Twins losing streak extends to five

Published on February 22, 2005 under SPHL (SPHL)
Winston-Salem Polar Twins News Release


Friday, February 18 v. Jacksonville: Brad Federenko had a two goals, including the game winner, and added an assist in the Jacksonville Barracudas' 10-5 win over the Winston-Salem Polar Twins Friday night at LJVM Annex. The win gives the ‘Cudas a perfect 6-0 record against the Polar Twins this season.

Graham Dearle got the game off to a quick start, scoring only 49 seconds into the game to give the Polar Twins the early lead. Billy Rochefort found Dearle alone between the faceoff circles on a clean break. Tyler Nilsson made the stop but the pick squirted out of his glove and was knocked in by Dearle for his ninth goal of the season and a 1-0 game.

Jacksonville tied it up less than a minute later on Colin Kendall's seventh goal of the season. A bad line change left Kendall wide open for a breakaway goal that beat Jomar Cruz low to the glove side for a 1-1 game.

The seesaw battle continued as Geoff Rollins netted his eighth goal of the season to regain the lead for the Twins at 2-1. Steve Lajoie out-muscled his man behind the net to come up with the puck to put a shot on net. With a scramble in front, Rollins beat Nilsson to one again put the Twins on top.

It was all ‘Cudas from that point out with Jacksonville scoring three straight to end the first with a 4-2 score. Jason Silverthorn started the flurry with his first goal on the night, picking his spot over Cruz's left shoulder to tie the game 2-2.

Greg LeColst made it 3-2 in favor of the ‘Cudas at 9:48 of the first with a goal through the five-hole that sent Cruz to the bench in favor of Rick Nichol. Cruz finished his night giving up three goals on eight shots.

Silverthorn added his second of the game to give Jacksonville the 4-2 advantage heading into the intermission.

In the second period it was more ‘Cudas. Captain Federenko tallied two straight goals to give Jacksonville firm control of the game at 6-2.

The runaway train continued with Brent Rumble's 18th goal of the season to make it 7-2. Jason Bone followed with his fourth goal of the season for the 8-2 ‘Cudas lead. Darren Partch would finish out the period's scoring with his first on the night to make it 9-2 heading into the third period.

Winston-Salem showed some life in the third, getting a goal from Trevor Karasiewicz to make it a six goal game at 9-3 before Partch's second goal of the game just over two minutes later regained the seven-goal cushion for Jacksonville at 10-3.

Trevor Jobe and Shaun Aebig tallied goals for the Polar Twins in the third but it was too little too late for Winston-Salem as Jacksonville went on to win their sixth game of the season over the Polar Twins 10-5.

R.J. Roy contributed four assists in his first game back with the Barracudas after a brief stint with Asheville.

Saturday, February 19 v. Asheville: It was a much better game for the Winston-Salem but the Polar Twins were still unable to come out with the victory, dropping Saturday night's Southern Professional Hockey League game 3-1 to the Asheville Aces. Joel Petkoff lead Asheville with three points (2 goals, 1 assist).

After a scoreless first period, Shaun Aebig put the Twins up 1-0 with his team-leading 21st goal of the season at the 7:29 mark of the middle frame. With Aebig able to sneak behind the Asheville defense, Trevor Karasiewicz made the tape to tape pass to send Aebig in alone on Aces goaltender and current SPHL Player of the Week Mark Scally. Aebig faked to the right and backhanded a shot under Scally for the lead.

The score would stay that way until the 6:19 mark of the third period when Petkoff netted his 20th goal of the season to tie things up 1-1. Jomar Cruz stopped the initial shot by Brett Roat but the rebound came out to the left wing faceoff circle and right on the tape of Petkoff. With Cruz out of position, Petkoff drilled a shot into the open net to draw the game even.

Robert Cardinal pulled the Aces out in front with less than five minutes to go in the third period, capitalizing on a defensive mistake by the Polar Twins to give Asheville the 2-1 lead. Winston-Salem could not convert with the extra attacker and Asheville added an empty net goal for a 3-1 Asheville victory.

Calendar

Upcoming schedule of appearances, practices, games, and promotions

Practice: Wednesday & Thursday 9:30-11:30 a.m. LJVM Annex

Pre-game skate: Friday & Saturday 9:30-11:30 a.m. LJVM Annex

Upcoming Games

Friday, February 25 Macon Trax @ Polar Twins 7:30 p.m. LJVM Coliseum Annex

Saturday, February 19 Fayetteville FireAntz @ Polar Twins 7:30 p.m. LJVM Coliseum Annex

Community Participation

This week, Captain Rhett Dudley and forward Chris Affinati will speak to students at Gibson Elementary in Winston-Salem about the importance of teamwork. Polar Twins players will also work with PE classes at Kimberly Park Elementary on hockey skills.

Upcoming Promotions

Friday night is one of the Polar Twins' Family Four Pack nights. Fans can get four tickets, four sodas, four popcorns, and four hot dogs for only $40. Family Four Packs can be purchased by visiting the LJVM Coliseum Box Office. Saturday is Scout Night with all scouts and their families receiving $5 upper level tickets.

Transactions

Roster changes for the week

02/19/05 DEL Gardipy, Brent (D) waived

02/18/05 ADD Rochefort, Billy (D) assigned by Richmond, UHL

02/12/05 DEL Miller, Jamie (F) traded to Fayetteville

02/12/05 ADD Lachapelle, Bryan (RW) acquired in trade from Fayetteville

Playoff hopes gone for Twins after fifth straight loss

Only a miracle would bring Winston-Salem to the post season

With 10 games remaining in the regular season, the Winston-Salem Polar Twins are all but eliminated from the post season after dropping five straight games, including two last weekend. In order to make it to the playoffs, Winston-Salem would have to win all 10 games and the Huntsville Havoc would have to lose each of their remaining 12 contests. Added to that, Asheville would have to lose all but three of their remaining nine games for the Twins to secure a playoff berth. Basically, it would take a miracle. One more win by Huntsville or a loss by Winston-Salem will mathematically eliminate the Polar Twins from post season play.

Team leaders

Games Played Shaun Aebig – 46 games

Points Shaun Aebig – 48 points (21G, 27A)

Goals Shaun Aebig – 21 goals

Assists Trevor Karasiewicz – 32 assists

Power Play Goals Shaun Aebig – 7 PPG

Shorthanded Goals T- Shaun Aebig, Trevor Karasiewicz – 1 SHG

Penalty Minutes Chris Affinati – 115 PIM

Shots Shaun Aebig – 132 shots

Game-Winning Goals Shaun Aebig – 3 GWG

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