as the Havoc killed all six of the RiverHawks' opportunities. To make matters worse for the RiverHawks, early in the third period the Havoc was able to find a weak spot in Augusta's power play early in the third period. Ian Boots went across the slot to Matt Smyth on a short-handed rush 4 minutes into the period, and he fired it into the net past O'Brien to tie up the game at one a piece. That would be the final score in regulation.

Neither team was able to put points up on the board in overtime despite a handful of great chances for the RiverHawks, and one main chance for the Havoc who fored O'Brien to make a big save. The game then moved to a five-player shootout. The first three RiverHawks in line for the shootout were turned away by LaRose. Huntsville's Ian Boots was the first to push it past O'Brien to give the Havoc the advantage, followed by Jeremiah Ketts. RiverHawks' Captain Matt Auffrey answered right back to keep his team in it with a highlight reel goal, but it would be former RiverHawk Aaron McGill that would end the game firing a puck past O'Brien to secure the win for Huntsville.

The RiverHawks are back in action at the James Brown Arena Friday, December 7th and Saturday, December 8th as they face the visiting Mississippi Surge. The games start at 7:35pm at the James Brown Arena. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the RiverHawks at 706 993 2645 or in-person at the James Brown Arena box office. Season tickets and Flex Packs are still available. Additional information on the Team, tickets, and schedule can be found on the RiverHawks' home on the web, www.augustariverhawks.com, or by calling 706-993-2645.



SPHL Stories from December 1, 2012


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