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Lynx score four power play goals in win over Gladiators

December 22, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


Augusta, GA - As expected, special teams was the story of the game between the Gwinnett Gladiators and Augusta Lynx on Friday night. The unexpected news was Augusta scoring four power play goals while holding the Gladiators without a man advantage marker in a 5-4 win at the James Brown Arena.

J.B. Bittner's fantastic effort to split the defense yielded the only goal of the opening frame as he flipped a backhand shot past Dan Turple at 3:07 for a power play marker. Jamie Johnson fed the streaking Bittner at center, and as he swept in over the Gladiators' line, the speedy center cut between the defenders and straight in on net for the goal. Nathan Saunders also added a helper on the marker.

Gwinnett grabbed the momentum back in the second period, scoring three straight goals, two of which came shorthanded. Colton Fretter scored twice sandwiched around a Joel Stepp shorthanded marker for a 3-1 Gladiator advantage at 12:19 of the middle frame.

Johnson would pull the Lynx back within a goal at 15:55 with a power play marker from Ryan Lang and Sean Blanchard for a 3-2 score after 40 minutes of play.

In the third, Gwinnett stretched the lead back to two goals on Blue Bennefield's fifth goal of the year from Stepp just 4:42 into the period. From there, the Lynx put on their rally helmets and worked their way back in the game.

After a turnover at center ice, Lang fed a breaking Eric Lundberg on the left wing as the defenseman jumped into the rush and chipped a puck over the right shoulder of Turple at 11:02 for a 4-3 count.

Bittner then notched his second of the night from Lundberg and Louis Goulet during a five-on three power play advantage. During a time out preceding the goal, Lynx head coach Bob Ferguson drew up a play that Augusta executed to perfection for the goal to tie the game.

Finally, Mike Erickson would score the game winner on the ensuing five-on-four power play from Jamie Johnson, who fed the lanky winger in front from behind the Gladiators' cage at 15:10.

Augusta continued the physical play that marked the entire evening through the final five minutes, protecting its one goal lead and preventing Turple from leaving the net until just 35 seconds remained in the game.

The Lynx finished the game 4-for-8 on the power play while Gwinnett was 0-for-5. Lynx netminder Mike Brodeur earned his first win in his first start of the year with 17 saves. Turple stopped 20 shots in the loss.

Augusta will come back to action after the Christmas holiday break at 7:35 pm on Wednesday, December 27 against the Pensacola Ice Pilots. Get your game face on - Paint your face and wear your most outrageous Lynx outfit for a chance to win prizes! Also, Mezzanine seats are only $5 for the game. Call (706) 724-4ICE to order your tickets today!



ECHL Stories from December 22, 2006


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