Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons defeated the Mississippi Sea Wolves for the second time this weekend, shutting them out twice consecutively.
With 3,931 fans in attendance, the Sea Wolves seemed poised to strike back after being shut out Friday. Although both teams struggled to gain any momentum in the first period, the first 20 minutes was intense. Fast puck movement, good breakouts and strong defensive placement on both sides of the ice resulted in a 0-0 score after the first frame of play.
The River Dragons took off in the second period, leaving the Sea Wolves tired and frustrated. Within just 3 minutes of each other, Kyle Moore, Alex Storjohann, and Brian Dunford forced a 3-point lead over a winded Sea Wolves defense (goals scored at 4:56, 5:43, and 7:26 respectively).
The second period also saw a lot of penalties being served, accumulating 14 minutes in total between both teams. Columbus served 4 minutes for Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Kyle Moore at 9:52) and Slashing (Brian Dunford at 9:56), while Mississippi served a total of 10 minutes for Delay of Game (Bryce Derscherl at 3:50), Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Loic-Akim Pierre-Louis at 9:52), Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Chuck Costello at 9:56), Hooking (Blake Keller at 11:41), and Delay of Game (Matt Stoia at 11:45).
The second period concluded with the River Dragons on top, 3-0.
The final frame was a slugfest. Mississippi served 9 minutes for Cross Checking (Michael Haskins, 12:08), Fighting – Major (Philip Wong, 14:42), and High-Sticking (Curtis Hansen). The River Dragons’ Jordan Popoff and Kirk Underwood were both penalized for Roughing (3:50 and 17:14 respectively), and Scott Docherty for Fighting (14:42) to serve 6 minutes in the box.
The game-winning, one-handed goal was scored by Steven Klinck at 16:59. The game concluded in favor of the River Dragons, 4-0.
Saturday night’s 3 Stars of the Game included:
William Lavalliere – 100 SV%
Kyle Moore – 1 goal
Alex Storjahann – 1 goal
The River Dragons have their sights set next on the Baton Rouge Zydeco, as they aim to extend their winning streak to 5, in the Raising Cane’s River Center Arena on Thursday, November 7th.
The Mississippi Sea Wolves will travel to the Hitachi Energy Arena in Wytheville, VA to take on the Blue Ridge Bobcats on Friday, November 8th.
