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Longest road trip underway

February 9, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


RECORD TO DATE: 16-15-5 (37 points) 5th place in WHA2

THIS WEEK:

THU Feb. 12 TRAX @ Alabama 7:05 p.m. (CST) Pelham Civic Complex

The big three game series hits the final game Thursday back in Alabama. The team split the first two games over the weekend at the Pelham Civic Complex. Trax goalie Andy Kollar and Alabama's Jamie Ronayne both stood tall over the weekend.

Season Series: Alabama leads 5-3-1 (Most recent: 3-2 loss, Feb. 7 @ ALA)

SAT Feb. 14 TRAX @ Miami 7:05 p.m. Miami Arena

***(DATE CHANGE)***

If there is a building the Trax would love to implode it may be the Miami Arena. Though they have only played two games ever in the arena, both games have been miserable. The Trax have given up a total of 17 goals in the contests. The Trax head into the week trailing Miami by six points for second place in the WHA2.

Season Series: Miami leads 3-2 (Most recent: 7-2 WIN, Jan. 30 @ MAC)

LAST WEEK:

TUE Feb. 3 Lakeland @ TRAX (5-4 WIN) 7:35 p.m. Macon Centreplex

Trax fans know Macon has not been a very good come from behind team this season. Heading into the game the Trax had never won when trailing after two periods. On the other side of things the Loggerheads had never beaten the Trax in regulation.

When it was all said and done the Trax continued their domination of the Loggerheads as they came from behind in the third period to pull out the 5-4 victory.

After Lakeland took the two goal lead at the 5:58 mark of the third period the fans in the Centreplex thought it would be a long finish. Instead, the Trax dug down deep and gave the fans in attendance a great night of hockey.

Edan Welch brought the Trax to within one goal at the 9:05 mark of the final frame. The hero of the night was Craig Miller.

Miller scored the game tying goal on the power play at the 12:58 mark. With the scored tied the game became very physical, with the Trax dishing out most of the hits. With just over one minute remaining in regulation, Welch took a shot from the circle inside the Loggerhead zone. Lakeland goalie Carl Poissant made the save but gave up the rebound. Miller following the play was able to get his stick on the puck and shove it in the net. The win gave the Trax their sixth victory in seven games versus the turtles.

FRI Feb. 6 TRAX @ Alabama (3-2 WIN) 7:05 p.m. Pelham Civic Complex

The start of a three game set in Pelham kicked off with a good old fashioned goalie battle. Alabama goalie Jamie Ronayne and Trax goalie Andy Kollar entered the game third and fourth respectively in WHA2 goals against average.

Kollar stood a tad taller as he made 39 saves en route to the 3-2 victory. Ronayne made 35 saves for the Slammers in the losing effort.

The Trax scored first, opened up a two goal lead in the second period and never feel behind against their rivals. Craig Miller opened up the scoring, on his way to a two point night, at the 12:30 of the first period from a Rivard assist.

Alabama tied the game up 12:45 into second period when Chad Peck netted a power play goal. Just two minutes later the Trax returned with a power play goal of their own, when Luke Murphy put a rebound goal past Slammers' goalie Jamie Ronayne.

Just 36 seconds later, Ryan Rivard scored the eventual game winner. David Deeves carried the puck into the zone and found the streaking Rivard who went to the net untouched.

SAT Feb. 7 TRAX @ Alabama (3-2 loss) 7:05 p.m. Pelham Civic Centreplex

The Trax came out flat on Saturday night. A win would have tied Macon for the fourth and final playoff spot in the WHA2. Instead, they fell behind early and never came back for a 3-2 loss.

Hugo Belanger and Mike Craigen both scored first period goals to carry Alabama to the early lead. Just 37 seconds in the second period the Slammers opened up a three goal lead when Doug Lawrence scored for the 22nd time this season.

Things looked bleak for the Trax with a three goal deficit late in the second period. Macon finally found the net when Steve Zoryk lit the lamp on the power play late in the second period. Finally the Trax had life.

After a good ending to the second period, the Trax fought tough in the final frame. Craig Miller scored to cut the lead down to one. After the goal the Trax continued to claw their way towards the goal, but great Slammer defense sealed the victory.

TRAX TIDBITS:

· "CHUGGIN' WITH THE TRAX" will be Monday, Feb. 9, 16, 23 at the Applebee's on Russell Parkway in Warner Robins. Come by between 6-7pm as Adam Minnick will be joined by Head Coach Tommy Stewart and various Trax players.

· GAME DATE AND TIME CHANGES:

Road Games:

Feb. 13 game @ Lakeland will now be on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7:05 pm.

Feb. 15 game @ Miami has been changed to Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:05 pm.

HOME GAMES:

Sunday, Feb. 29 has been changed to a 3:05 pm start time against Alabama.

Saturday Mar. 27 has been changed to a 6:05 pm start time against Orlando.

TEAM APPEARANCES:

The Trax are holding a special screening of the movie "MIRACLE." Join the Trax players and staff Tuesday, February 10 at the AmStar 16 on Zebulon Road in Macon. Trax players will arrive at 6pm for an autograph session with the movie beginning at 7pm.

Wednesday, Feb. 11—Luke Murphy will join Vance on the Eagle 92.3 between 4:00-4:30pm.

TEAM NOTES:

DAVID DEEVES was named Player of the Week for the WHA2. He set a WHA2 record with 6 points (4G, 2A) in the Jan. 30 game against Miami.

ANDY KOLLAR was named Goalie of the Week for the WHA2.

Macon's power play has been stellar as of late. The Trax now lead the WHA2 with 33 power play goals.

The Trax continue to lead the WHA2 with an 85.5% success rate on the penalty kill.

Macon has scored 55 of their 149 goals in the second period this season.

STANDOUTS:

CRAIG MILLER has scored five goals in his last five games. DAVID DEEVES has risen to third in league scoring with 53 points (21G, 32A). STEVE ZORYK is third in the WHA2 with 23 goals. JOHN GURSKIS is second in the league with 20 power play points.

TRAX PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

· CRAIG MILLER—Miller shined in three Trax games this week. Miller scored four goals and registered one assist versus Lakeland and Alabama. His biggest goals were the first two of the week. The Fredericton, N.B., Can. native scored the game tying and game winning goal Feb. 3 against the Loggerheads.

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