Inferno singe Lynx 3-2 in Shootout

October 26, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Columbia Inferno News Release


COLUMBIA, S.C.- (Oct. 26, 2007) The Columbia Inferno (1-2-0-0, two points) edged the Augusta Lynx (2-1-0-1, five points) 3-2 in a shootout victory Friday night in front of 4,800 fans to open the 2007-08 home schedule at the Carolina Coliseum.

The Inferno peppered the Lynx with 48 shots on goal, including 15 in the first period. Lynx goaltender J.P. Levasseur kept Augusta in the game early, turning aside a Marc-Cavosie one-timer, a Daniel Sparre penalty shot, and a point-blank slapper from Jeff Miles, all within the first 15 minutes of play. The Lynx rewarded Levasseur's heroics at 15:30 when winger Jason Bloomingberg took advantage of a breakaway and ripped a high shot over Todd Ford's blocker side to take a 1-0 lead. Columbia struck back just two minutes later when defenseman Ren Fauci hammered a heavy shot from the point, eluding traffic and Levasseur's outstretched glove to tie the game 1-1 and give Fauci his first goal of the year.

The two sides skated through more than 39 minutes of deadlocked hockey through the second and third periods, trading chances, power play opportunities, shots, and even a scuffle between Fauci and winger Jason Koustadine midway through the second.

Columbia sent even more rubber toward the Augusta net in the third, rifling 21 shots in total. Leveasseur stood tall throughout, as the Anaheim Ducks prospect bested Sparre, center Mac Faulkner, and winger Owen Fussey on sterling opportunities. However, after a cross-crease save late in the third, Levasseur was slow to come up. He was helped off the ice with what appeared to be a left groin injury. The Lynx turned to Nathan Marsters to finish the game, and he was given a 2-1 lead when winger Matt Aufrey took advantage of a defensive breakdown, shooting from the far circle into an open net. It appeared the lead would hold, but Sparre exorcised his frustrations when he converted a cross-crease pass from winger Jeff Miles, beating a helpless Marsters with 8.9 seconds left on the clock to send the Coliseum crowd into an uproar.

The two clubs traded jabs in overtime, only to see Ford turn aside all four Lynx shooters in the shootout, while center Peter Tsimikalis and Miles scored for the Inferno.

Ford finished with 26 saves, while Levasseur stopped 39 of 40 and Marsters denied seven of eight.

Columbia will continue with the second of five home games Saturday night as the Inferno host the Charlotte Checkers. Columbia will be looking to avenge a 5-4 loss to the Checkers on the season opener, Oct. 19 at Charlotte.

Season tickets, groups and fundraisers are all available by dialing 803.253.7825 or by logging on to columbiainferno.com.



ECHL Stories from October 26, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central