Trax derail champs, open home schedule this weekend

November 19, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


THIS WEEK:

SAT Nov. 22 Alabama @ TRAX 7:35 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The Trax will finally see home ice after seven months. For the first time in WHA2 history, the Macon Trax will wear their black home jerseys. The team who claims to have the best name in the league, the Alabama Slammers, will travel to town Saturday night. Fans who get there early will receive a Burger King Magnet Schedule. During the intermissions and throughout the third period the ZOOperstars will perform.

Season Series: First Ever Meeting

SUN Nov. 23 Jacksonville @ TRAX 4:05 p.m. Macon Centreplex

If one game was not enough on opening weekend fans can see the Trax twice in 21 hours. The Jacksonville Barracudas come to Macon to renew the rivalry that started last season. Jacksonville comes into town well rested. The last time they played was Sat., Nov. 15 versus Miami. Sunday's game will be the final stop on a season-opening four-game road trip.

Season Series: First Meeting (2002-2003 Macon won 7-4)

LAST WEEK:

THU Nov. 6 Trax @ LAKELAND (5-2 WIN) 7:05 p.m. Lakeland Center

Andy Kollar spent part of last season with the Orlando Seals. He even played a few games versus the Macon Trax. Sunday night, Kollar showed the Seals why they should have kept him as he led the Trax to a 6-2 victory in Orlando.

The early going looked bleak for Macon (2-1-0, 4 points) as Orlando scored 4:22 into the game on a Mike Sanderson goal. By the time the first period was over the Seals threw 24 of their 51 shots on net.

Once again the Seals (1-1-0, 2 points) came out strong in the second period behind an Adam Campana goal at the 4:42 mark. That would be the last time Kollar allowed the Seals to send the puck into the back of the net.

The Trax comeback started with the first of Craig Miller's two goals on the night. Miller buried a shot off great passing from Jeff Antonovich and Edan Welch, one second after their power play expired.

Welch got into the scoring act himself to tie the contest 2-2 at the 7:56 mark, just 54-seconds after the first Trax tally. David Deeves put the Trax ahead for good when Steve Zoryk found his line mate trailing the play at the 15:09 mark of the middle period.

The third period was all Trax as they added three insurance goals. Scoring for the second time in as many games was player/assistant coach John Gurskis. Only 24-seconds later Luke Murphy lit the lamp for the first time in the 2003-2004 campaign.

The strangest goal of the night was the final goal of the game. Miller brought the puck across the blue line and shot it towards Seals goalie David Goverde. The puck hit Orlando defenseman Matt Brown's stick and skate and skirted past Goverde at the 17:56 mark.

TRAX TIDBITS:

· The Trax will open their home schedule the weekend of Nov. 22. The first home game is Nov. 22 versus Alabama at 7:35 p.m.

· The world-renowned ZOOperstars will perform on opening night for all the fans. It will be a great night for kids of all ages.

· The fans who arrive early will receive Burger King Magnet Schedules.

· On Sunday, Nov. 23, after the Trax face Jacksonville, JON SCOTT will perform a free post-game concert. Puck drop for Sunday is 4:05 pm.

· Trax staff will be at Geico Insurance and Brown and Williamson Thursday and Friday to sell tickets for opening weekend.

TEAM NOTES:

Macon is third in penalty kill with a 88.2% success rate.

The Trax have the second least amount of penalties in the league with 90 penalty minutes over three games.

As a team, the Trax average 5.67 goals per game.

STANDOUTS:

STEVE ZORYK and LUKE MURPHY are tied for the WHA2 league in assists with five.

Tough man ANDREW KATZBERG leads the league with four majors and is second in penalty minutes with 30.

CRAIG MILLER has been the top sharp shooter in the league with a 60% shooting percentage in the first three games.

STEVE HOWARD, BOBBY CLOUSTON, MILLER, and ZORYK all lead the WHA2 with a +6 rating.

TRAX GOALIE OF THE WEEK:

ANDY KOLLAR - On Nov. 16, KOLLAR led the Trax to a 6-2 victory over the Orlando Seals. KOLLAR recorded a league record 49 saves in the performance. The win was the first for KOLLAR this season and came against his former team.

TRAX PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

CRAIG MILLER - The winger had a career night versus Orlando Nov. 16. Miller found the net twice and assisted on two goals as well. In addition, he led all skaters with a +5 rating on the night. MILLER is currently leading the WHA2 with a shooting percentage of 60%.



SPHL Stories from November 19, 2003


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