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'Hawks Soar over Cottonmouths; 5-2

December 14, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Augusta RiverHawks News Release


Augusta, GA--The Augusta RiverHawks used timely and efficient offense to steamroll the Columbus Cottonmouths 5-2 Thursday night at the James Brown Arena. The RiverHawks have been near the bottom of the SPHL all season long in goals scored, but they managed to score their five goals on just 23 shots, with a few of them being the highlight-reel variety.

The RiverHawks enjoyed a breakout performance from a newly formed line of Captain Matt Auffrey, Kyle Watson, and Casey Mignone who was playing in his first game as a RiverHawk. Mignone finished the game with two goals and two assists, while Auffrey had his first multi-point effort of the season with a goal and two assists. Watson chipped in with a goal and an assist.

The RiverHawks jumped out to the lead just over seven minutes into the first period as Dennis Sicard hammered a half-slap shot that eluded Cottonmouths' goaltender Andrew Loewen and found the top-corner of the net. That lone goal in the first frame would give Augusta the advantage going into the first intermission.

A quick play in the first two minutes of the second period put another point up on the board for Augusta. Newcomer Mignone found a streaking Watson down the middle of the slot. Watson made it look easy firing a shot past Loewen, giving Mignone his first point of the season.

Columbus answered quickly when Chris Bailer made the long-range shot from the point, with assistance from John Sullivan and Jordan Braid. Bailer let go an innocent-looking shot from the point, but RiverHawks' net-minder Robby Moss could not see the shot through the traffic in front of him, and it went in just under the cross-bar.

The Cottonmouths carried the play for the five minutes but were unable to add another goal. The RiverHawks made them pay as Auffrey and Watson combined to set up Mignone who made a beautiful deke to beat Loewen between his legs.

The two-goal lead would not last the rest of the period however, as they continued to pressure the RiverHawks and were eventually rewarded. The RiverHawks were unable to clear their own zone of the puck, and instead the biscuit went to the point, where the Cottonmouths fired the puck on goal. Moss made the original save, but the rebound went straight to Jordan Braid's stick, and he fired it through Moss' five-hole.

If the Cottonmouths carried any momentum into the third period, it was quickly quelched by the RiverHawks' quick-strike offense. Mignone scored his second goal of the game off of a set up from Auffrey and defenseman Mike Switzer. Then, just thirty seconds later, Mignone slid a pass over to Auffrey on a two-on-one, and the Captain made no mistake in potting his first goal of the season at the James Brown Arena to complete the scoring.

The RiverHawks are back in action at the James Brown Arena Friday, December 21st as they face the Huntsville Havoc. The game 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 14, 2012


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