Trax Come Home for Mixed Results

November 24, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


THIS WEEK:

FRI Nov. 28 Orlando @ TRAX 7:35 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The champs come back to Macon for the first time this season. Orlando will swim into town Friday to finish the Trax three game home stand. The Seals are tied with the Trax for second place in the WHA2 heading into the week. The Orlando Seals have only lost two games since March 14 of last season. Ironically, the Trax have handed the seals those two defeats.

Season Series: Macon leads 1-0 (6-2 in ORL Nov. 16)

SAT Nov. 29 Trax @ JACKSONVILLE 12:35 p.m. Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Six days after the Barracudas ruined the Trax opening weekend, the Trax will try to do the same to the Barracudas. Jacksonville will be hosting only their second game in their brand new home. Last season Macon dominated Jacksonville throughout the season, but this year the Barracudas have shown they're a whole different team

Season Series: Jacksonville leads 1-0 (4-3 in MAC Nov. 23)

LAST WEEK:

SAT Nov. 22 Alabama @ TRAX (8-7 SO WIN) 7:35 p.m. Macon Centreplex

Nobody could have asked for a better home opener for the Macon Trax. After nearly seven months of darkness at the Centreplex, the Trax won 8-7 in a shootout.

In the Heart of Georgia, the weak hearted would have had problems tonight. Jeff Antonovich tied the game up with only 26-seconds remaining in regulation.

The two teams battled in a fast paced three-on-three, five minute overtime. Steve Zoryk appeared to have found the back of the net with 44.9 seconds remaining in overtime. Zoryk skated into the zone and ripped a shot from the slot.

The puck appeared to slide past Alabama's Jamie Ronayne, came out a hole in the net and gave the Trax a game winner. Referee Mike Galloway went over to talk to the goal judge about the apparent game winner. After a brief conversation the goal was waved off and play continued.

In the shootout more controversy occurred. The Slammers Doug Lawrence scored in the first round of the shootout. The Trax went scoreless in three attempts and the game was thought to be over.

Galloway ruled the shootout would go five rounds. Goalie Geoff Faulkner stood tall in the fourth and fifth rounds. Jeff Antonovich hopped over the boards for the Trax fifth shot and buried the tying tally.

In the extra frame, Bobby Quinnell made a great deke to force Faulkner to the ice. Somehow Faulkner was able to reach back with his stick to stop the shot from going in. After that, the 2,485 fans in attendance were on their feet to get behind Craig Miller.

Miller got the puck and methodically worked his way towards the net. After he got near the crease the 5'11", 190-pounder scored the game winner.

SUN Nov. 23 Jacksonville @ TRAX (4-3 loss) 4:05 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The Macon Trax suffered their first defeat on home ice this season. The Jacksonville Barracudas came to town and won 4-3 behind a two goal performance from Jamie Miller.

Miller opened up the scoring at 9:40 into the contest on a feed from newcomer Derek Toninato. The Barracudas were still hungry in the first period as they added a second goal at the 12:56 mark by former Macon skater Klage Kaebel.

The Trax came out firing on all cylinders in the second period. David Deeves netted his team leading fourth goal and ninth point of the season. Less than four minutes later defenseman Steve Howard tied the game up with a beautiful rebound shot.

The lead was short lived for the Boys in Black. John McCabe gave the Barracudas the lead for good, as he scored for the first time this season.

The third period seemed to be quiet. Miller added his second goal of the game, third of the season, once again on an assist from Kaebel.

The Trax attempted to come back from a two goal deficit for the second time in the game. Coach Tommy Stewart pulled goaltender Andy Kollar to gain the extra attacker. With 23 seconds to go, Luke Murphy cut the lead in half and brought the crowd to their feet.

The Trax had a few chances in the final seconds, but could not get it past Barracuda goalie Brandon Snee

TRAX TIDBITS:

· Saturday's shootout was the first in WHA2 history.

· The Trax finish a three game home stand Friday against the Seals. Puck drops at 7:35 pm

· IRN.FM has announced all Trax broadcasts will be free for the next few weeks.

· Note the special start time on Saturday versus the Jacksonville Barracudas (12:35 pm)

· Sumo wrestling signup must be done at Gold's Gym of Macon. Stop by Gold's Gym for your chance to be involved in the best intermission game in Central Georgia.

TEAM NOTES:

Macon leads the league with 28 goals, 43 assists and 183 shots.

The Trax are the most disciplined team in the league, averaging only 25.8 penalty minutes a game.

The 59 Trax shots in Saturday's game established a new WHA2 record for shots by one team in a game.

STANDOUTS:

DAVID DEEVES has scored a goal in each of the last three games.

STEVE ZORYK, EDAN WELCH, and LUKE MURPHY are fourth in the league with six assists each.

ANDREW KATZBERG continues to lead the league in major penalties with five in five games.

The Trax own the plus/minus leader board. The top three spots in the WHA2 are STEVE ZORYK (+9), LUKE MURPHY (+6) and BENOIT COTNOIR (+5).

ANDY KOLLAR is second in the league with a 3.73 goals against average.

TRAX PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

DAVID DEEVES—DEEVES continued to have a hot hand to begin the 2003-2004 season. In two games this weekend the center had five points (2G, 3A) and a +2 rating. Currently the Ontario native is second in the league with 10 points and fourth in the league with six assists.



SPHL Stories from November 24, 2003


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.

OurSports Central