Category Archives: The Warrior

River Dragons Break Bobcats’ Hearts on Valentine’s Day

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Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons opened this weekend’s series at home versus the Blue Ridge Bobcats with a regulation win, 3-1.

Scott Docherty struck first for the River Dragons at 10:32 in the first period, claiming a lead that the Bobcats were unable to overcome.

Austin Daae added to the River Dragons’ lead at 18:53 in the second period.

In the final frame of play, Hunter Hall scored at 7:41, denying River Dragons’ Goaltender, Sammy Bernard, a shutout.

Justin MacDonald sealed the win for Columbus at 13:53, claiming victory in regulation for the River Dragons.

Ryan Hunter, Justin MacDonald, and Austin Daae each produced multi-point efforts. MacDonald and Daae each produced a goal and an assist, while Hunter produced two assists.

Hunter and MacDonald each have a 7-game scoring streak. MacDonald has 9 goals and 10 assists for 19 points, while Hunter has achieved 4 goals and 10 assists for 14 points. They are tied for the River Dragons’ season-high points streak.

Daae has produced five points in his last three games (2-3-5).

Scott Docherty has a point in his last four games (2-3-5).

The River Dragons will play again tonight at home against the Blue Ridge Bobcats. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 pm.

Photos by Toni Rae Hill

Two Way Shutout Settled in Shootout

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Columbus, GA – Sammy Bernard and Josh Rosenzweig stood firm in net for their teams for 65 minutes before the contest was settled in shootout in favor of the Athens Rock Lobsters.

Sammy Bernard, goal tender for the Columbus River Dragons, made 31 saves through all three regulation periods plus a 5 minute overtime period, achieving a shutout for the River Dragons.

Likewise, Josh Rosenzweig posted a shutout for the Rock Lobsters, making 38 saves.

The Rock Lobsters had a total of 8 power play opportunities, including three 5-on-3 power play scenarios, but were unable to capitalize.

The River Dragons managed to kill all three of their 5-on-3 penalty scenarios (a season high), and were also given a total of 8 power play opportunities, but could not overcome the Rock Lobsters’ defense.

The contest was only settled when Filip Virgili was able to score, giving the Rock Lobsters a victory in shootout.

Of the seven times these teams have met, all but three have been settled post-regulation. Columbus has won twice in regulation versus Athens’ one regulation win, while Athens has achieved three overtime wins. The River Dragons have emerged victorious in overtime only once versus the Rock Lobsters, on December 20th, 2024.

The River Dragons have not gone scoreless through regulation since their 1-0 loss in overtime at the first game of the season against the Monroe Moccasins on October 18, 2024.

Columbus will play next in Binghamton against the Black Bears next weekend before meeting the Rock Lobsters again on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 in Athens.

Photos by Toni Rae Hill

Thunderbirds Overcome River Dragons, 5-3

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Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons lost in regulation against the Carolina Thunderbirds, 5-3.

The Thunderbirds took off running against the River Dragons in the first period, scoring twice. Although Columbus managed 9 shots on goal, Babik didn’t allow anything past him. The first frame ended with Carolina ahead, 2-0.

In the second, Alexander Jmaeff recorded his 200th pro point with an assist on Brian Dunford’s goal 31 seconds into the second period, closing the gap on the Thunderbirds 2-1. Nate Keeley responded for the Thunderbirds, extending their lead to 3-1.

For the remainder of the night, anytime the River Dragons advanced to a one-point deficit, the Thunderbirds responded quickly to widen their lead.

The Thunderbirds took an important win from the night’s contest, winning in regulation on the road, 5-3.

Kalib Ford, Jon Buttitta, and Gordon Whalen all achieved multi-point performances for the Thunderbirds to lock in their victory.

Both squads will play next against the Rock Lobsters. Carolina is scheduled to play at 4:05 pm on Sunday in Athens, while Columbus will have an additional week to rest and recover before hosting Athens on Friday, January 24.

Photos by Toni Rae Hill

River Dragons Fall to Bobcats, 2-1

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Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons lost to the Blue Ridge Bobcats, 2-1, in a heated exchange Saturday night.


The first period was generally an even matchup. Neither the River Dragons nor the Bobcats were able to generate any momentum. The first 20 minutes concluded scoreless, 0-0.

In the second period, Nicolas McHugh capitalized on a Blue Ridge power play, putting the Bobcats ahead 1-0 at 8:05, and helped keep the River Dragons from making any headway. The period concluded with a Bobcats lead, 1-0.

Carson Andreoli took advantage an early turnover, and scored what would become the game-winning goal only 24 seconds into the 3rd period.

The rest of third period exploded, with both teams getting slapped with penalties and offering each other several scoring opportunities until the game’s conclusion.

Columbus turned up the heat in an attempt to close the gap on Blue Ridge. At 9:05, Alexander Jmaeff scored on assists by Nolan Slachetka and Connor Lind, making it 2-1.

Although Columbus generated several good shots on Hunter Virostek’s goal, nothing solidified and the game ended in favor of the Blue Ridge Bobcats, 2-1.

Columbus went 0-6 on power plays during the matchup, and Ryan Hunter’s 6-game scoring streak came to a halt, as did Cody Wickline’s 5-game scoring streak.

Alexander Jmaeff has tallied his 198th pro point tonight.

Columbus travels to Biloxi to square off against the Mississippi Sea Wolves on Sunday, while the Blue Ridge Bobcats will face the Carolina Thunderbirds in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Tuesday.

Photos by Toni Rae Hill

River Dragons Win in OT

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Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons achieved the win against the Athens Rock Lobsters in a highly contentious, evenly matched contest. Nearly 2,700 fans witnessed Columbus’ second round of the “Battle for Georgia” between these two Peach State squads, and celebrated the Dragons’ 2-1 OT victory.

The first period was scoreless. Dragons’ goaltender Matt Petizian, returning to the ice after an injury sustained against the Blue Ridge Bobcats in October, stopped 8 shots on goal by Athens, while the Rock Lobsters’ Josh Rosenweig blocked 13 attempts.

At 8:14 in the second frame, following through on his own rebound, Steven Klinck buried it when his initial shot bounced off the pads of Rosenweig. Alexander Jmaeff and Scott Docherty were awarded assists on the play.

Shortly after at 11:21, Carter Shinkaruk evened the score, concluding the second period and any regulation scoring at 1-1.

The third period proved to be a stalemate between the Georgia teams. Regulation ended 1-1, sending the contest into overtime.

At 4:19 in OT, Ryan Hunter followed through on a shot made by Connor Lind, poking it past a frantic Josh Rosenweig. In the heat of victory, the Columbus River Dragons sprung off the bench to celebrate the evening’s triumph.

The weekend series will continue tonight in Athens, GA, where the Columbus River Dragons will take Athens’ ice for the first time in team history.

The River Dragons’ next home game is scheduled for December 27th and 28th against the Blue Ridge Bobcats.

Warriors Host 2nd Annual Veterans Day Classic

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Columbus, GA – The Chattahoochee Valley Warriors hosted the Atlanta Warriors today at the Veteran’s Day Classic at the Columbus Ice Rink in front of a full house.

The Chattahoochee Valley Warriors and Atlanta Warriors, each team comprised of Veterans, put on an exciting match up for those in attendance. The Chattahoochee Valley Warriors, working to promote “Healing through Hockey”, and with support from the Columbus Ice Rink and GallantFew, hosted the first of two games at the 2nd Annual “Veterans Day Classic”.

The term “Healing Through Hockey” is one that veterans of the Chattahoochee Valley Warriors live by.  Healing through hockey has given many members of the organization an opportunity to create new connections with other veterans in a safe, challenging, and productive environment on the ice, after having served in the US military. It provides newly separated service members “an opportunity to find new purpose. When I left the service, I struggled for a long time to find meaningful connections with other people. When I joined the Chattahoochee Valley Warriors, I flourished. It’s made a major difference in my life”, commented Rich Fuller, who played tonight as the right winger for Chattahoochee Valley.

Both Warriors teams took the ice and the game was underway.

In the first period, John Bennett, David Hartle, and Dale Miller scored in a CV Warriors-dominated first period, ending the first frame of play with the CV Warriors ahead, 3-0.

The second period showed a strong effort from both Warrior teams, but only Atlanta found the back of the net. Jason Hansen put Atlanta on the board, and Nicholas Shelow helped to close the gap as well.

Chattahoochee Valley made a strong offensive effort, but could not find the back of the net. The second frame ended with the CV Warriors holding their lead, 3-2.

The final frame was an absolute battle for control of the puck, making both teams pretty heated. Jim Clapham, after being pushed from behind in front of his net, slashed his offender, ending up with a 2-minute slashing minor, plus a 10 minute misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct, putting Chattahoochee Valley at the disadvantage.

Atlanta took off, scoring three times on a short-handed Chattahoochee Valley squad.

The game ended in favor of the Atlanta Warriors, 5-4.