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Trax roll into New Year

January 3, 2005 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


THIS WEEK:

TUE Jan. 4 Fayetteville @ TRAX 7:05 p.m. Macon Centreplex

After losing the first meeting of the season versus the FireAntz, the Trax have won the last two battles. The Trax have won the only meeting this year on Centreplex ice. The two teams have battled pretty evenly in the two seasons they have met. Through 14 games each team has won seven. It will be "Double Cola Double Tuesday" as tickets are 2-for-1 with a Double Cola or Ski product. Call the Trax office for locations Double Cola is sold. In addition, all beer is buy one get one free during the game.

Season Series: Macon leads 2-1 (Last Meeting: 6-4 WIN @ MAC, 12/10/04)

All Time Series: Tied 7-7

THU Jan. 6 TRAX @ Jacksonville 7:05 p.m. Veterans Memorial Arena

Things have been a lot different this year compared to last year. It took the Trax almost an entire season to win in North Florida. In three meetings in Jacksonville this year, the Trax have won all three. The teams have met five times in the first half of the season and three of the contests went to overtime or a shootout.

Season Series: Macon leads 4-1 (Last Meeting: 5-2 WIN @ MAC 12/25/04)

All Time Series: Jacksonville leads 19-13

FRI Jan. 7 Knoxville @ TRAX 7:05 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The Trax have beaten every team in the SPHL except Knoxville this season. Macon will have a chance to change their luck against the league's first place team on home ice. In the first two meetings this season the Ice Bears have dominated the Trax. Macon is a different team since the last time the two teams met and will look to give the hometown fans some Friday Night Fun.

Season Series: Knoxville leads 2-0 (Last Meeting: 5-3 loss @ MAC 12/17/04)

All Time Series: Knoxville leads 10-5

SAT Jan. 8 Columbus @ TRAX 7:05 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The intrastate rivals will once again meet in Macon. On New Year's Eve the fans were treated to an old time Macon/Columbus battle. The Trax jumped out to an early four goal lead and hung on to pull out an 8-5 victory. For the fans who love to see players drop the gloves and muck it up, the game featured a lot of that. All four goalies in the game eventually were shown the gate as there were two separate goalie fights in the third period.

Season Series: Trax lead 2-1 (Last Meeting: 8-5 WIN @ MAC 12/31/04)

All Time Series: Macon leads 2-1

LAST WEEK:

FRI Dec. 31 Columbus @ TRAX (8-5 WIN) 7:05 p.m. Macon Centreplex

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.

SAT Jan. 1 Huntsville @ TRAX (4-0 WIN) 7:05 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The Macon Trax started the New Year the way the way ended they old year, with a big bang. Behind 38 Mark Cairns saves, the Trax blanked the Huntsville Havoc 4-0.

For the first time this season the Trax held an opponent to less than two goals in a contest. The Trax did something they have not done much of this season, built a huge lead in the first period.

Just under two minutes into the game Macon worked the puck deep into the Havoc zone. Steve Zoryk and John Gurskis worked the puck towards the net and even got a couple shots on goal. Edan Welch found a loose puck and stuffed the rebound home to give the Trax the early lead.

Only 36 seconds later Mark Allen and Dominick Dawes found Chris Duggan across two lines and in stride. Duggan crossed the blue line into the offensive zone and immediately fired the puck in the net. The shot was so hard Havoc goalie Brian Gratz did not see the puck until it was past him.

As Gratz was making his professional debut, the Trax were not about to let up. Allen continued his hot play by scoring his fifth goal of the season. Since Allen returned from injury five games ago, he has led the Trax with three goals and 8 assists.

Both teams came out flat in the second period. As the period went along Huntsville appeared to gain some steam, especially during their two power plays. The Trax penalty kill stood tall all night killing off four Huntsville power plays in all.

Cairns led the way in the final forty minutes as the Trax goaltender earned his third career shutout. The win also moved Cairns into the Southern Professional Hockey League lead with 13 victories.

David Deeves tacked on a late insurance goal to seal the Trax victory. The win moved the Trax into sole possession of second place in the SPHL and was their third in a row on home ice.

TRAX TIDBITS:

· "CHUGGIN' WITH THE TRAX"--Monday, Jan. 3 at Wagers Grill and Bar located at 3914 Riverplace Drive directly behind Outback. Join Trax broadcaster Adam Minnick, Head Coach Tommy Stewart and Mark Cairns from 6-7pm. Food and drink specials will be available every week to all Trax fans in attendance.

· Jan. 8 and Jan. 15—"SCOUT NIGHT"—The Macon Trax will honor all scouts in Middle Georgia. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are invited to come out and enjoy a special night of Trax hockey and Scouting. Please call Tammy at the Trax office at 478-742-4TIX ext. 2 for all the ticket discount information.

· Jan. 28—"GUNS ‘N' HOSES NIGHT"—The Trax will honor all the fireman and police officers in Middle Georgia. Any member of the area's "Finest" or "Bravest" will receive $2 off their tickets. During the intermissions, the Trax will feature special games pitting the two fraternities against each other.

· Jan. 29—"COLLEGE NIGHT"—Calling all college students in the Mid-State. The Trax are proud to announce their first annual COLLEGE NIGHT. All college students can come to the Trax game for only $5. Show your college ID at the ticket office to get the lowest ticket prices of the season. Every intermission game will have college students participate. Come out and make the first annual "College Night" a party to remember.

· Feb. 4—"BOEING MILITARY NIGHT"—The Trax bring back an annual tradition. Macon Hockey and Boeing are proud to honor the nation's soldiers with a night all to their own. Members of the military can show their military ID cards to receive ticket specials. The Trax will wear special a military jersey made possible by Boeing. These special game worn jerseys will be auctioned following the game.

TEAM APPEARANCES:

Monday, Jan 3; Kroger Celebrity Bag, Tom Hill, Macon; 4-6; Nick Niedert, Mark Allen, Mark Cairns, Craig Geerlinks, Casey Handrahan, Lou DiMasi

Wednesday, Jan 5; Central Fellowship, Macon, 1:30; Nick Niedert

*players attending subject to change*

TEAM NOTES:

Macon has won its last four home games.

The Trax continue to lead the SPHL with a 26.4% power play, but are last in the SPHL in power play opportunities.

The Trax have yet to allow a shorthanded goal this season, while they have scored four goals shorthanded, second most in the league.

In the last five team games, no Macon player has a minus rating overall.

STANDOUTS:

Since coming back from injury MARK ALLEN has had three goals and eight assist in five games.

MARK CAIRNS leads all goaltenders with 13 wins.

DAVID DEEVES is fourth in league scoring with 33 points. In his last five games he has a +8 rating.

TRAX PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

MARK CAIRNS—The Trax goalie had a perfect week going 2-0 against Columbus and Huntsville on home ice. Saturday night he gave the Trax their first shutout of the season as he made 38 saves in a 4-0 Trax victory over the Havoc. The Little Britain, Ont. native had 1.12 goals against average and .973 save percentage in his two victories. Overall, the Trax backstop leads the SPHL with 13 victories.

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