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Lynx vs. Glads tonight

January 4, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


Augusta, GA - When the Augusta Lynx and Gwinnett Gladiators take to the ice tonight, not only will they resume a season series that has teetered back and forth all year, but they will renew the quest for something that had been thought lost to the dust of Georgia hockey history: the Peach Cup.

One of two once-hallowed trophies battled for by the Lynx in the course of their history (the other being the still-active Border Cup with the Columbia Inferno), the Peach Cup will again go to the winner between Georgia's ECHL teams starting this year. Originally the Lynx battled the now-defunct Macon Whoopee and Columbus Cottonmouths for the title, with Gwinnett entering the league just three short years ago.

After the demise of Columbus' ECHL franchise, the cup sat in Augusta and seemed forgotten as the Lynx and Gladiators did not continue the tradition... until now.

"I think this will give fans something to get fired up about," said James Warbington, Lynx director of game night operations and productions. "We want to bring the excitement back to hockey in Augusta, and the reawakening of geographic rivalries is a natural way to do just that."

While Warbington would not discuss specifics, the challenge for the Peach Cup may go beyond the ice.

"We're working with the Gladiators to make this fun and intense, both on and off the ice," he said.

Augusta holds a 3-2-0 edge in the season series, taking the last game between the two back on December 22 by a 5-4 count after a stirring three-goal comeback effort in the game's final frame. Staked to a 4-2 lead on a pair of goals by Colton Fretter and singles from Joel Stepp and Blue Bennefield, the Lynx roared back for the win over the final 8:58 of the contest.

Eric Lundberg's even strength goal was followed by a pair of power play goals from J.B. Bittner and Mike Erickson as the Lynx went 4-for-8 with the man advantage in the game to help claim victory.

Things look a bit different for tonight's game, as the Lynx will not have Bittner, traded to the Dallas organization after being recalled to Portland last week, or Johnson, who was recalled to the Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League and will once again skate alongside Bittner.

Augusta's goaltending situation has shifted slightly as well, with the Lynx tandem now featuring Dave McKee along with Nathan Marsters. Mike Brodeur, who shut out Pensacola last week, has been recalled to the AHL's Norfolk Admirals in the wake of a trade that saw Marsters assigned by the Anaheim Ducks to Augusta in his stead. Brodeur made just 17 saves en route to the win for the Lynx last time they played the Gladiators - no small feat against a team averaging 33.48 shots per game.

McKee stopped 32 shots to earn a 5-2 victory over Charlotte on New Year's Eve, his 11th win of the season. After his second recall to Anaheim earlier in the week, McKee returned to the crease to snap a personal stretch of three straight losses and get back on track.

Gwinnett brings its top-ranked power play to the game tonight, scoring on 25% of all chances this year (60-240) and killing off 85.7% of all power play chances against, good for sixth in the ECHL.

The Gladiators also feature the league's top two scorers in Brad Schell (14-46-60) and Scott Mifsud (13-33-46) as well as top scoring rookie Colton Fretter, who has 20 goals and 37 points thus far. Not surprisingly, the Gladiators also rank first in the ECHL in goals for at 4.35 per game.

Despite the obvious strength of the Gladiators' special teams, last time the two met the fates reversed as not only did Augusta score four power play goals, but also held the Gladiators to an 0-for-5 performance with the man advantage.

What does it all mean? As with all good rivalries, two things: 1) You can throw the records, and the stats, out the window when these two teams play, and 2) its always going to be a battle. Of the five games contested this season between the two clubs, only one (Gwinnett's 6-4 win at home on 11/8) was decided by more than one goal. In one-goal games this year, the Lynx are 10-4-0, while Gwinnett is 6-3-4.

Get your seats for tonight and all remaining Lynx home games by calling the office at (706) 724-4ICE, via all TicketMaster locations, and on line at www.TicketMaster.com. Tonight's game features Metro Spirit Thirsty Thursday and Mezzanine seats are just $5! See you at the game!



ECHL Stories from January 4, 2007


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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