AUGUSTA, GA – The Augusta RiverHawks were unable to build upon their first win of the season, as they fell to the Knoxville Ice Bears 4-1 last Saturday night at the James Brown Arena.
Things looked up for the RiverHawks early in the game as William Lacasse started the scoring putting one in the back of the net from the blue line off a pass from Curtis Megginson at 4:58 in the first period. Chad Ziegler got the play started along the boards, and picked up an assist on the play. It was his fourth point in the past two games.
The RiverHawks’ lead was short-lived as Knoxville scored at the 7:41 mark of the first period. Former RiverHawks forward Tyler Fernandez found a loose puck at the side of BJ O’Brien’s goal-crease and fired it in the open net. Fernandez had a big night finishing with three points.
The Ice Bears took the game over in the second period. Knoxville Captain David Segal scored on a power play at the 8:06 mark. His goal was quickly followed by one from Helmbrecht, as he scored after a rebound off netminder BJ O’Brien’s pads.
The second period scoring was capped with just over three minutes remaining in the period, when forward Eric Satim converted a rebound chance off of a Berkley Scott shot, giving the Ice Bears the three-goal advantage. Also assisting on the goal was Mark Van Vliet, who was used both at forward and defense throughout the game. It was his second assist of the game.
The RiverHawks came out firing in the third period, doing everything they could to narrow the gap and out-shooting the Ice Bears 11-5. Unfortunately for the RiverHawks Knoxville goaltender Connor Toomey was up to the task, shutting the door entirely on the RiverHawks turning away each one. He was impressive all night long, making 32 stops for his fifth win of the season.
The loss dropped the RiverHawks’ record to 1-9-1 on the season, while the Ice Bears improved to 7-4.
Tempers flare in front of the Augusta net.
Augusta%27s Dennis Sicard (18%2C white) and Knoxville%27s Nate Peterson go toe-to-toe.
Ice Bear David Segal (28%2C black) looks for a pass in between three RiverHawks defenders.
Ice Bear Jeremy Klaver (8%2C black) and Augusta%27s Dennis Sicard battle for position as goalie Connor Toomey looks for the puck.
Knoxville goalie Connor Toomey stretches to make a glove save.
Knoxville goalie Connor Toomey looks behind him at William Lacasse%27s goal.
Augusta%27s Matt Puntureri (44%2C white) and Knoxville%27s Eric Satim collide in front of the Knoxville net.
Augusta%27s Matt Auffrey (71%2C white) and Knoxville%27s Shaun Arvai battle for the puck in front of Connor Toomey.
Knoxville%27s Mark Van Vliet (on ice) watches teammate Tyler Fernandez%27s shot beat Augusta goalie BJ O%27Brien.
Knoxville%27s Ricky Helmbrecht (6%2C black) manages to squeeze a rebound shot past three Augusta defenders for a goal.
Contact the photographer at stephanie.simpers@prohockeynews.com
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