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Lynx prepare for March to the playoffs

March 2, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


March may come in like a lion and go out like a lamb, but for the Augusta Lynx, they'll have to rely on constantly being on the prowl to remain engaged in the playoff hunt.

Entering this weekend's action, the Lynx sit 11 points behind the Mississippi Sea Wolves for the eighth and final playoff spot in the ECHL's American Conference. The gap from eighth to second in the conference is a mere eight points – a short winning or losing streak from the top to the bottom of the playoff heap. The same holds true for Augusta at this point as well: a winning streak may propel the team to the playoffs, while a losing streak... well, that's not what anyone is looking for.

Augusta comes off their most successful month of the year to date, going 7-2-2 in February. In comparison with the teams sitting 2 – 11 in the American Conference, for last month the Lynx rank tied for first with Greenville for goals allowed (31), second in goal differential (+5), second on the power play (24.5%), and fourth in win percentage (.727). Grabbing 16 of a possible 22 points has certainly bolstered the team's expectations, and now the Lynx know it's up to them.

"I don't know why it's coming together now, but it definitely is," said team captain Louis Goulet at Monday's Behind the Bench Coach's Show, broadcast live from Wild Wing Café on NEWSTALKSPORTS 1630. "We're playing well, and everyone's stepping up to make contributions. It's great to see guys like Dan Sullivan and Colt King get involved in the offense, too. They're not expected to produce all the time, but when they do it's great."

Head coach and director of hockey operations Stan Drulia agrees.

"I've been saying all along this is how good this team can be, and now they're showing it on the ice. Our goaltending has been making the saves we need them to make, and we're getting goals from all over. It's great to get contributions from guys like Sullivan, (John) Cronin, and King. I couldn't be happier for them. In fact, I think Sullivan has been a big reason for our turnaround. I know he had a bit of a bum rap when he came in here, but he's done a great job for this team."

Indeed, Sullivan came into Augusta with questions hanging over his head after an auspicious stint in Reading, and then playing with a Louisiana team that has struggled the entire second half of the season before landing with the Lynx. In 13 games with the Lynx, Sullivan has two goals and five points along with 43 PIMs. His toughness is a key ingredient, but so is his ability to fire up his teammates and get them going.

"I was actually a bit worried when he scored against Gwinnett," said Lynx assistant coach Chuck Weber with a laugh. "I thought he might punch some of our guys in the head instead of high-fiving them, because he was so pumped up. He's definitely been a physical and emotional boost for the team."

Also contributing to the team in a big way recently is forward Colt King. King, who was brought in from Reading earlier in the year, earned the team's nomination for rookie of the month honors with seven goals and 12 points in 11 games, not to mention 50 minutes in penalties. But he also had a knock against him when he came to Augusta.

"I think the perception on Colt was that he didn't work hard every day, or had other issues," said Drulia. "We sat down and had a talk as soon as he got here about what I expected from him, about work ethic and what he could bring to the table. I think he's really come around to the point where he's got a very good shot at being in the American (Hockey) League next season."

Indeed, King has flourished since being placed on a line with Augusta's leading scorer Jamie Johnson, with Matt Dzieuduszycki mostly occupying the other wing slot. Johnson, who won In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week Honors for the third week of February, currently sits fourth in league scoring with 19 goals and 61 points. Nominated for February Player of the Month honors, Johnson has been the team's offensive catalyst now more than ever. Of Augusta's six regulation wins in February, Johnson scored three of the game winning goals. He also registered four multiple point games during the month and led all Lynx with nine goals and 19 points.

But as much as the forwards have been scoring, it's the lack of goals allowed that has helped Augusta the most. Even with an 8-2 anomaly thrown into the goals against category from a loss in Gwinnett on 2/25, Augusta still allowed just 31 goals in 11 games. Taking that game out of the equation, Augusta's goals against average would be a minimal 2.30 for the month. Jason Saal finished 7-2-0 for February, recording a 1.97 GAA and .930 save percentage.

"It's been no secret... our goaltending had to pick it up, and lately they have," said Drulia. "Saal has played extremely well for us, and is making the saves he needs to make. We're not asking him to be spectacular, but to make the key stops that give us a chance to win every night. That's exactly what he's been doing lately."

Finally, the Lynx are starting to look healthier back on the blue line. John Cronin's return was punctuated by the 1,500th goal in team history against Gwinnett on Saturday, and Steve Munn's return also appears imminent. With the return to health of the defensive corps, it also frees up Goulet to return up front. As the team's second-leading scorer (14-34-48), his return to forward will only serve to give the Lynx yet another offensive weapon for opposing teams to worry about. In the last several months, Phil Cole, Treavor Peterson, Joe Markusen, and Sean Connolly have logged quite a bit of ice time. Newcomer Regan Darby, picked up in a trade with Las Vegas, has added grit to the lineup. Lawne Snyder has also seen increased ice in his rookie campaign when healthy. With the possibility of a return from Rod Sarich near the end of the regular season, the team's lineup could look very good indeed.

Now if they can only carry over their success into March and roar into the playoffs.

The Lynx are back in action this weekend, playing the Inferno in Columbia both Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm, followed by a Sunday matinee contest against the Pride in Pee Dee, slated for a 2:30 pm faceoff. Augusta's next home game will be on Saturday, March 12th against the Greenville Grrrowl at 7:35 pm. Tickets are on sale now through the Lynx office at (706) 724-4ICE, through all TicketMaster locations, or on line at www.TicketMaster.com.

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