RiverHawks Finally Defeat Ice Bears

Published on February 19, 2012 under SPHL (SPHL)
Augusta RiverHawks News Release


It has been a long time coming, but the Augusta RiverHawks were finally able to best the Knoxville Ice Bears Sunday afternoon as they defeated the Ice Bears 6-5 in one of the most exciting hockey games the James Brown Arena has seen. The game had all the atmosphere of a heavyweight title fight, as a crowd of over 3,000 sat on the edge of their seats as the two teams traded blows. Ultimately it was Brendan Taylor who brought the crowd to their feet with the third goal of his hat-trick evening with less than three minutes remaining in the game to give the RiverHawks the advantage and the eventually victory.

The game marks the first time this season that the first-place RiverHawks have been able to defeat the Ice Bears. The two teams played five games prior to this one, and the Ice Bears had won all of the contests, most of which were in a lop-sided fashion.

Taylor's three goals highlighted a big night for his line, which included three assists from both Captain Matt Auffrey and linemate Branden Kosolofsky.

The RiverHawks got off to a fantastic start as they scored three goals in the first period. Two of Taylor's goals sandwiched Egor Mironov's ninth of the season, putting the Ice Bears into a hole early.

However, in the second period the Ice Bears would roar back into the game, scoring three unanswered goals. Emery Olauson, David Segal, and Dan Bremner each tallied goals all within ten minutes of each other, while Berkely Scott picked up two assists in the surge back for the Ice Bears. The Ice Bears appeared to capture the momentum, but just 40 seconds after Bremner scored to tie the game, SPHL leading goal scorer Jim Gehring snuck a puck past Ice Bears' goaltender Matt Hache to regain the lead for Augusta.

The Ice Bears were not done yet, as they once again tied the game when Olauson scored his second goal of the night just seconds into the final period. Things got worse for the RiverHawks when Segal scored his second a few minutes later to give the Ice Bears their first lead of the game. The RiverHawks would simply not give in on this night, as three minutes later Neil Graham stepped out of the penalty box and slipped a shot past Hache to tie. That set the stage for Taylor's game winning goal later in the period, and RiverHawks' net-minder Peter Skoggard was able to shut the door to ensure the victory.

The RiverHawks are back in action on Phoenix Refrigeration Ice at the James Brown Arena Thursday, March 1st, as they play the Fayetteville FireAntz. The puck drops at 7:35pm. 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.

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