Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (16-15-0) at Bulls (20-9-2) - 7:30 PM CST
Published on January 25, 2019 under SPHL (SPHL)
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs News Release
ROANOKE RAIL YARD DAWGS (16-15-0), 7th SPHL, 32 Pts
BIRMINGHAM BULLS (20-9-2), 3rd SPHL, 42 Pts
Friday - 7:30 PM CST
Pelham Civic Complex - Pelham, AL
Haley Toyota Broadcast: SPHL Live | Mixlr
Referee: Scott McClement| Linesmen: Ryan Duncan, Chase Wilkinson
LAST TIME OUT: The Rail Yard Dawgs raced out to a 3-0 lead in the second period and despite allowing Knoxville to score twice and bring themselves within one, Roanoke held on for a 3-2 win over the Ice Bears, Monday afternoon at Berglund Center. Mac Jansen, Ben Bauer and Cody Dion each scored and Zach Nieminen had two assists in the win. Brad Barone made 32 saves on 34 shots in the Roanoke net.
BIRMINGHAM COOLING: The Bulls were the hottest team in the SPHL at the outset of the season- they won 11 consecutive games to start the year. Birmingham's streak is the longest winning streak in the league this season and set an SPHL record for most consecutive wins to open a season. It's been a different story as of late however as the Bulls have just one win in their last six games. They have gone 1-3-2 in those six games and the lone win was a 3-0 decision over Macon on January 12. Goaltender Mavric Parks stole the show in that game with a 47-save shutout.
THE GOALIE SITUATION: Following the return of Brad Barone from the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers last week, the Dawgs were carrying three goaltenders on their active roster. That changed on Tuesday as Tanner Creel was traded to the Macon Mayhem in exchange for future considerations. Creel had been scratched for two straight games with Jacob Caffrey dressing as Barone's backup. Creel was 7-9-0 with a .903 SV% and 3.06 GAA with Roanoke. The Dawgs have completed their regular season schedule with the Mayhem so the only time they could face their former goaltender would be in the postseason.
MORE ROSTER CHANGES: The Rail Yard Dawgs signed forwards Cal Miska and Everett Thompson, placed forward Eric Witzel on injured reserve and waived forward Roberts Locans this week. Miska opened the year with the Dawgs and played three games before being released and joining the FHL's Elmira Enforcers. He had six goals and 11 assists in 21 games for Elmira. Thompson had been in the FHL with the Carolina Thunderbirds and had nine goals and seven assists. He was also 7th in the FHL with 75 penalty minutes at the time of signing.
GET YOU A PLAYER WHO DOES BOTH: Cody Dion has gotten in a fight in each of his last two games and leads the team with six fighting majors. He is also the SPHL's leader in penalty minutes with 99. Dion contributes with more than physicality however; he scored in the last two games, is third on the team in points (21) and paces the Dawgs with 13 goals.
STEADY AS HE GOES: Jordan Carvalho's assist on Monday pushed his team-leading point total to 26. In 31 games he has surpassed the 25 points (6 G, 19 A) he put up in 50 games between the Peoria Rivermen and Mississippi RiverKings last season.
UP NEXT: The Rail Yard Dawgs and Bulls will finish out the weekend set on Saturday night. Puck drop at the Pelham Civic Complex is scheduled for 7:00 PM CST.
SPHL Stories from January 25, 2019
- Dawgs Fall to Bulls in Overtime, 4-3 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Bulls Defeat Roanoke in Overtime - Birmingham Bulls
- Marksmen Squeeze by ThunderBolts in a 2-1 Finish - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Preview: Mayhem vs. Huntsville Havoc (Game 32) - Macon Mayhem
- Rail Yard Dawgs Game Notes: Rail Yard Dawgs (16-15-0) at Bulls (20-9-2) - 7:30 PM CST - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Thunderbolts Visit Marksmen for Three-Game Set - Evansville Thunderbolts
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