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Lynx Win OT Thriller Over Checkers 5-4

March 19, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


Augusta needed an extra 4:27 to do it, but they overcame the Charlotte Checkers in an exciting 5-4 overtime contest before 3,619 fans at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center on Friday night.

A power play goal marked the only scoring of the first period, and it belonged to the Checkers. Doug Christiansen scored on his own rebound in front of the Lynx net at 15:45 to put his club ahead 1-0 with help from Mike Wirll and Richard Keyes. For the Lynx, the goal marked the first time in ten games they had allowed a power play goal. Augusta had held opponents scoreless on the power play for a team record nine straight matches, turning aside 46 opportunities in all over the life of the streak.

The second period would tilt back and forth between the two clubs, with neither team scoring until the Lynx broke through late in the frame with a shorthanded goal from Louis Goulet. Scott Corbett sniffed out a clearing pass, intercepting the puck at the Checkers line and flipping a perfect saucer to Goulet at 18:32 to tie the game at 1-1 after two periods of play. Augusta out-shot Charlotte 22-5 in the period, with David St. Germain continuing his outstanding play to keep the game a low-scoring affair.

In the third period, the low-scoring affair was replaced by a run and gun game that saw both clubs score three times each within the first 13:20 of the final frame. Charlotte claimed a 3-1 lead on goals by Doug Christiansen at 2:47 and Allan Egeland at 4:01 before the Lynx came back. At 5:05, Scott Kelman dunked the rebound of a Brandon Doria shot to make it 3-2, while Jonathan Goodwin, playing in his first game as a pro, nabbed an assist as well. Then Jonathan Gagnon would score at 9:50, tying the game at 3-3 from Doria and Goulet. Charlotte was not done, however, as Andrei Lupandin dumped the puck in off the glass in the Lynx end to head for a change. Jason Saal charged behind the net to play the biscuit, but it kicked off a glass stanchion straight to Blas Emersic who put the puck into an empty net for a 4-3 Checkers lead. But once again, riding the momentum of the home crowd, the Lynx tied the game at 4-4 when Todd Bennett came streaking in from the point, roofing a feed from Terry Marchant to send the crowd into a frenzy. Once again, newbie Jonathan Goodwin picked up an assist on the game-tying goal at 13:20.

A freak injury to goaltender David St. Germain while making a diving stop on Doria at point blank range drove the Checkers netminder from the game after a 44 save performance. Gregg Naumenko, former Lynx goaltender, stepped in to finish the game's final 5:46 of regulation time, turning aside two shots to set up the overtime. Both teams had chances in each end in the OT, but it would finally be the Lynx, with only 33 seconds remaining in the extra session, who found the victory. Greg Jacina took a pass from Saal, went end to end, and was stopped by Naumenko before Marchant swooped in for the rebound, lifting it into the top of the net to send the team and the fans into euphoria. The 5-4 win was Augusta's third consecutive win in overtime this season, and gets the team back to 28-28-7 on the year. Saal earned the win in net with 30 saves while Naumenko was saddled with the overtime loss, making three stops.

The Lynx will next face off against the Gwinnett Gladiators for the final time this season in a 7:35 pm contest. It's Church Night with the Lynx, and following the game will be the team's end of season Jersey Auction! Stay after the contest for your chance to win an official game-worn Lynx jersey! Augusta will then round out the weekend with a Kids Day Sunday matinee game against the Roanoke Express at 4:05 pm.



ECHL Stories from March 19, 2004


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