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'Hawks Unable to Topple FireAntz

December 18, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Augusta RiverHawks News Release


Fayetteville, NC--The Augusta RiverHawks dug themselves a deep hole during the first period against the first-place Fayetteville FireAntz Tuesday night in North Carolina., going down four goals after just 20 minutes. They battled back with a vengeance, but were unable to complete the comeback, falling to the FireAntz 4-3.

The FireAntz used an early power play opportunity to launch their early lead, as Mike Gurtler used a setup from Brandon Richardson and Derek Elliott to score the first goal of the game.

The game was relatively even-played for the next five minutes until the FireAntz exploded for three goals in less than three minutes. First it was Brian Elser beating RiverHawks' goaltender BJ O'Brien, with Ben Contini picking up the assist on the goal.

Elser's goal was followed up less than two minutes later by a goal from Richardson, his second point of the evening. That goal was assisted by Gurtler and FireAntz' goaltender Marco Emond. Fourty-five seconds later the Southern Professional Hockey League's leading scorer got in on the festivities, as Josh McQuade dented the mesh behind O'Brien. He converted an opportunity generated by Kyle McNeil and Tristin Llewellyn to give his club a three-goal advantage.

Faced with the daunting task of overcoming a four-goal deficit, the RiverHawks got right to work in the second period. First it was the power play getting the job done, as Ian Watters scored, converting an effort developed from the sticks of defenseman William Lacasse and Kyle Watson. Watters' fourth goal of the season narrowed the FireAntz' lead to three goals.

The FireAntz managed a three-goal lead for much of the second period before the RiverHawks were once again able to strike. This time it was Shawn Skelley who scored, tallying his seventh goal of the season, scoring on a set-up from Watters and Taylor McReynolds.

The FireAntz hung on to their lead through much of the third period, but the RiverHawks managed to narrow it further scoring a goal with less than five minutes remaining in the game. Defensemen Drew Baker and Jason Price worked the power play to perfection, firing the puck towards the net, and it was Watson batting the puck in, putting the RiverHawks to within striking distance. Despite the added momentum, the RiverHawks were unable to solve the FireAntz defense for the remainder of the time on the clock, and the one-goal FireAnt lead held.

The RiverHawks are back in action at the James Brown Arena Friday, December 21st as they face the Huntsville Havoc. The game starts 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 18, 2012


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