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Trax start season on a split

November 1, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


THIS WEEK:

SAT Nov. 6 TRAX @ Fayetteville 7:35 p.m. Crown Coliseum

The Trax will return to Fayetteville for the first time in two years. The two teams played one another as members of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League. The FireAntz have changed their name to reflect their city and not their region (Cape Fear). After a tough opening weekend with two home losses, the FireAntz will look to get on the winning track with first year Head Coach Derek Booth.

Season Series: First meeting of the season (Most recent: 6-1 WIN, Mar. 14, 2003 @ MAC)

All Time Series: Tied 5-5-0

LAST WEEK:

FRI Oct. 29 TRAX @ Huntsville (4-1 loss) 7:30 p.m. Von Braun Center

Macon's season started on a low note with a 4-1 loss to Huntsville. The Trax were stonewalled by Havoc goaltender Matt Carmichael who made 41 saves in the win.

The first period was anything but pretty. Fans who loved rough and tough hockey were treated to a bruising first period. The two teams combined for 71 penalty minutes and five fights in the first twenty minutes alone. By the time the game was over the Trax and Havoc recorded a Southern Professional Hockey League record 112 penalty minutes.

Scoring was the name of the game in the second period. Huntsville got on the board first when Aaron Lewis lit the lamp for the first ever Havoc goal. Less than a minute later the Trax Craig Miller tied the game up on a great wrist shot to beat Carmichael. Unfortunately, that would be the last time the Trax found the back of the net.

Huntsville tacked on two more goals before the middle period ended. Veteran Doug Merrell's score turned out to be the game winning goal at 12:26 of the second period. Derek McKinlay beat Trax goalie Mark Cairns late in the second to extend the Havoc lead going into the second intermission.

The third period was relatively quiet as Huntsville went into a defensive mode trying to maintain their lead. Macon peppered the Havoc with 14 shots in the final frame, but could not crack the armor of the Havoc's goalie.

SAT Oct. 30 TRAX @ Columbus (8-3 WIN) 7:30 p.m. Columbus Civic Center

The Macon Trax came out firing on all cylinders Saturday night. After a physical game last night in Huntsville, the Trax showed their finesse on their way to an 8-3 victory.

Ryan Rivard led the team with a career high five point night, scoring two goals and registering three assists. David Deeves chipped in four points with one goal and three assists. Joining that line is Steve Zoryk who added two goals for the Trax.

The power play was strong all night as the Trax converted three of six chances, their first power play goals of the season. In addition, their penalty kill was strong again killing off all four of the Cottonmouths' chances.

The Trax got a shot in the arm from a couple of rookies. Alex Thymaras scored his first points with two assists on the night. In the third period, Craig Geerlinks found the back of the net for his first professional goal.

TRAX TIDBITS:

· "CHUGGIN' WITH THE TRAX" premiers this week on Monday, Nov. 1 at Wagers Grill and Bar located at 3914 Riverplace Drive directly behind Outback. Join Trax broadcaster Adam Minnick, Head Coach Tommy Stewart and Captain Steve Zoryk from 6-7pm. Food and drink specials will be available every week to all Trax fans in attendance.

· Nov. 20—"GUARANTEED WIN NIGHT"—All fans in attendance will be guaranteed that the Trax will win. If the Trax lose to Columbus, each person at the game will receive a free ticket to the Nov. 23 game against Knoxville.

TEAM APPEARANCES:

Monday—Nov. 1, Warner Robins Optimist's Club-Ryan Crowther and Adam Minnick Wednesday—Nov. 3, Geico Insurance, 2-4pm- Mark Allen, Dominick Dawes David Deeves, Craig Miller.

Thursday—Nov. 4, Burger King in Byron, 4-6pm-Ryan Rivard, Edan Welch, Steve Zoryk *players attending subject to change

TEAM NOTES:

The Trax loss to Huntsville was the first time in team history Macon lost their season opener. Macon leads the league with a 33.3% power play conversion.

The Trax have the second best penalty kill with a 91.67% kill rate.

STANDOUTS:

RYAN RIVARD is second in the SPHL with 5 points (2G, 3A).

DAVID DEEVES is third in the league with 4 points (1G, 3A).

BOB MACMILLAN leads all tough men with 32 penalty minutes and 4 majors.

TRAX PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

CRAIG MILLER—The Trax assistant captain started the season with a goal in each game and a +1 rating. Both of his goals were assisted by Edan Welch, his former college teammate. The "Tommie Boys" clicked as they were paired on the same line with John Gurskis as the center.

RECORD TO DATE: 1-1-0 (2 points)

Tied for 3rd place in SPHL



SPHL Stories from November 1, 2004


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.

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