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Lynx to play three in three this weekend

February 11, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


A busy weekend for the Augusta Lynx kicks off Friday night against the Florida Everblades, proceeding to Greenville to battle the Grrrowl on Saturday, and finally ending with a return to the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center for a Sunday matinee with the Charlotte Checkers.

Friday Florida returns for the final installment of a seven game series between the two teams. Currently the Lynx trail the series 2-3-1, but are 2-1-1 in the last four contests against the Everblades.

Injuries may be the most predominant story heading into this weekend, with Florida having moved goaltender Craig Kowalski to the 30-Day IR to make room for Brad Church on the 7-Day list. Goaltender Tyler MacKay was brought in through a trade for defenseman Tom Reimann to shore up the short term netminding duties, as Rob Zepp is also out of the lineup on 7-Day IR. On the plus side for the Everblades, they will get forward Keith Anderson back. Anderson has only played in 22 of his team's 45 games this year, totaling seven goals and 11 points in that span. The 26 year-old forward came off his best offensive numbers last year, putting up 18 goals and 51 points in 55 games with Florida, and is expected to give the Everblades an offensive boost.

Augusta's defensemen continue to find the injured list, with Rod Sarich the latest casualty to join the parade. John Cronin is progressing towards a return, with Steve Munn a bit further down the line for getting back on the ice. Having so many key defenseman out has forced the Lynx to play forwards on the blue line, with captain Louis Goulet seeing the most time back there as of late. Todd Bennett has also helped out on occasion, especially in short handed situations.

"We're fortunate to have guys who are this versatile," said Lynx head coach and director of hockey operations Stan Drulia. "I have confidence in a guy like Louis or Benny back there to take some shifts on "D". I'd rather have them up front, for sure, but they're definitely capable defensively."

Bennett will return this weekend for the team after being out of the lineup since suffering facial lacerations in Pensacola almost two weeks ago. Add in Jarrett Thompson's recent return to the ice for Augusta, and the team is at full strength offensively, or at least has a full compliment of bodies on the ice.

This Saturday will mark the last time the Lynx head to Greenville this year to battle the Grrrowl, with Augusta then hosting the final three matches of the season. The Lynx have only managed one point in two games against Greenville, and with the Grrrowl sitting ten points ahead and tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the American Conference, Augusta can ill afford to give the Grrrowl any more points this season.

Finally, Sunday brings a return engagement with the Charlotte Checkers, a team the Lynx have struggled with this year. In five games this year, Augusta has only one victory to their credit, back on December 26th at Charlotte to snap a seven-game losing streak. Controlling Mike Harder will be one of the team's biggest priorities. The veteran center has two goals and nine points to go with a +1 rating in five games against the Lynx. Earlier in the week Charlotte was assigned six players from their AHL affiliate in Hartford, but now has seen those players recalled. Whether or not they will be in the lineup for Sunday's contest is unknown at this point. What is certain is Augusta's need to get as many points as possible while keeping opponents off the board – regulation wins.

The Lynx enter the weekend ten points out of the eighth and final American Conference playoff spot. Augusta sits one point behind the Louisiana IceGators, and ten behind Pee Dee and Greenville, who are tied for the final playoff spot. All three games this weekend will be broadcast live on your Home for Lynx Hockey, NEWSTALKSPORTS 1630. Pre-game show kicks off one-half hour before game time, with the broadcasts also available through www.augustalynx.com. Tickets are on sale now for all remaining home games at the team office by calling (706) 724-4ICE, at all TicketMaster locations, or on line at www.TicketMaster.com.

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