Strong 3rd Pushes Ice Bears to 3-2 Win
Published on February 16, 2024 under SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release
Brett Mecrones scored with 3:53 left in the 3rd and the Knoxville Ice Bears defeated the Macon Mayhem 3-2 Friday night at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.
Derek Osik scored in Knoxville's win over Macon Friday. PHOTO: Michael King.
The Ice Bears have won four of their last five games. Macon has dropped four straight.
Knoxville took the lead for good when Riley Robertson carried the puck up the left wing and made a centering pass to Dawson McKinney. McKinney's shot was deflected to the backdoor and Mecrones put the loose puck on net for his 18th of the season.
Justin Cmunt scored the only goal of the first period on the power play with a wrist shot from the high slot. He collected the puck in his own end, exchanged a quick give-and-go with Jake Goldowski and carried into the zone where his shot got by Zane Steeves' blocker at 7:25.
Knoxville had chances to tie the game before the break, but Jimmy Poreda stopped Mecrones from the left circle and blocked Rex Moe's attempt from in front of the crease. Mecrones missed an opportunity from the right side and McKinney finessed his way to the crease before his backhand sailed wide.
The Ice Bears tied the game early in the second when Derek Osik got the puck through a screen and found the net. Brandon Picard poked the puck free in the Macon zone and Osik took it across the high slot. Sam Dabrowski screened Poreda and Osik's shot had eyes for his sixth goal of the season.
Macon nearly retook the lead before the second intermission, but Billy Jerry's snapshot from the right circle hit the short-side post. Justin Levac and Dabrowski each had breakaway chances for Knoxville, but were each denied by Poreda.
Levac scored early in the third to give the Ice Bears their first lead of the game. Picard's shot from the right circle was blocked and the puck came right to Levac's stick. Levac slid a backhand that beat Poreda five-hole at 2:09.
Cmunt tied the game on the power play with a slap shot from the right circle at 10:24.
Dan Winslow was called for roughing with less than two minutes remaining and the Mayhem never threatened while shorthanded. Steeves and Poreda finished with 23 saves each.
The two teams will square off for the final time this regular season at the Civic Coliseum on Saturday night.
SPHL Stories from February 16, 2024
- Garrett Milan Ties Franchise Goal Mark, But Ice Flyers Drop Weekend Opener to Quad City - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Latinovich Shines In 1-0 Victory Over Fayetteville - Peoria Rivermen
- ThunderBolts Defeated 7-0 at Roanoke - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Cmunt Grabs A Pair But Macon Edged Out By Knoxville - Macon Mayhem
- Strong 3rd Pushes Ice Bears to 3-2 Win - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Dawgs Destroy Evansville in 7-0 Home Win - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Dawgs Destroy Evansville in 7-0 Home Win - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Game Preview: February 16 vs. Quad City - Pensacola Ice Flyers
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