SPHL Macon Mayhem

Rail Yard Dawgs Outlast Mayhem in Roanoke

December 29, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Mayhem News Release


Hoping to close out 2018 on a high note, the Mayhem could not overcome an early deficit and fell by a 3-2 final in Roanoke.

All week long, the Mayhem have struggled at the starts of games. They went down 2-0 on Wednesday night before mounting a third period comeback, they allowed 12 of the first 13 shots of the game on Friday, and things did not get any better for them in the first period on Saturday night.

Steve Mele netted his fifth goal of the season just 3:53 into the game with a wrist shot from the high slot. Then, on a Macon power play, Zach Niemenen scored on a similar play with a fairly routine shot after a zone entry. The shorthanded goal gave Roanoke a quick 2-0 lead, and resulted in goaltender Ian Sylves being pulled and replaced by Henry Dill after allowing two goals on five shots.

With just 12.1 seconds remaining, Zach Urban spotted Jake Trask open on the left side of the net on a Mayhem power play. Trask tapped in his team-leading 13th goal of the season, cutting Macon's deficit in half heading into the first intermission.

Caleb Cameron had the Mayhem's best scoring chance of the second period, being fed a nice backhand pass by Stathis Soumelidis on another man-advantage. Cameron's snapshot from the left circle, however, was handled by Roanoke net-minder Jacob Caffrey.

Near the end of the period, Travis Armstrong ripped a wrist shot from the deep slot on a Roanoke power play. The puck sifted through the net-front traffic and past Dill, giving Roanoke a 3-1 insurance lead.

Seven minutes into period three, Nick Minerva sliced through the Roanoke zone and carried the puck into the left corner. He shoveled a pass right into the wheelhouse of Derek Sutliffe, who smashed it past Caffrey from the slot to draw Macon back to within striking distance.

Armstrong and Cameron were each given offsetting roughing minors in the final four minutes of play. However, the ensuing 4-on-4 did not result in a goal from either side. Roanoke fought off a final push by the Mayhem and held on for a 3-2 final.

Caffrey earned his sixth win of the season, stopping 24 of 26 Macon shots. Dill was charged with his first defeat with the Mayhem, stopping 10 of 11 in relief. The Mayhem will start out 2019 with a home tilt against the Rail Yard Dawgs on Back to School Night on Friday, January 4th. Puck drop is set for 7:05 pm ET.

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SPHL Stories from December 29, 2018


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