Lynx Climb Back To .500 On The Season With Three Straight Wins

March 15, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


Augusta kept the ball rolling this week, recording three straight wins and a pair of consecutive shutouts with wins over South Carolina, Florence, and Pensacola.

3/9 Augusta 5 @ South Carolina 0

Continuing their dominance of South Carolina this season, the Lynx scored a pair of shorthanded goals en route to a 5-0 shutout of the Stingrays on Tuesday. Five different Lynx scored in the game, as Jonathan Gagnon, Louis Goulet, Todd Bennett (SH), Terry Marchant, and Scott Corbett (SH) lit the lamp. Jason Saal picked up the shutout for the Lynx by making 42 saves.

3/13 Florence 0 @ Augusta 1 (SO)

Three scoreless periods of play led to a scoreless overtime on Saturday night against the Florence Pride, sending the game into a shootout. Jason Saal made 30 saves over 65 minutes of game play, and then turned aside 4-of-5 shooters in the extra session. Florence's Sebastien Laplante deflected 41 shots in regulation and 2-of-4 in the shootout. Saal recorded his second consecutive shutout and fourth of the year, putting him in a tie for first in that category league-wide. It was also Saal's 16th shutout of his ECHL career, placing him behind Marc Magliarditi (19) and Daniel Berthiaume (18) on the all time list.

3/14 Pensacola 3 @ Augusta 4 (OT)

Augusta would fight back from a 1-0 deficit to take a 2-1 lead after the first period on goals by Greg Jacina and Jarrett Thompson. In the second stanza, the Ice Pilots fought back to take a 3-2 lead, but the Lynx managed a power play goal by Terry Marchant to even the game after regulation time and force overtime. After a thwarted 2-on-1 in the Lynx end, John Cronin completed a Scott Kelman feed to give Augusta the 4-3 win. Jason Saal once again earned the win with 34 saves in the game, earning his fourth straight victory.

Promotionally Speaking

March 19th the first 1,000 people through the door will receive a SprintPCS/Lynx T-Shirt. It's also Girl Scout night with the Lynx - troops must call in advance to book tickets and secure patches for that night's game at (706) 724-4423. March 20th is Church Night, with special group rates for parishes that must be booked through the Lynx office. Following the game, the Lynx will hold a jersey auction for fans! Anyone can bid on game-worn jerseys from this season.

Coach's Show Lineup

This week's Behind the Bench Coach's Show will feature random player guests selected from the audience. The Coach's Show is broadcast live from Cadillac's Fine Food and Spirits every Monday night at 7 pm on EAGLE 102.3 FM. Cadillac's is located in Le Pavilion Plaza on Washington Road in Augusta. Come check out the show!

Lynx Notes

* Louis Goulet just set a personal mark for a season high scoring streak with a point in nine straight contests that ended 3/13 vs. Florence. Over that stretch Goulet had six goals and 14 points while amassing a +7 rating.

* Jason Saal recorded back-to-back shutouts Tuesday and Friday, and in the process set the Lynx team mark for consecutive scoreless minutes played at 187:21. Saal's streak went from the first period against Columbus on March 6th when he gave up a goal at 8:59 until Sunday's 4-3 overtime win over Pensacola when they scored at 11:20 of the first period. In between Saal blanked South Carolina 5-0 with 42 saves, and Florence 1-0 in a shootout with 30 stops over 65 minutes of play, and 4-of-5 in the shootout. The old mark was held by Tom Draper at 123:02 and was set 2/22/03 to 2/27/03 last season.

* Three of Terry Marchant's last five goals have come on the power play, including the game-tying goal on Sunday against Pensacola.

* Augusta set a new team mark for consecutive scoreless minutes played at 187:21, breaking the old team mark of 123:02 set last season.

* The Lynx have established a new team mark for consecutive games without a power play goal allowed, holding opponents off the board in eight straight contests. Over that stretch Lynx opponents have gone 0-for-37 with the man advantage.

* Sunday's overtime win was the Lynx's second OT victory this season, and just the third time they've come from behind when trailing after two periods of play (3-23-1).

* The Lynx still have not lost in regulation when leading after two periods of play this season (17-0-5).

Lynx To The Community

Everybody loves a parade! Augusta fans can come out to see their team in Augusta's St. Patrick's Day Parade on Wednesday, starting at 2 pm with the parade will take place on Broad Street. Look for the Lynx float!

The Augusta Lynx will read to kids at Gibbs Memorial Library in Evans this Wednesday, March 17th starting at 4 pm. Various players will be on hand to read to children in attendance and sign autographs. The team will also appear at Aladdin Travel on Fort Gordon this coming Thursday, March 18th from 2-4 pm. Louie the Lynx will also be in attendance along with Jason Saal, John Cronin, Rob Stanfield, and Pete Reynolds.

Coming Up

The Lynx will head to Gwinnett to take on the Gladiators on Tuesday night at 7:05 pm, with a 6:55 pm pre-game show on EAGLE 102. After that, the team returns home to battle Charlotte on Friday night at 7:35 pm, Gwinnett at 7:35 pm on Saturday, and round things out with a 4:05 pm Sunday matinee against Roanoke. Tuesday's, Friday's, and Saturday's games will be aired live on EAGLE 102 FM, while Sunday's game will be available through FoxSports Radio 1340 AM. You can also check out the games on the web at www.augustalynx.com .

Ticket Information

Seats may be purchased through the Augusta Richmond County Civic Center Box Office, or through all TicketMaster locations, on line at www.TicketMaster.com , or charge by phone at (706) 828-7700. Seats are $10, $12, and $13 with discounts available for seniors, students, and military personnel.

UP NEXT:
3/16 @ GWT 7:05
3/19 vs. CHR 7:35
3/20 vs. GWT 7:35
3/21 vs. RNK 4:05

IN REVIEW:
3/9 AUG 5 @ SC 0
3/13 AUG 1 vs. FLO 0
3/14 AUG 4 vs. PEN 3 (OT)

Upcoming Promotions:

March 19 - SprintPCS/Augusta Lynx T-Shirt Night; Girl Scout Night

March 20 - Church Night; Jersey Auction!

27-27-7 (61 pts.; 6th Place - Central Div., Western Conf.)



ECHL Stories from March 15, 2004


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