Ice Bears Defeat Rail Yard Dawgs 4-2
Published on November 3, 2018 under SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release
Knoxville, TN - The Knoxville Ice Bears improve to 2-0 at home and 2-1-1 on the year with a 4-2 win over the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs.
The Dawgs were nothing but quiet earlier as Max Guyon would give Roanoke the lead after a flying puck was redirected into the back of the net.
With the Ice Bears down by a goal, they would draw their first penalty of the game and Roanoke would look to take a huge lead early in the first period. Yet the hustle of Charlie Granath could not be matched as he would find the back of the net on a short-handed goal to tie the game up at the 4:30 mark in the first period.
"We are so relentless on the kill. We needed that kill and our aggression was key and Granth got in on the rush and got us that big goal" said Ice Bears head coach Jeff Carr.
Into the second, and the Ice Bears would get their turn on the power play and with a struggling Roanoke (66.7 % on the penalty kill), Knoxville would look to take advantage. It would only take Lucas Bombardier a few seconds to catch a rebound and put the Ice Bears up 2-1.
The Dawgs would tie the game in the third period with Guyon's second goal but give the lead right back to the Ice Bears after an Anthony McVeigh wrist shot would beat Roanoke goalie Tanner Creel.
"We worked all week on neutral zone defending and transition" ... "we worked so much on the entries that guys were going to feel confident when they got a little space," said Carr.
The Ice Bears would add an insurance goal thanks to Scott Cuthrell scoring at the 8:36 mark after a rebound shot from Bombardier.
Hayden Stewart would make his first start of the season for the Ice Bears and was brilliant all game long. Stewart would save 33 shots on his way to his first victory in an Ice Bears uniform.
"He [Stewart] played exactly how we knew he would play. He's got a big frame back there. He's a thinner guy, he's agile and mobile. I thought he played a great game" said Carr.
Knoxville would outshoot the Dawgs 52-35 with 30 of those shots coming in the third period.
"We still need to win more puck battles. I believe that our team and individual work ethic has another level that we need to go to" said Carr.
The Ice Bears will travel to Evansville to take on the Thunderbolts tomorrow. Puck drop is at 8:00. Catch all of the action at the Ice Bears new home for away game viewing parties - Stefano's in Turkey Creek.
Join the Ice Bears for the annual Adult Only Open House. See the behind the scenes of what it is like to be a Knoxville Ice Bears. Locker room tours, hang out on the team bus, sit in the penalty box and so much more. The event is Tuesday, Nov 6th from 5:30 - 8:00 pm at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. The event is FREE to attend - visit KnoxvilleIceBears.com to register your spot.
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