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Special week for special teams

March 22, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


RECORD TO DATE: 26-19-6, .569 4th place in WHA2

THIS WEEK:

FRI Mar. 26 Alabama @ TRAX 7:35 p.m. Macon Centreplex

**BOEING AIR FORCE APPRECIATION NIGHT—CALL FOR FREE TICKET SPECIALS**

Here we go for the final time this season. The WHA2's best rivalry will have its final installment of the regular season. The Trax look to fly high on "Boeing Air Force Appreciation Night" against their opponents from the North. Macon and Alabama have literally fought and battled throughout the season. In the previous 13 meetings all but one game have been decided by two goals or less.

Season Series: Alabama leads 7-5-1 (Most recent: 4-2 WIN, Mar. 14 @ MAC)

SAT Mar. 27 Orlando @ TRAX **6:05 p.m.** Macon Centreplex

**BLADE SPORTSWEAR CHEERSTIX NIGHT**

Take a break from all the Cherry Blossom Festival fun and enjoy a night of hockey. The Trax have moved the game time up so the fans can come to see hockey then go enjoy the Saturday Night Street Party. The first 2,500 fans who enter the building will receive free pink cheerstix compliments of Blade Sportswear. The Trax battle the Seals in what will be a difference maker in the playoff race. The Seals, Manatees and Trax are battling for the final two playoff spots in the WHA2.

Season Series: Macon leads 5-4-1 (Most recent: 2-1 loss, Mar. 18 @ MAC)

LAST WEEK:

THU Mar. 18 Orlando @ TRAX (2-1 loss) 7:35 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The Macon Trax six game win streak comes to an end as the Orlando Seals win 2-1 in Macon. The win was a big one for the Seals as it moves them into fourth place and final playoff spot in the WHA2.

The night looked bright early for the Trax as Steve Zoryk scored the first goal of the night only 1:14 into the game. The assists went to Luke Murphy and Andrew Dickson.

Near the end of the period Orlando's Mike Sanderson tied the game up. The teams would skate to the locker rooms tied after 20 minutes.

Scoreless was the theme of the middle period as both teams seemed to be struggling to get the puck anywhere near the net. Things got physical much to the delight of the fans at the Centreplex. Nobody dropped the gloves but instead of goals, big hits were dished out by both teams.

B.J. Stephens of the Seals scored the winning goal at the 9:11 mark of the third period. This would be the final time either one of the lamps would be lit for the evening.

SUN Mar. 21 TRAX @ Lakeland (6-2 WIN) 4:05 p.m. Lakeland Center

The Trax went into Lakeland looking at the game as a must win. The Trax continue to battle Miami and Orlando for the final two playoff spots in the WHA2.

Macon looked sluggish in the beginning, but were able to pull out a solid 6-2 victory on the road. The win gave the Trax a 4-0-1 record at the Lakeland Center this season.

Very early on the Trax looked like they were due for a big game. Luke Murphy scored his 13th goal of the season to give the Trax the lead just under four minutes into the game on the power play. David Deeves and Steve Zoryk were credited with the assists; both would go on to have big nights.

Lakeland stormed back, as they usually do, to tie the game and take the lead before the first intermission. Rob Schweyer scored the Loggerheads first goal at the 6:35 mark with assists going to Jeff Glowa and former Trax Bobby Clouston. Just 54 seconds later Joe Seroski put the home team up by a goal with his 20th of the season.

The second period started out like a lamb but ended like a lion. Macon turned on the burners very late in the third period when David Deeves scored his first of two goals on the night. The power play goal tied the game with less than five minutes remaining in the second period.

The Trax were called for a questionable penalty late in the second period, but they did not let that bother them. Macon cleared the puck down the ice and Loggerhead goalie Carl Possiant attempted to clear his own zone. John Gurskis stepped in the way of the puck and found Craig Miller on the door step at the 19:40 mark. The shorthanded goal gave Miller 21 goals on the season and the Trax the lead after 40 minutes.

The third period went very much like the second, not much action until very late. The Trax killed off another couple of Lakeland power plays to maintain the one goal edge. With just over two minutes to go, the Trax put the game out of reach.

Zoryk took a Deeves pass and buried it for his 30th goal of the season. The insurance goal at the 17:56 mark was the only even strength goal the Trax scored all night.

Miller and Zoryk added empty net shorthanded goals in the final minutes to ice the Trax victory. The Trax special teams were solid all night. Macon converted both power play chances and they stopped all six chances Lakeland had, including adding three shorthanded goals. TRAX TIDBITS:

· "CHUGGIN' WITH THE TRAX" will be CHANGED this week due to the Jr. Trax Kidz Club Party. The show will be WEDNESDAY Mar. 24 from 6-7pm at the Tom Hill Sr. Applebee's.

· Mar. 23—JR. TRAX KIDZ CLUB PARTY—All Kidz Club members are invited to Starcadia from 5:30-7 pm for their private party. Call the Trax at 742-4849 to R.S.V.P.

· Mar. 26—"BOEING/RAFB AIR FORCE NIGHT"—Boeing and the Macon Trax are teaming up to honor all members of the United States Air Force. The Trax are offering tickets for only $5 for all Air Force members.

· Mar. 27—"BLADE SPORTSWEAR CHEERSTIX NIGHT"—The first 2,500 fans that attend the game will get a set of Pink Blade Cheerstix in honor of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

· Apr. 3—"FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT"—The Macon Trax will welcome all fans who have helped them continue to be a success in the Heart of Georgia. Tickets are only $6 ANYWHERE in the Centreplex. That includes glass and lower level seats.

TEAM APPEARANCES:

Tuesday—Jr. Trax Kidz Club Party—Starcadia, 5:30-7:00PM—FULL TEAM Wednesday—EAGLE 92.3FM, 3PM Thursday—Sky View Elementary, 2PM—David Deeves Thursday—Skate with Springdale Elementary—Centreplex, 4-5:30PM—FULL TEAM

TEAM NOTES:

Macon will finish the season with 56 games, Orlando 57 games and Miami 48. The Trax have swept through Central Florida (Lakeland, Orlando) with a 9-0-1 record. The Trax have one more trip to Orlando the final day of the regular season. Macon has registered at least a point in 9 of their last 10 games. The Trax are the best road team in the WHA2 with a 12-9-4 mark.

STANDOUTS:

DAVID DEEVES is second in the league with 32 goals and is fourth in points with 73. STEVE ZORYK is third in WHA2 goals with 31. RYAN RIVARD is tied for the WHA2 lead with six game winning goals. Rising his way to the second best GAA is Andy Kollar with a 3.09 mark.

TRAX PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

· STEVE ZORYK—Zoryk had a big week in the Trax two games. He scored the lone Trax goal in the loss Thursday night. Sunday in Lakeland the Ontario native found the back of the net twice and assisted on two other Macon goals. In two games the forward had three goals (one shorthanded), two assists, a +2 rating and 12 shots.



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