Havoc Win 4-3 on Another OT Buzzer Beater
February 9, 2019 - SPHL (SPHL)
Huntsville Havoc News Release
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA - The Havoc came from behind twice to tie the Evansville Thunderbolts and forced overtime in Friday night's road tilt in Indiana.
Havoc forward Ryan Salkeld scored the final two goals of the night - one to tie the game, the second at the last moment in overtime - officially 4:59 - to give Huntsville the 4-3 win.
The boys from the Rocket City had multiple opportunities to put the game away in regulation on nine separate powerplays, but Evansville's stout defense only allowed them to capitalize on one.
"Give credit where it is due - Evansville played a great game, killing penalties and blocking shots," said Havoc Head Coach Glenn Detulleo. "This team definitely got our attention and we need to be ready to play them again tomorrow."
The win gives Huntsville (23-11-1) nine in their last ten games - two of them in overtime - and moves them just three points behind the Birmingham Bulls in second place on the SPHL table.
Havoc defenseman Derek Perl put Huntsville on the board just past four minutes into the first period, but Evansville scored two later in the opening frame to take the lead.
The Thunderbolts (6-27-3) looked to take the lead in to the first intermission, but Scott Trask had other plans, scoring his third goal in as many games on a powerplay with less than a minute lefty on the clock.
Evansville opened the second period by re-taking the lead with their second powerplay goal of the night just 4:39 in to the middle frame, but it was short-lived as Ryan Salkeld recorded his 15th goal of the season just over a minute later to once again tie the game.
Neither team scored in the third period, despite multiple powerplay opportunities, sending the game to bonus hockey. In fact, Huntsville started the overtime period with a 4 on 3 advantage, that ran out with no score. Just as it seemed the game would be decided by a shootout, Ryan Salkeld continued the heroics, scoring on a beautiful wraparound goal with 1.2 seconds left on the clock to finally put away the Thunderbolts 4-3.
It felt a bit like déjà vu as, exactly one week ago, Huntsville was on the winning end of another last-second overtime win. Nolan Kaiser buried the game winner as time expired against the Quad City Storm with Ryan Salkeld providing the assist.
Huntsville outshot Evansville 51 to 29.
The Havoc are currently the least penalized team in the league with 394 minutes of infractions. The next closest team is the Knoxville Ice Bears with 457.
Sy Nutkevitch recorded three assists for the second time in three games and fourth for the season.
Salkeld extended his point streak to four games (2g, 4a).
Next Game
The Havoc host the Thunderbolts on Saturday, February 9, for LEGO Night in Huntsville, celebrating the world's most popular toy. Fans are invited to dress as their favorite LEGO characters to win some great prizes from Best Buy. The puck drops at 7 p.m.
SPHL Stories from February 9, 2019
- Havoc Surge Late But Drop One to 'Bolts in OT - Huntsville Havoc
- Thunderbolts Stun Havoc with 5-4 Overtime Win - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Rivermen Suffer First Regulation Loss of 2019 Saturday - Peoria Rivermen
- Billett Silences Mayhem in Pensacola - Macon Mayhem
- Dawgs Comeback Falls Short in 3-2 Loss - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Bulls Defeat Roanoke 3-2 on the Road - Birmingham Bulls
- Preview: Mayhem at Pensacola Ice Flyers (Game 38) - Macon Mayhem
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (18-5-3) vs Bulls (24-10-2) - 7:05 PM - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Fayetteville's Late Rally Not Enough, Fall 3-2 - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Havoc Win 4-3 on Another OT Buzzer Beater - Huntsville Havoc
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