Preview: Mayhem at Huntsville Havoc (Game 33)
January 26, 2019 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Mayhem News Release
Mayhem Snap Huntsville's Five-Game Winning Streak
The Huntsville Havoc were one of the hottest teams in the SPHL heading into last night's tilt with the Mayhem. They had won five straight games, all of which they scored three goals or more. Not to mention, these wins came against teams like Birmingham, Knoxville, and the surging Pensacola Ice Flyers, who just snapped Peoria's seven-game winning streak in a shootout last night.
Macon showed tremendous composure after going down a goal just 5:17 into the contest. Huntsville had been particularly lethal in the first period recently, and the Mayhem responded in the best possible way. Just over two minutes later, Jake Trask answered with a goal of his own, followed shortly by a John Siemer tap-in goal which stood as the game-winner as the Mayhem never looked back.
The Matchup
Huntsville has not hosted Macon since November 11th of 2018, when the Mayhem managed a 3-2 triumph to extend their winning streak to six games. In home-and-home situations this season, the Mayhem have gone 5-3-0 and are 2-2-0 in the second game of the series.
Without a doubt, the return of high-scoring defenseman Nolan Kaiser from a one-game suspension will be an enormous boost for the Havoc this afternoon. Kaiser has scored ten points (2G, 8A) in 16 games. Oddly enough, however, the Havoc have somewhat struggled at home this season and have been one of the few teams who has played better on the road (12-6-1) than they have in their own building (7-5-0). Having just ended their winning streak last night, the Mayhem are expecting their opponents to have a second wind as they return to home ice to wrap up the home-and-home series.
Old Friends
It is baffling to consider the amount of former Mayhem players on Huntsville's roster. Players like Jake Trask and John Siemer who have been in Macon for years have been teammates with many of the Havoc in the past. Huntsville leading scorer Ryan Salkeld (16-18), SPHL veteran John Schiavo (15-16), and goaltenders Mike DeLaVergne (16-17) and Max Milosek (17-18) have all been a part of the Mayhem in previous years. This phenomenon only adds to the already hostile rivalry between these two franchises, and with tonight being the second-game of the series, expect the hostilities to escalate to a much higher degree than they did yesterday.
First Three-Game Series
Next weekend will be the Mayhem's first three-game home series of the season. They will play host to the league-leading Peoria Rivermen from Thursday, January 31st through Saturday, February 2nd.
Thursday is College Night presented by Ann Parman Law, where college students can purchase tickets for $8 with the presentation of a college ID at the box office. Friday is Superhero Night presented by Chip'N Away @ Heart Disease, where fans are encouraged to dress as their favorite superheroes. Saturday is Camo Night presented by Tommy's Bakery & Café. On this night, the Mayhem will be wearing camouflage jerseys when they battle the Rivermen to wrap up the series. The jerseys will be sold at a live auction in the Centreplex lobby following the game.
SPHL Stories from January 26, 2019
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- Thunderbolts Shock Marksmen in a 4-3 Shootout Win - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Mayhem Edged in High-Scoring Affair in Huntsville - Macon Mayhem
- Preview: Mayhem at Huntsville Havoc (Game 33) - Macon Mayhem
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (16-15-1) at Bulls (21-9-2) - 7:00 PM CST - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
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