AUGUSTA, GA – For some reason, people like underdogs. Maybe it’s because they represent the little guy – the one not expected to win. Saturday night at the James Brown Arena in Augusta, the little guy – or in this case the lower seed – pulled off such a win.
Led by the three-point night of Justin Fox and the stellar goaltending of Mark Sibbald, the eighth-seeded Huntsville Havoc defeated the top-seeded Augusta RiverHawks 6-2 in game three of their best-of-three SPHL President’s Cup playoff series. The win allowed the Havoc to capture the series, sending them to a date in the semifinals against their long-time rivals, the Columbus Cottonmouths beginning Wednesday in Huntsville.
The stunning loss by the RiverHawks was a shocking ending to what otherwise was an incredible sophomore season for coach Brad Ralph and his players. It is only the third time in SPHL history that the number one seed has lost its opening series, the last time being in 2007 when the sixth-seeded Jacksonville took down top-seeded Columbus. For Huntsville and interim coach Glenn Detulleo, it was proof that they have come a long way from where the team was when former coach Randy Murphy resigned prior to the end of the regular season.
Less than 24 hours after Huntsville’s season-saving win at home, the team was on the ice in Augusta trying to repeat the effort. Riding a wave of confidence, the Havoc came out of the gates like they were the team who was the top seed. Just 1:57 into the opening period, Fox beat Augusta goalie Peter Skoggard for what would be the first of three quick scores. Less than five minutes later, Stuart Stefan lit the lamp for a power play goal to double the lead. Then just 33 seconds after Stefan’s marker, Ray Ortiz hit the back of the net to give the visitors a three goal lead with the contest not even seven minutes old.
Ortiz’ goal was the end of the night for Skoggard who had faced only seven shots but watched three get past him. Ralph sent in Jon Olthuis, who had suffered the agonizing loss in Huntsville, to take over and he calmed things down. Down the other end, Sibbald was pitching a shutout, stopping all eight RiverHawks shots he faced, including a pair of rapid fire attempts by Aaron McGill, to keep the Havoc up by three at the break.
Both teams came out aggressively in the second, combining for 27 shots (17 for Huntsville) in the stanza. Sibbald continued to frustrate the RiverHawks at every turn. Augusta didn’t do itself any favors, giving Huntsville multiple power play opportunities in the stanza while the Havoc patiently waited for the opportunity to pad their lead. That chance came at the 7:24 mark when Dennis Sicard found a hole in Olthuis’ armor for the first time in the game.
Down by four heading to the final period, the RiverHawks dug in and got a quick score. Brendan Taylor took a feed from Branden Kosolofsky and beat Sibbald for the first time just 58 seconds in, giving the team and the home crowd some hope. Huntsville’s Colin Redding answered Taylor with a goal of his own at the 6:53 mark to once again give the Havoc a four goal lead. Jim Gehring scored Augusta’s final goal of the season with 8:57 left in regulation but when Huntsville’s Mike MacDonald put a shot past Olthuis less than two minutes later, the writing was on the wall for the RiverHawks.
Game Notes: Huntsville out-shot Augusta 37-27 in the game that was played in front of an announced crowd of 1,353…The RiverHawks went 0-for-1 on the power play while The havoc were 2-for-9…The announced schedule for the Huntsville – Columbus has the teams playing at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville on Wednesday with game two set for Friday in Columbus. If a game three is necessary, it will be played in Columbus on Saturday.
Augusta%27s Drew Baker (6%2C blue) battles Huntsville%27s Mike MacDonald for the puck.
Huntsville goalie Mark Sibbald made 25 saves to lead his team to the stunning upset.
Huntsville%27s Ray Ortiz (12%2C white) beats Augusta goalie Peter Skoggard for the havoc%27s third goal in the first period.
Huntsville%27s Ray Ortiz (12%2C white) hits the ice with Augusta%27s Chris Wiggin in hot pursuit.
A shot by Augusta%27s Jim Gehring eludes the traffic and beats goalie Mark Sibbald for a goal.
The Havoc celebrate their series win over top-seeded Augusta.
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