Trax light up Columbus goalies

Published on January 1, 2005 under SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


[MACON, Ga.] – A few years ago people used to circle on their calendars when Macon and Columbus would square off. Tonight proved why the fans of Georgia have enjoyed the battle between these two teams for the past decade.

The Trax ended 2004 in style by hammering the Cottonmouths 8-5 at the Macon Centreplex. The win moved the Trax (13-10) two points ahead of the Snakes (12-9) and securely in second place in the Southern Professional Hockey league.

Craig Miller led the way for the home team as he had a pure hat trick in the first period. Columbus dominated the game early on until Miller started his three goal spree at the 9:19 mark. Six minutes later he gave the Trax a big 3-0 lead.

The second period was the lull before the storm. The Trax added two more goals while Columbus netted one. The Trax defenseman led the way in the middle frame as Art Mnatsakanov scored early in the middle frame and Casey Handrahan scored in the middle to put the Trax up 6-2 after 40 minutes.

The final period was one not many people have ever seen before. There were five goals, 178 penalty minutes, four goalies fighting and two regular players in net.

At the 7:05 mark both teams decided it was time to stop scoring and about time to get physical. All players on the ice, including both goaltenders dropped the gloves in the Columbus zone. It would not be the only time two net minders would square off.

After the altercations David Deeves would extend the Trax lead and secured what looked like a sure Trax victory. Columbus answered back with a Tom McMonagle goal only to see the Trax Chris Duggan answer for Macon.

Late in the game the Snakes finally got a jump in their step. Matt Mathias and McMonagle brought the visitors to within three and quieted the 2,477 fans in attendance.

For good measure the two bitter rivals would delight the fans with another get together with just 13 seconds to go. As players met at center ice and exchanged pushes, punches and words the goalies felt left out. The Trax Nick Niedert and Columbus goalie Chad Rycroft dropped their helmets, blockers and gloves and gave the fans their second goalie battle of the night.

After order was restored the referee made the teams finish the final few seconds of the game. Edan Welch assumed the crease for the Trax as Ryan Haggarty pretended to be a goalie for the Snakes. The puck was finally dropped and the clock wound down to triple zeroes and a Trax victory.

Macon will be back in action Saturday night as the Huntsville Havoc makes their first trip to Macon. Call the Trax office at 478-742-4TIX to reserve your seat for the New Year's Eve game. The puck will drop at 7:05 pm for both games. All Trax broadcasts can be heard on Talk Radio 1670 WMWR starting 15 minutes before the puck drop.

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