Huntsville Prepares for Pair against Evansville, Mid-Week Skate in Birmingham
February 7, 2019 - SPHL (SPHL)
Huntsville Havoc News Release
HUNTSVILLE - The Havoc will play against teams on opposite ends of the SPHL standings this week - a home and home series against the Evansville Thunderbolts (6-27-2) and a Tuesday evening tilt against the Birmingham Bulls (24-9-2).
Huntsville (22-11-1) hosted the Quad City Storm (9-21-3) for two games last weekend and swept the newest franchise in the SPHL.
Last Weekend
The Havoc had to come from behind three separate times on Friday, February 1, but Nolan Kaiser provided the final tally in the last second of overtime to take game one of the weekend series 5-4. Ryan Salkeld shuttled the puck to Kaiser who buried it for the game winner at 4:59 of the overtime. Tyler Piacentini and Scott Trask helped keep the game close with a pair of goals each. Havoc keeper Mike DeLaVergne stopped 26 of 30 shots in regulation, but more importantly faced down five additional shots in overtime. Sy Nutkevitch contributed three assists.
The next night was Melissa George Night at the Havoc, helping raise money for the neonatal intensive care unit at Huntsville Hospital. Post game auctions of sticks and special jerseys helped raise more than $60,000 to help newborns. The team felt the giving spirit on the ice, putting five goals on the Storm and cruising to a 5-1 win.
Nutkevitch provided the bookends on the scoring, putting one over the shoulder of the Storm goaltender just 99 seconds in to the game and scoring on the back-up keeper with five minutes left in the game. In between, Stephen Hrehoriak, Alec Brandup, and Kyle Sharkey scored goals and rookie goalie Max Milosek stopped 32 of the 33 shots he faced.
Huntsville finished the weekend tied for third place in the SPHL with the Macon Mayhem (21-12-3).
Vs. Evansville
The Havoc and Thunderbolts have faced each other four times so far this season, with Huntsville winning all of them - three times on the road. At the end of two of those games, the Havoc only won by a goal. In the other two, the team had a three-goal cushion.
The most recent game was a 2-1 win by the Havoc right before Christmas.
Evansville is having a rough go of it lately, sitting in the cellar in the standings and in each scoring category - goals allowed, goals scored, penalty kill and powerplay. They have one win in their last 12 games.
These two teams will only play once more after this weekend when Evansville returns to the Rocket City on Sunday, February 17.
Vs. Birmingham
The Havoc take a couple days off before traveling to the Pelham Civic Complex on Tuesday, February 12, for a game against the Birmingham Bulls. While the in-state rival took the first three games of the season, Huntsville has won the last two head-to-head matchups, including the most recent - a Martin Luther King Junior Day game where Huntsville put four goals in the first period and held on for a 6-4 win.
Birmingham continues to play strong and is tops in the league in the power play and second in goals scored and on the penalty kill. Since the loss against Huntsville, the Bulls are on a four-game win streak.
After this week's game, the teams play three more games before the end of the regular season, all in Huntsville in the span of eight days.
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.
Havoc App
Earn points by participating in fan polls and supporting Havoc sponsors. Then, redeem them for special merchandise and experiences with the new Havoc Rewards App, presented by Simple Helix. The app is available on iOS and Android, so everyone can play along! Go to HavocRewards.com to download it now.
2018-19 Promo Nights
The Huntsville Havoc have a list of promotions for all regular season home games in the 2018-19 season, including some new themes and fan favorites.
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