PHN Photo Essay: Snetsinger plays hero for RiverHawks

AUGUSTA, GA – Hockey fans may tell you that they love lots of scoring but nothing beats a good old fashioned defensive struggle. Just ask the fans of the Augusta RiverHawks.
On Friday, February 10th at the James Brown Arena, the RiverHawks and Fayetteville FireAntz game the fans an exciting game that probably drove both coaches crazy. In the end, it was Augusta that came away with a 3-2 overtime victory.
RiverHawks’ defenseman Ed Snetsinger was the hero, scoring the unassisted game-winning goal just under a minute into the extra period. The offensive defenseman made a solo rush into the FireAntz zone. Instead of making the safe play by just dumping the puck into the corner, Snetsinger curled toward the top of the slot and rifled a shot over the shoulder of Fayetteville goalie Mike Brown.
The game-winner was Snetsinger’s second of the season. It also helped to solidify his spot as the SPHL’s second-highest scoring defenseman, trailing only Knoxville’s Mark VanVliet. The score capped off a solid night for Snetsinger who finished the game with a plus-3 rating.
The visiting FireAntz calmed an energetic JBA crowd with an early goal to jump in front. Star forward Chris Leveille got the puck in the slot and fired a shot past RiverHawks’ goaltender Jon Olthuis.
The goal put the RiverHawks back on their collective heels and took some of the steam out of the crowd. It took over fourteen minutes of action in the opening period before Augusta was able to even the score. Captain Matt Auffrey did the honors, taking the puck from teammate Egor Mironov and forcing his way to the middle of the ice. He got off a spinning wrist shot that found its way through the legs of Brown to tie the game up.
The teams remained even at one until late in the second period when the RiverHawks edged their way in front. Again it was the number one line doing the damage as Auffrey and Neil Graham set up Mironov who buried the puck into an open net as Brown was inadvertently taken out by one of his teammates.
It looked like the RiverHawks might manage to make the 2-1 lead hold up as Olthuis was on his game until Augusta was hit with a five-minute major penalty while in the late stages of a penalty kill. FireAntz forward Rob Sich made the RiverHawks pay by whistling a snap shop that went over Olthuis’ shoulder and into the net just below the crossbar. The goal tied the game at 2-2 and set the stage for Snetsinger’s heroics.
Lost in the wake of Snetsinger’s game-winner was the performance of Fayetteville’s Brown who made several highlight-reel saves along the way. Brown kept his team within striking distance all night long, making 31 saves in the contest.

Fayettevulle%27s Chris Rebernik (8%2C black) fights with Augusta goalie Jon Olthuis for the puck as John Kearns (8%2C white) covers the crease.

Augusta%27s Neil Graham (22%2C white) kicks the puck away from on onrushing Chris Leveille (48%2C black).

Fayetteville%27s Anthony Pisano (41%2C black) and Augusta%27s Tyler Howe go toe-to-toe.

Augusta%27s Tyler Fernandez (10%2C white) fights Fayetteville%27s Chris Rebernik (8%2C black) for the loose puck

Augusta%27s John Kearns (8%2C white) and Jon Olthuis battle Fayetteville%27s Mike Forgie (7%2C black) and Rob Sich in front of the net.

FireAntz forward Mike Forgie (black jersey) and Augusta%27s Jon Olthuis (30%2C white) chase the puck as Tyler Howe (5%2C white) tries to keep Forgie at bay.