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Trax Start Season with a Split

November 11, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


THIS WEEK:

SUN Nov. 16 Trax @ ORLANDO 6:05 p.m. TD Waterhouse Center

The Trax finish their three game season opening road trip in Orlando. The defending President's Cup champions were the toughest opponents for the Trax last season. In the 12head-to-head meetings, Orlando came away with eight victories.

Season Series: First Meeting

LAST WEEK:

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

There could not have been a better way for the Trax to open up the WHA2 inaugural season. It was a great night to be a part of as many firsts occurred. The biggest first was the game itself. After a seven month off-season, the WHA2 played its inaugural game which the Trax won 5 - 2.

The Trax wasted no time in opening up the scoring. At the 3:08 mark, forward Ryan Rivard netted the first goal in league history. After the goal, officials took the puck and Rivard's stick. Both items have been signed and are being sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont., Canada.

Before the end of the first period, defenseman Steve Howard put home his first goal of the season of a great pass from Luke Murphy. The Trax were not satisfied with a 2-0 lead as STEVE ZORYK increased that lead with his first goal just 80 seconds into the middle period.

Coach Tommy Stewart's squad was hungry as ever on opening night. Things were looking great after Ontario native RIVARD found the back of the net for the second time in the game at the 3:26 mark of the second period.

Lakeland showed they were not going to be shut out in their building in the first game. For the first time in seven years, Lakeland fans saw a professional hockey goal. CHRIS MIGLIORE scored Lakeland's first and second goals within 24-seconds to bring the Loggerheads within two goals of the Trax.

Another first occurred at the 11:52 mark of the second period the Trax scored a power play goal. Art Mnatsakanov took a JEFF ANTONOVICH feed for the final tally of the night.

Trax goaltender GEOFF FAULKNER picked up the win with a 29 save performance. The defense in front of him was stellar on the penalty kill. Lakeland was 0-11 in the game with the man advantage. With the win, TOMMY STEWART earned his first victory as a head coach.

SAT Nov. 8 Trax @ MIAMI (10-6 loss) 7:05 p.m. Miami Arena

If you are a fan of defensive hockey, the Miami Arena was not the place to be on Saturday night. The Manatees won their inaugural game with a 10-6 win over the Trax.

Just 38-seconds into the game Miami's Darren Cain scored the first ever Manatee goal. Soon after TODD NOWICKI gave Miami a two goal lead.

The Trax hot hand RYAN RIVARD cut the lead in half with his third goal in two games. Once again Miami extended the lead to two goals after OAK HEWER'S goal.

Just when it looked like Miami was in firm control of the match the Trax came storming back. Back-to-back goals by CRAIG MILLER and JOHN GURSKIS knotted the teams at three.

After giving the fans six goals in the first period, the teams combined for five more in the second, four by the home team. 4:54 into the second period Miami forward ERIC PERRICONE put his tea back in front by one. Again, the Trax tied the game with an EDAN WELCH breakaway goal. WELCH received the puck at the blue line from a great BOBBY CLOUSTON pass deep in his own zone.

With the game tied at four, Miami had seen enough. Three more goals in the second period, including two by CAIN to finish his hat trick, and one at the beginning of the third period, gave the Manatees an 8-4 lead. The closest the Trax would get in the third period was within two goals.

All sorts of league records were set early in the season. The two teams combined for 16 goals, 83 shots, 67 saves, and widest margin of victory, all WHA2 records.

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.

· 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.

· The Trax have the following appearance this week:

Nov. 13 @ Robins AFB (11am-2pm)

TEAM NOTES:

TOMMY STEWART won his first game as a head coach Nov. 6 versus Lakeland. As a team, the Trax lead the league with 11 goals and 16 assists.

STANDOUTS:

RYAN RIVARD leads the WHA2 with three goals Tough man ANDREW KATZBERG dropped the gloves twice in his first two games. Assistant Captain STEVE ZORYK is third in the WHA2 with four points (2G, 2A).

TRAX GOALIE OF THE WEEK:

GEOFF FAULKNER-On Nov. 6, FAULKNER won the first ever game in WHA2 history with a 29 save performance against the Lakeland Loggerheads.

TRAX PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

RYAN RIVARD-In his Trax debut, RIVARD found the net three times in two games. After the first week the 6'2", 210-pounder leads the WHA2 in goals. After a rookie season of only four goals, RIVARD is one goal away from tying a career season high for goals scored.

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