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SPHL Knoxville Ice Bears

Ice Bears Fall Short in Goaltender Duel

April 5, 2024 - SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release


Austyn Roudebush made 28 saves and the Knoxville Ice Bears fell to the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs 3-0 at the Berglund Center Friday night.

Zane Steeves made 27 saves for the Ice Bears. The Rail Yard Dawgs have won four straight.

Both teams had opportunities in the first period, but the first 20 minutes passed with no scoring at the break. Troy Murray powered his way through the slot to draw a penalty, but his attempt to sneak the puck underneath Roudebush was stopped by the net minder's left pad. Murray setup Cole McKechney with a chance at the left hash, but Rousebush kept the puck in front of him with a kick save. Anthony Cinato was stopped with a chance from the right circle and his chance from the slot narrowly missed the left post.

Roanoke generated chances early in the period, but Steeves fought off a redirect from in front of the crease, denied a diving Dominiks Marcinkevics from close range and gloved a point shot from Billy Roche. Mac Jansen missed the far-side post with a backhand and the Rail Yard Dawgs hit the post with an attempt from the right side.

Jansen finally broke the scoreless tie at 16:38 of the second period. Matt O'Dea won the puck at the left point and slipped it ahead to Tommy Munichiello. Munichiello made his way up the left side before crossing the puck to Jansen, who managed to shoot it past Steeves to give the Rail Yard Dawgs a 1-0 lead at the second intermission.

The Ice Bears nearly tied the game moments later, but Lucas Rothe's one-timer from in front of the crease missed the short-side post. Earlier in the period, Roudebush stopped Justin Cmunt from the slot and fought off a rebound by Rothe before Murray's follow-up chance sailed over the crossbar.

Knoxville opened the third period with a five-minute power play, but couldn't convert. Roudebush made a diving stop on a rebound in the left circle, slid over to kick away a one-timer off a cross-ice feed and gloved a quick chance by McKechney from the right hash.

Jacob Kelly and Marcinkeviks scored in the final three minutes to boost the lead for Roanoke.

The two teams will head to Knoxville Saturday night to wrap up the regular season on the back end of the home-and-home series.

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