Sports stats



'Hawks Soar Ice Flyers, 4-1

February 22, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Augusta RiverHawks News Release


Augusta RiverHawks Captain Matt Auffrey led his team offensively, physically, and spiritually Thursday night as the RiverHawks edged the Columbus Cottonmouths 2-1 in a shootout. While Auffrey was doing his work up front, RiverHawks' net-minder Robby Moss starred in goal making 38 saves to give his club a chance to ear the two points.

Auffrey, who along with his wife and family had to go through an unspeakably difficult week after tragically losing their son last weekend, led the way for the RiverHawks setting up their only goal in regulation, dropping the gloves in the second period, and ultimately winning the game with the lone goal for either team in the shootout.

While the victory is certainly an emotional one for the RiverHawks, it is also an incredibly vital one for the team's playoff hopes. The win moves the RiverHawks to within just three points of the Huntsville Havoc, who currently sit in the final playoff spot. The two teams play each other twice next weekend.

After a raucous beginning to the game, it was the Cottonmouths who got on the board first with a goal less than four minutes before the end of the first period. Reliable defenseman Tom Maldonado took a feed from Matt Gingera and beat Moss to give his team the lead. For Gingera it continued a strong campaign, as the Winnipeg, MB native now has 35 points in 33 games.

The one-goal lead would not last long however, as penalties finally caught up to the Cottonmouths. While enjoying a man-advantage Auffrey would fire the puck to linemate Alex Morton. Morton would make no mistake with the puck on his stick, beating Cottonmouths' goaltender Andrew Loewen to make to the score 1-1.

In the second period Auffrey would get the rough-and-tumble portion of his "Gordie Howe Hat Trick", as he dropped the gloves with Will Aide. Auffrey got the upper hand in the scuffle, which resulted in the ninth penalty minute of his game.

It was then Moss' turn to shine, and no one shone brighter than he did in the third period. Facing a full-fledged barrage from the Cottonmouths attack, Moss was up to the task on each and every shot turning away 15 attempts in the third period and an additional six shots in the overtime frame.

Moss' efforts pushed the game to a shootout, and with neither team scoring through two round, it was Auffrey's chance to give his team the leg-up. He did just that, beating Loewen on his shootout attempt. Once the final two attempts from the Cottonmouths were denied by Moss, it was Auffrey's goal that would go down as the game winner.

The RiverHawks are back in action at the James Brown Arena Thursday, February 28th as they face the Huntsville Havoc. The game starts at 7:35pm. 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 February 22, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central