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RiverHawks Exterminate the FireAntz 5-1

December 30, 2011 - SPHL (SPHL)
Augusta RiverHawks News Release


The Augusta RiverHawks ended a rare three-game losing streak in fine fashion Friday night at the James Brown Arena by defeating the Fayetteville FireAntz 5-1. RiverHawks' net minder Jon Olthuis was the star for the RiverHawks making 26 saves for his seventh win of the season.

It was the first time since January of last season that the RiverHawks had strung together three straight losses, all of which came on the road. The key to the victory for the RiverHawks aside from Olthuis' effort were the special teams, as the first three RiverHawks' goals came on the power play, and the denied all of the FireAntz' chances with the man advantage.

It looked like the RiverHawks might be lining up four losses in a row early in the game when the FireAntz got on the board first. Just over five minutes into the game FireAnt defenseman Terry Watt fired a shot that was blocked before it got to Olthuis, but it went straight onto the stick of Josh McQuade, who fired it into the back of the net.

A sloppy first period continued on for just over five minutes before the RiverHawks knotted the score. Jesse Echternach fired a shot from the point that was initially stopped by FireAntz' goaltender Mike Brown, but the rebound sat near the crease for too long. SPHL leading goal scorer Jim Gehring pounced on the loose puck and fired in his 24th goal of the season.

The second period was one of the more entertaining stanzas of hockey that has been played at the James Brown Arena this season, but it ended with neither team being able to beat the opposing goaltender.

With the scored tied at one goal a piece, the RiverHawks would open the flood gates in the third period. Just over two minutes in forward Justin MacDonald would skate off of the side-boards with the puck and fire a snapshot past Brown for his first goal since joining the RiverHawks five games ago. That goal would prove to be the game winning goal.

The game stayed tight for twelve more minutes before the RiverHawks would take complete control. Aaron McGill would pot two more goals in the remaining minutes and Tyler Fernandez scored his first since joining the team to complete the scoring.

The RiverHawks are back in action on Phoenix Refrigeration Ice at the James Brown Arena Saturday, December 31st as they play the Columbus Cottonmouths. The puck drops at a special time of 4:35pm. Tickets for the game are available through the RiverHawks' office and the James Brown Arena box office. Additional information on the Team, tickets, and schedule are available on the RiverHawks' home on the web, www.augustariverhawks.com or by calling 706-993-2645.



SPHL Stories from December 30, 2011


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