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The calm before the storm

February 17, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


RECORD TO DATE: 16-16-5 (37 points) 5th place in WHA2

THIS WEEK:

FRI Feb. 20 TRAX @ Jacksonville 7:05 p.m. Veterans Memorial Arena

The Trax visit the first place Barracudas for the start of a three game in three night stretch. The Trax will be well rested coming into the contest. While the host ‘Cudas have to play a midweek game the Trax will have had eight days off. The Trax have yet to win in Jacksonville's new home.

Season Series: Jacksonville leads 7-2 (Most recent: 3-2 loss, Jan. 24 @ JAX)

SAT Feb. 21 TRAX @ Alabama 7:05 p.m.(CST) Pelham Civic Complex

Amazingly, this will be the final trip into Alabama for the Trax. Unfortunately for the fans in Pelham, they will not get to see the best rivalry in the WHA2 up close until at least the playoffs. The two bitter rivals still have two games remaining in Macon.

Season Series: Alabama leads 6-3-1 (Most recent: 5-3 loss, Feb. 12 @ ALA)

SUN Feb. 22 TRAX @ Orlando 4:05 p.m. TD Waterhouse Centre

The Trax will finish a busy weekend versus the defending champs. The Seals are expected to bring a different look to the ice. Goalies David Goverde and Mike Correia are both on injured reserve. Recently the Seals have been rotating substitute goalies in their absences.

Season Series: Alabama leads 6-3-1 (Most recent: 5-3 loss, Feb. 12 @ ALA)

LAST WEEK:

THU Feb. 12 TRAX @ Alabama (5-3 loss) 7:05 p.m. (CST)Pelham Civic Complex

The Trax fell behind in the first period and battled back to gain a two goal lead in the third period. The only problem was Alabama scored four goals of their own in the final frame en route to a 5-3 victory.

For the third time in a week, the Trax and Slammers battled in Alabama. The Trax won the first meeting, but the Slammers have stormed back to win the last two and take a six point lead over the Trax in the WHA2 standings.

Jason Renard returned to the ice after over a month long suspension. He opened up the scoring 9:53 into the game on a power play goal.

The Trax tied the game up with the lone goal of the second period. Art Mnatsakanov found the back of the net 4:02 into the middle frame on a picture perfect play.

Benoit Cotnoir took the David Deeves won draw and found Mnatsakanov streaking on the opposite side of the ice. Cotnoir's pass was tape to tape as Mnatsakanov had the easy finish.

The Trax took their first lead of the game just 32 seconds into the third period. John Gurskis took a pass from Luke Murphy and scored the power play goal. Six minutes later Andrew Dickson scored his second goal of the season to give the Trax what appeared to be a big lead.

The two goal lead seemed to wake the home team up. Justin Schabes, who just signed today, and Hugo Belanger scored four minutes apart to tie the game at three.

Alabama's Belanger took the shot from between the circles that Trax goalie Geoff Faulkner made the initial save on. The puck caromed right to the stick of Jorin Welsh who put the rebound into the back of the net. For good measure Ryan Prentice added an empty net goal late in the game to seal the Slammers' victory

TRAX TIDBITS:

· "CHUGGIN' WITH THE TRAX" will be Monday, Feb. 16, 23 at the Applebee's on Russell Parkway in Warner Robins. Come by between 6-7pm as Adam Minnick will be joined by Head Coach Tommy Stewart and various Trax players.

· FEB. 29—"WILLIE NIGHT"—Free Parking and discounted tickets for all Willie Nelson Ticket

Holders.

If your name is Willie, William, Bill, Williams, etc.—FREE TICKET!

· FEB. 29—"NASCAR NIGHT"—All NASCAR fans will have a chance to win tickets for the RICHARD PETTY DRIVING EXPERIENCE and other great Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift Packs. Also, the Atlanta Motor Speedway Pace Car will be on hand.

· FEB. 29—"LEAP BABY BASH"—If you have a birthday on Feb. 29, just show your ID for a free ticket.

· GAME DATE AND TIME CHANGES:

Road Games:

Feb. 13 game @ Lakeland will now be on Sunday, Mar. 7 at 4:05 pm.

Feb. 15 game @ Miami has been changed to Saturday, Mar. 8 at 7:35 pm.

HOME GAMES:

Sunday, Feb. 29 has been changed to a 3:05 pm start time against Alabama.

Saturday Mar. 27 has been changed to a 6:05 pm start time against Orlando.

· MAR. 18—The second and final "SEASON TICKET REDEMPTION NIGHT"—Any unused tickets can be exchanged for a ticket to the Mar. 18 game versus Orlando.

TEAM APPEARANCES:

Tuesday—Feb. 17, Ingles in Gray, 5-7pm.

TEAM NOTES:

Macon is second in the WHA2 averaging 3.86 goals per game. The Trax continue to lead the WHA2 with an 85.2% success rate on the penalty kill. The Trax have scored more than anybody in the second period with 56 goals.

STANDOUTS:

STEVE ZORYK is second in the WHA2 with 10 power play goals. RYAN RIVARD has scored 5 game winning goals, second best in the league. DAVID DEEVES has 16 points (7G, 9A) in his last 10 games.

TRAX PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

· JOHN GURSKIS—Gurskis was the only Trax player to have multiple points versus Alabama last week. The Trax Player/Assistant Coach scored a goal and an assist in the 5-3 loss to the Slammers in Pelham.



SPHL Stories from February 17, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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