Lynx Prepare For Friday Clash With Gladiators

Published on October 28, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


Friday night the Augusta Lynx will head to Gwinnett to battle the Gladiators in an American Conference matchup that could very well mean more than two points for either team.

The Lynx have yet to win in Gwinnett dating back to last season when the Gladiators entered the ECHL. Why does it seem the Lynx haven't been able to win there?

"It's not just one thing," said Lynx Assistant Coach Chuck Weber. "It's been a different thing every time. I don't think there's a ‘bugaboo' around the arena per se, we just weren't able to finish them off. The team we have is improved over last year's club, and we're going to compete there and everywhere else all year."

Entering the weekend 0-2 isn't the most exciting proposition either, but the Lynx don't feel that things are bad right now. In fact, they're taking the positive out of last week's games and applying it on the ice.

"I'm not worried about it," said Lynx forward Louis Goulet at the Behind the Bench Coach's Show from Wild Wing Café on Monday. "If we weren't getting the chances, I'd worry. But we've had some quality scoring chances. It's just a matter of time before we start burying them, and when we do, we're going to start winning games."

The chances have gotten better and better. Once Augusta got things going in the second period against Gwinnett in the season opener, the Lynx scored three straight goals to close the game in a 4-3 loss. The third period of that contest saw them out shoot the Gladiators 17-3, and in the following game against Pee Dee, the shot count was 40-17 in favor of Augusta in a 4-1 loss.

"I felt we were in their end the whole time in Pee Dee," said Lynx Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Stan Drulia. "Their goalie played well, and obviously not scoring on that five-on-three power play hurt us. But the hustle is there, the opportunities are there. This team needs that one break to open things up."

That break might come in the form of a power play goal. So far, Augusta has gone 0-for-12 with the man advantage leading into this weekend, not a good stretch to start the year. Looking to change things week the Lynx toiled on the power play in practice.

"We're working on doing the things we do and making them better," said Weber. "Our special teams need a little time to come together, and I think this has been a good week in practice."

"The way the schedule has worked out has been fantastic for us," said Drulia. "The practice time has been great and is exactly what this team needed to bring everything together. It's helped the guys figure out what we expect and how to execute day in and day out on the ice."

Dating back to last season, the Lynx are currently 1-5-1 against Gwinnett, not including two pre-season games last year (both Lynx losses). However, when you ask around, the recurring theme seems to be the optimism, and how much the team has changed.

"This year we've got a different team, and we're looking forward to playing spoilers opening night," said Weber. "They're raising their Division Champs banner, and what better time to show up and skate out with a win."

The Lynx will also have rookie Lawne Snyder in the lineup on Friday night after releasing Jason Norrie. Snyder led all Division III defensemen in scoring his senior season at Elmira College, and tied for first in the nation in power play goals with teammate Jared Konkle.

"Lawne's a guy who obviously has an offensive mindset," said Drulia. "We're hoping to use him to his strengths on the man advantage. Hopefully he's one of these kids who develops into a real presence for our special teams and helps us get things going."

Does Drulia feel any extra pressure being a former Atlanta Knight, especially one that hoisted a Turner Cup and still has fans in town that come to see him?

"I don't think that's a factor at all," he said on the Behind the Bench Coach's Show. "I'm comfortable going back there, and it's nice to see friends I don't always get a chance to catch up with. But it's also business on the ice and we're there to win hockey games. The team has been working hard all week to prepare for this game. We've thrown a few new wrinkles in the lineup. It should be a great game."

Meanwhile, Weber has been patrolling the video screens, looking for ideas, mistakes, or anything the Lynx might be able to exploit. As a former video coach in both the AHL and IHL, he digests hours of tapes for the Lynx before games.

"We've had some time to look at the tape of last week's game. It helps to have seen them once, and now we can review what we did and make adjustments for Friday."

Hopefully the biggest adjustment of all will be the most fun – adjusting to winning in Gwinnett.

The Lynx take on the Gladiators in their only game of the weekend on Friday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:35 pm, with the pre-game show kicking off at 7:05 pm with Tom Callahan on your New Home for Lynx Hockey, NEWSTALKSPORTS 1630 AM. Augusta's next home game will be on Friday, November 12th against the Charlotte Checkers at 7:35 pm. Tickets are on sale now through the Lynx office at 712 Telfair St. by calling (706) 724-4ICE, through all TicketMaster locations, or on line at www.TicketMaster.com. Individual prices are $10, $13, and $14, with discounts for seniors, students, and military personnel with valid ID.

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