Preview: Mayhem at Quad City Storm (Game 39)
February 15, 2019 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Mayhem News Release
Mayhem Drop Sixth Straight in Pensacola
When it has rained, it has poured for the Mayhem. The team has gone on two substantial losing skids this season, each of which would be the longest in franchise history. The first took place immediately after Christmas, when the Mayhem played in three different cities in four nights before a home-and-home series with Roanoke. The second is what they are in the midst of fighting through right now, with the season now 2/3 of the way through.
What's remarkable about this is the fact that outside of these two losing streaks, the Mayhem have had an utterly phenomenal season. If one were to look at Macon's record without these two skids, the Mayhem would stand at 21-4-2. While this is purely hypothetical, it is telling to note how hot and cold the team has run throughout the campaign. For instance, there has only been one time this season in which a Mayhem winning stretch didn't span at least three games or longer. Facing a brand new opponent for the first time in history, Coach Thomas and company are hoping to jumpstart another winning spell tonight.
The Matchup
The Quad City Storm are an expansion team in their inaugural season, having never faced the Mayhem before. They remain the only team in the SPHL the Mayhem have not squared off against this season.
Quad City has been cursed with an extremely challenging schedule, having played the top-seeded Peoria Rivermen a league-leading 13 times already. Against Peoria, the Storm have pitched a meager 3-10-0 record. However, they just snapped an eight-game losing skid against the Rivermen last Saturday night, skating to a 4-3 regulation victory in front of a home crowd of 5,000. They just acquired Dean Yakura and Stephen Gaul from Peoria last week, and former Mayhem goaltender Peter Di Salvo has had an impressive slate of games recently. Special teams have been a strength of Quad City, as well, with both the power play and the penalty kill ranking in the top half of the league. While the Storm have not had the smoothest of inaugural seasons, the Mayhem would be remiss to write them off in this tilt.
Clean Bill of Health
The injury bug which has plagued the Mayhem for weeks seems to be on its last legs. Coach Thomas expects Jake Trask and Justin Levac to return to action this weekend. Larry Smith's status remains uncertain, as there was no ice at the Centreplex this week for him to comfortably exercise his legs. However, Thomas is optimistic he will be playing again shortly.
Dakota Klecha's return last weekend made clear how much his presence was missed, as he created multiple scoring chances with his speed, puck control, and net-front skills. With two of Macon's top four scorers hopeful to return to action this weekend, the team is poised to snap out of its dry spell and get back on the winning trail.
College Nights
Only two home games remain for the rest of February. Both of them fall on Thursday nights and are College Nights, presented by Ann Parman Law Firm. General tickets for both of these games are only $10, and $8 with a college ID. College groups interested in attending can also purchase our group outing package for just $10/ticket, which includes free Mayhem baseball caps and an experience upgrade.
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SPHL Stories from February 15, 2019
- Havoc Struggle against Roanoke, Fall 5-3 - Huntsville Havoc
- Morrissey, Howe Lead Bolts to 3-1 Win over Ice Bears - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Rivermen Rushed by Bulls Late, Drop Shootout Friday - Peoria Rivermen
- Storm Shocks Mayhem in Overtime - Macon Mayhem
- Bulls Defeat #1 Ranked Rivermen in a Shoot Out - Birmingham Bulls
- Rail Yard Dawgs Outlast Havoc, 5-3 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (18-16-3) vs Havoc (23-12-2) - 7:05 PM - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Preview: Mayhem at Quad City Storm (Game 39) - Macon Mayhem
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