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Lynx Set To Battle Everblades This Weekend

December 17, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


The Augusta Lynx look to break a five game losing skid when they battle the Florida Everblades in the first of a two-game set starting tonight at Germain Arena in Fort Meyers, Florida.

Both teams come into tonight's game both on a bit of a downward trend. While the Lynx have struggled in their last five games, Florida put an end to a six-game winning streak by dropping two in a row to the Pee Dee Pride at home followed by a 2-1 overtime loss to the Pensacola Ice Pilots on Tuesday night, also at Germain Arena.

"It hasn't been any one thing for us," said Kevin Reiter, Florida's Director of Broadcasting and Public Relations. "When we're on, we're very tough to beat. On our recent winning streak, there's a lot to talk about, a lot going right. It's not that we're playing bad, we're just not getting the bounces."

That might sound familiar to the Lynx, who have looked great at times, and have seen the other side of the coin on other nights. Goaltending has been up and down for both clubs this year as well. Rob Zepp has been supplanted as Florida's starter by rookie backstop Craig Kowalski as of late. Kowalski has appeared in 15 games for the Everblades this year, going 8-5-1 with a 2.59 GAA and .916 save percentage, and has started eight of the last ten games for the club. Zepp, meanwhile, has been relegated to occasional duty after starting the year 4-6-0 with a 3.05 GAA and .894 save percentage, but may see action against the Lynx this weekend.

Meanwhile for Augusta, Matus Kostur will get work this weekend as well. So far this year, Kostur has struggled on the ice, going 2-6-0 for the club with a 3.17 GAA and .878 save percentage. But if previous years are any indication, Kostur's game will elevate itself.

"Matus has shown before that he can play at this level and be very successful," said Chuck Weber, Lynx

Assistant Coach. "We're hoping he'll work his way off the slide he's on starting this weekend, and become the goaltender we know he can be."

Defensively the team received help in the form of Phil Cole when he was assigned to the team from the Albany River Rats earlier this week. Standing 6-4 and known for his physical edge, the Lynx are hoping his aggressive physical play can get the team going while shoring up things in their own end. Also helping the Lynx will be facing the league's worst power play (8.9%) and penalty kill (72.7%).

"It comes down to taking advantage of our chances," said Weber. "We need to continue to work hard, and to battle. There are no easy games, and no one can afford a night off. Tonight we need to get them off their game early and take the fans out of it as well."

The Lynx will look to do just that starting at 7:30 pm tonight, with the pre-game show kicking off with Tom Callahan on NEWSTALKSPORTS 1630 at 7:05 pm. Catch all the action live on the air or on the internet at www.augustalynx.com or www.sportsjuice.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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