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Twins settle for split

February 7, 2005 - SPHL (SPHL)
Winston-Salem Polar Twins News Release


The Polar Twins played two games last week, coming out with a 1-1 record for the week for a season record of 12-30. It was a tale of two teams with completely opposite results on Friday and Saturday. The Twins defeated the Huntsville Havoc on Friday, 4-2, backboned by Rick Nichol's 38 saves and two goals from forward Steve Lajoie. On Saturday, the Twins could not hold back the Columbus Cottonmouths, allowing five goals in the second period for a 9-2 defeat.

Friday, February 4 v. Huntsville: Rick Nichol stopped 38 shots for his first win between the pipes, lifting the Winston-Salem Polar Twins to a 4-2 victory over the Huntsville Havoc Friday night at LJVM Annex.

Huntsville's James Patterson put one in the net at the 6:08 mark of the opening period to put the Havoc on top early. With Nichol down on the ice, Patterson lifted the puck into the open net for a 1-0 Havoc lead.

Trevor Karasiewicz tied it up for Winston-Salem just over two minutes later with his 11th goal of the season. Shawn Breaker, formerly of the Havoc, drilled a shot from the blue line that was deflected by Karasiewicz to extend his point streak to eight games.

The Havoc regained the lead with a power play goal at 12:51. Nichol got caught at the side of the goal crease but the puck bounced out in front to Jason deGuehery who make quick work of the empty net for the 2-1 Huntsville lead.

Steve Lajoie tied it up at 5:03 of the third period with his sixth goal of the season. With Huntsville's Josh Liebenow in the penalty box, Brett Cross connected with Marcus Willy who found Lajoie at the right wing post for a 2-2 game.

Shaun Aebig gave the Polar Twins the lead for good, netting the game winner in a scramble in front of the net with 2:05 left in the game for his 19th goal of the season. Lajoie secured the win for Winston-Salem with an empty net tally at 19:42 for his second goal of the game and seventh of the season.

Saturday, February 5 v. Columbus: The Columbus Cottonmouths tallied five goals in the second period to snap a five-game losing streak, taking a 9-2 victory over the Winston-Salem Polar Twins Saturday night at Joel Coliseum Annex.

Winston-Salem came out strong in the opening minutes of the game, out shooting the Cottonmouths 5-1 in the first five minutes of the period. Steve Lajoie put the Twins on the board only 1:48 into the first period with his third goal in two games. With Brent Toews in the penalty box for high sticking, Trevor Jobe drilled a shot from the point that was deflected over a sprawling Terry Friesen to give the Polar Twins the 1-0 lead.

Columbus tied it up just under five minutes later on Tyler Keller tallied his 13th goal of the season. Only seven seconds into the Cottonmouths' first power play of the contest, Keller capitalized on a screen in front of Rick Nichol to draw the game even at 1-1.

The Cottonmouths pulled ahead at the 7:58 mark of the opening period on a fluke goal by Orrin Hergott. Nichol made the initial save with his glove but the puck bounced free in front of the net and into a sliding Hergott who knocked it into the net for his 16th goal of the season and a 2-1 game.

Columbus extended that lead to two goals only 19 seconds into the second period. With ten seconds remaining on the power play, Tom McMonagle poked the puck loose from under Nichol's glove for his fourth goal against the Polar Twins and 22nd goal overall this season.

The Cottonmouths took the momentum from McMonagle's goal and rolled with it, scoring three more goals in the next 4:09 to put Columbus firmly in control with a 6-1 lead. Ryan Rutz, Tim Green, and Hergott all had even strength goals in that span for the five goal advantage.

Rutz increased that lead to 7-1 later in the period with his second goal of the game, a one-timer from the slot that beat Nichol, giving Rutz 14 goals on the season.

Trevor Jobe made it 7-2 at the 10:54 mark of the third period. Friesen tried to clear the zone but Jobe intercepted the puck in the high slot and teed up a slapshot for his third goal in five games.

McMonagle's second goal of the game made it 8-2 Cottonmouths before Lorne Misita wrapped up the scoring with his 20th goal of the season for the 9-2 final.

Calendar

Upcoming schedule of appearances, practices, games, and promotions

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

Upcoming Games

Friday, February 11 Polar Twins @ Columbus Cottonmouths 7:30 p.m. Columbus Civic Center

Saturday, February 12 Polar Twins @ Jacksonville Barracudas 7:05 p.m. Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum

Community Participation

Tuesday, February 8 12:30-3:00 p.m.

Captain Rhett Dudley and forward Chris Affinati will be visiting physical education classes at Hall-Woodward Elementary to work with students on hockey skills.

Wednesday, February 9 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Shaun Aebig and Richard Gustafsson will participate in Public Skate at the Annex, giving skating pointers to skaters.

Upcoming Promotions

Although the Polar Twins are on the road this week, fans can look forward to some great promotions the following weekend. On Friday, February 18 the Twins will host Country Music Night courtesy of WFMX 105.7. The first 500 fans through the doors will receive a free team poster. Saturday, February 19 is Throwback Night, featuring members of past Triad hockey clubs. The first 500 fans will receive a retro bumper sticker and following the game the Twins will host a live jersey auction featuring special retro sweaters to be worn by the players during the game.

Transactions

Roster changes for the week

02/05/05 DEL Kirkby, Steve (F) waived

01/29/05 ADD Kirkby, Steve (F) signed contract

01/29/05 ADD Kot, Justin (LW) signed contract

Lajoie nets three over weekend

First two-goal game of season Friday

Polar Twins forward Steve Lajoie has played a quiet role this season for his club, scoring valuable points and making strong plays along the way. Friday night Lajoie had his best goal-scoring output of the season by tallying two goals, including the tying goal in the third period, to lift the Polar Twins to the 4-2 victory over Huntsville. Saturday, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native added another goal, a power play tally only 1:48 into the game, for three points on the weekend. For the season, Lajoie has tallied eight goals and 19 assists for a total of 27 points, good for third in team scoring.

Other notable performances:

Graham Dearle and Shaun Peet each had two assists against Huntsville Friday night

Trevor Jobe tallied a goal and an assist Saturday against Columbus

Team leaders

Points Shaun Aebig – 44 points (19G, 25A)

Goals Shaun Aebig – 19 goals

Assists Trevor Karasiewicz – 30 assists

Power Play Goals Shaun Aebig – 7 PPG

Shorthanded Goals Brett Cross – 2 SHG

Penalty Minutes Chris Affinati – 106 PIM

+/- Justin Kot – +6

Shots Richard Gustafsson – 127 shots

Game-Winning Goals Shaun Aebig – 3 GWG

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