Preview: Mayhem vs. Birmingham Bulls (Game 44)
February 28, 2019 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Mayhem News Release
Mayhem Momentum Quelled in Huntsville
Picking up two points against the Evansville Thunderbolts one week ago was essential for the Mayhem, who had been on an eight-game winless drought. The hope was that the win would spark a resurgence and propel the Mayhem to a strong weekend at Von Braun Center. While the Mayhem showed flashes of brilliance, they could not collect any points against the defending champions.
The Havoc received copious contributions from their defensemen throughout the series. Pat Condon opened the scoring just 91 seconds into Friday night's tilt, and veteran blue-liner Peter Sikalis earned SPHL Player of the Week honors with a four-goal performance on the weekend. Another team with sharp-shooting defensemen prepares for battle with the Mayhem tonight as Macon prepares for its longest home stretch for the rest of the season.
The Matchup
The Mayhem have matched up well against the Birmingham Bulls this season. They remain the only team in the SPHL the Bulls have not mustered a positive record against. On the campaign, Macon is 2-2-0 against Birmingham, and tonight's game will be the tiebreaker as it is the last time this matchup will take place this season. Last weekend, the Bulls clinched a playoff berth on the back of a six-game winning streak, which was finally snapped by the Knoxville Ice Bears on Saturday.
Earlier this season, Macon and Birmingham jostled for the top spot in the SPHL for months. While that is no longer the case, the hostilities have not ceased as playoff seeding is still very much in hot contention. Birmingham remains hopeful to catch the Peoria Rivermen for the top spot. As for the Mayhem, they have three opponents just a handful of points behind them, breathing down their neck in an effort to secure the highly coveted fourth seed, which ensures home-ice advantage for the first round of the postseason.
Koepplinger Joins the Mix
This week the Mayhem made a splash by bringing aboard forward Josh Koepplinger from Lawrence University. The Senior Captain led the Vikings in every offensive category with 24 points (10G, 14A, 34 PIMs) in 25 games played, and has been an incredibly durable player all throughout his college career. In four seasons, the Saginaw, MI native has only missed one game, playing in 102 out of a possible 103 tilts. Koepplinger (6'2, 200) is known for his heavy shot, ranking fourth all-time in Lawrence history in goals with 47 over his four-year career. Since his arrival in Macon, he has practiced on the left wing with multiple lines throughout the week in practice, and is expected to make his professional debut tonight sporting the #28.
Upcoming Home Games
Tonight's game will be College Night, presented by Ann Parman Law Firm. General tickets 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.
The Mayhem will host the Fayetteville Marksmen on Friday and Saturday. Friday will be Princess Night and Saturday will be Pucks N Paws Night. Click here to register your wiener dog for the races!
SPHL Stories from February 28, 2019
- Koepplinger Scores in Pro Debut as Mayhem Fall at Home - Macon Mayhem
- Rawlk's Goal, Assist Lead Bolts to Point in OT Loss - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Bulls Take Care of Business in Macon - Birmingham Bulls
- Preview: Mayhem vs. Birmingham Bulls (Game 44) - Macon Mayhem
- Alex Adams Returned from ECHL Brampton - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Wanda Amos Community Service Award Nominations Now Open - SPHL
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