Third Period Collapse Dooms Ice Bears in Roanoke

Published on January 6, 2024 under SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release

Knoxville Ice Bears' Davis Kirkendall in Roanoke
(Knoxville Ice Bears)

The Ice Bears are 0-6-2 in their last eight. Roanoke has won four straight games.

Davis Kirkendall provided the only goal of the first period when he finished a lengthy net-front scramble by the Roanoke net. His initial shot was stopped by Austyn Roudebush. Kirkendall got the rebound back to the right circle for Derek Osik, who fed it to Dawson McKinney on the right side of the crease. McKinney's attempt deflected into the slot and Osik put the puck back on net and Kirkendall ultimately found the twine for his third of the season at 6:42.

Neither team could change the score in the second period. The Ice Bears killed off three Roanoke power plays in the period and Roudebush stopped a Brady Fleurent breakaway chance at the other end.

With the teams beginning the third period skating four-on-four, Knoxville went shorthanded when Tyler Rollo was given a roughing minor for shoving Xavier Filion before a face-off. Moments later Cole McKechney was given a kneeing minor while attempting a hip check on Dominiks Marcinkevics.

Roanoke capitalized on both power plays, scoring two goals 35 seconds apart by Nick Ford and Matt O'Dea to take a 2-1 lead. Marcinkeviks added a third on the man-advantage when Josh Nenadal fed him the puck on the backdoor. Filion made it 4-1 with less than five minutes remaining with a shot from the slot.

Rex Moe redirected a shot by Rollo from in front on the power play with a minute remaining to cap off the scoring. Marco Costantini made 36 saves for Knoxville. Roudebush stopped 23 shots for the Rail Yard Dawgs.

The two teams return to Knoxville for a Sunday night tilt to close out the weekend at the Civic Coliseum.

Knoxville Ice Bears' Davis Kirkendall in Roanoke

SPHL Stories from January 6, 2024

• Rivermen Comeback Falls Short in Shootout, 5-4 to Havoc - Peoria Rivermen
• Thunderbolts Sweep Quad City, Move Into 7th Place - Evansville Thunderbolts
• Dawgs Rally Late For 4-2 Home Win Over Ice Bears - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
• Third Period Collapse Dooms Ice Bears in Roanoke - Knoxville Ice Bears
• Macon Come Up Just Short In Back-And-Forth Affair - Macon Mayhem
• Marksmen Score Three in Third, Beat Ice Bears 4-1 - Fayetteville Marksmen
• Marksmen Sign Jestin Somero, Mathieu Boislard - Fayetteville Marksmen
• Brendon Michaelian Called up to Toledo Walleye - Fayetteville Marksmen

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