SPHL Fayetteville Marksmen

Shorthanded FireAntz gain two points

Published on February 27, 2006 under SPHL (SPHL)
Fayetteville Marksmen News Release


[FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] - The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), who were injured and suspended, leaving them with just 11 skaters on Thursday and 12 on Friday, earned a point each night after taking both games to a shootout.

Thursday, February 23rd (at Huntsville): The FireAntz traveled to Huntsville to take on the Havoc, who they had not defeated since December 9th. The FireAntz went into the game 2-4-0 against the Havoc for the season. The FireAntz were missing forwards Kory Baker, Troy Linna, Tyler Perry, Jeff Coulter, Nick Kormanyos, Scott Zwiers, and defenseman Mark Phenow for the contest.

After spotting 1st period goals to Craig Bushey and Mike O'Sullivan the FireAntz answered in the second period at the 18:29 mark of the 2nd period on a slapshot from the point by captain, Mike Fournier, his third of the year.

The FireAntz, with a powerplay and an extra-attacker, got the puck to Dean Jackson after winning the faceoff, and he one-timed it home for the tying goal at 19:15 of the 3rd period. It was Jackson's team-leading 25th goal of the year.

After a scoreless overtime frame, the two teams went to a shootout where Bill Monkman and Bushey scored and the FireAntz did not. Huntsville won 2-0 in the shootout, and earned a 3-2 victory.

Huntsville outshot the FireAntz 40-38.

FireAntz 26-16-5 on the season. (2-4-1 vs. Huntsville)

Friday February 24th (vs. Florida): The FireAntz came home to host the Florida Seals, who they had a 4-3-1 record against, coming into the game.

Both goaltenders, Chad Collins of the FireAntz and Terry Denike of the Seals, sparkled in this matchup, holding the teams scoreless through the first two periods. There was a combined 54 shots through two, all turned aside by magnificent goaltending.

In the 3rd period, George Nistas got free on a great pass by Nick Kormanyos and tallied the first of the game just 25 seconds into the period. It was Nistas' 25th goal, tying him with Dean Jackson for the team lead. Andrew Katzberg tied the score at 5:21, banging a rebound past Collins. The score would remain tied at one a piece.

After a scoreless overtime, the teams went to a shootout, the second in two nights for the FireAntz. David Deeves, the third shooter for the Seals beat Collins but Dean Jackson answered right back for the FireAntz, their first shootout goal of the season. After each teams' fourth shooter failed, it was down to one shooter a side. John Gurskis tallied for the Seals and B.J. Stephens beat Denike with a nice move to the backhand to tie it. Justin Keller, ended the drama quickly, beating Collins while Scott Corbett failed to send it to an extra shooter. Florida won the shootout 3-2, and the game 2-1.

Collins turned aside 55 of 56 shots in earning first-star of the game honors.

3 Stars of the Weekend:

Chad Collins: Saved 93 of 96 shots, .969 sv. pct., 1.50 GAA

Dean Jackson: 2G, 1A, 1 shootout goal

George Nistas: 1G, 1A

Recent Notes:

2/23 F Jeff Coulter Day to Day (undisclosed injury)

2/24 F Jasen Rintala signed to contract

2/24 D Mark Phenow returned from 1-game suspension

2/24 D Gavin Hodgson Day to Day (undisclosed injury)

2/24 D/F Mike Fournier served first of 2-game suspension (second to be 3/4 game vs. Pee Dee)

2/27 F Troy Linna to return from IR on 3/4

Noteworthy:

The FireAntz remain two points behind Columbus for 2nd place and only five points separate 2nd from 5th in the SPHL.

Dean Jackson and George Nistas are tied for the team lead in goals with 25.

Nistas has been named the 1st Star of the Game four times this season, most on the team.

Upcoming:

The FireAntz only have three regular season home games left this season. The next is Beach Night with the FireAntz on Saturday, March 4th at 7:35 pm. The game is brought to you by Nelson and Nelson Chiropractic, Builders Firstsource, The Crown Coliseum, Majka Law Offices, Miami Subs, Boose Law Offices, The Fayetteville Observer, and WKML. Great seats remain, but are going fast. Call the FireAntz office for more information (910) 321-0123.

Check out the Fayetteville Marksmen Statistics

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