
Preview: Mayhem at Fayetteville Marksmen (Game 24)
December 28, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Mayhem News Release
Mayhem Drop a Third Straight Shootout
With a four-game winning streak hanging in the balance, the Mayhem could not exorcise their shootout demons on Wednesday night and fell silent throughout, ultimately falling 3-2 to the Knoxville Ice Bears.
Credit has to be given to the Mayhem for erasing a two-goal deficit in the third period in just a 50-second span, scoring back-to-back goals and fighting off a late five-minute major penalty to force the shootout in the first place. Unfortunately, despite all their valiant work to put themselves into this situation, the Mayhem have simply not been good in shootouts this season.
Macon's only player to score in a shootout thus far, Dakota Klecha, was unavailable due to injury. Without him, the Mayhem were blanked on five straight attempts, and even with Ian Sylves holding strong, Knoxville's David Higgs snuck a backhand shot through to seal the game.
The Matchup
The Mayhem's last game against the Fayetteville Marksmen was exactly two weeks ago, the day before Teddy Bear Toss. In this tilt, John Siemer opened the scoring 20 seconds into the game following an offensive zone faceoff win. Kristaps Bazevics also got into the first fight of his SPHL career, dropping the gloves with Taylor Pryce after a high cross-check struck Zach Urban. Jake Trask scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second period.
The head-to-head season series against the Marksmen has been one-sided in terms of the results, with the Mayhem racking up a 4-0-0 record against Fayetteville this season. Though the Marksmen still have not earned a point yet against Macon, all four games have been within reach of them to do so. Fayetteville has dropped off a bit lately, falling three points outside of the other three squads composing the middle ranks of the SPHL standings. However, a home win against Roanoke on Wednesday in front of 5,500 fans will have their spirits high heading into tonight's game.
Former Flame
Ex-Mayhem forward Darren McCormick has been on a tear of late, having tallied a point in five consecutive games. He now ranks fourth in the SPHL in goals scored this season with 11, only one fewer than Trask. He seems to pick up his play even more when facing his old squad. Against the Mayhem, McCormick leads all Marksmen with three points in four games (2G, 1A). The third-year SPHL sniper will be high on Leo Thomas' radar tonight, and is someone the Mayhem defensemen will have to defend with a very watchful eye.
Margaritas at Mercer Village Watch Party
Margaritas at Mercer Village will be hosting tonight's game. Margaritas has served Macon and Middle Georgia delicious Mexican food and drinks in a fun, festive atmosphere for almost 20 years. The Mercer Village location is at 1602 Montpelier Avenue in Macon.
SPHL Stories from December 28, 2018
- Rivermen Can't Hold off Havoc Friday, Fall 6-4 in Huntsville - Peoria Rivermen
- Bulls Come up Short against Pensacola - Birmingham Bulls
- Dawgs Fall in Knoxville, 5-2 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Mayhem Silenced in Fayetteville - Macon Mayhem
- Travis Armstrong Returned from ECHL Reading - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Rivermen Loan Two to ECHL, Sign Prince Friday - Peoria Rivermen
- Preview: Mayhem at Fayetteville Marksmen (Game 24) - Macon Mayhem
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (11-10-0) at Ice Bears (10-8-2) - 7:30 PM - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Late Score Puts Havoc over Ice Flyers 2-1 - Huntsville Havoc
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