Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons extended their win streak to 8 games after defeating the Pee Dee Ice Cats in regulation at home Saturday night, 6-3.
Trevor Babin stood between the pipes for Columbus, while the Ice Cats gave Parker Rutherford the nod to man the cage for Pee Dee in what turned out to be a highly physical contest.
The first period was riddled with penalties against both squads as they felt each other out.
Tyler Barrow, Cody Wickline, Skate Skalde, Alex Storjohann, and Jestin Somero each found themselves in the box for Columbus, while Chance Adrian, Jake Jurgeneit, Divyne Apollon, Patriks Marcinkevics, and Trevor Lord landed in the box for Pee Dee within the opening twenty minutes.
Alex Storjohann put the River Dragons on the board with a PPG at 1:57, claiming the lead for Columbus in the first period.
The second frame came with several calls against Pee Dee, offering the River Dragons the chance to capitalize on pivotal power play opportunities.
Chance Adrian, Dzianis Zaichyk, Domenic Della served penalties, and HC Gary Graham were penalized for Delay of Game at 6:18 and an Unsportsmanlike Conduct at 15:02, ultimately leading to three PPG’s for Columbus.
Tyler Barrow gave the River Dragons a 2-0 lead at 6:18, but was answered by Pee Dee’s Dominiks Marcinkevics at 8:48.
The match was leveled out by Dzianis Zaichyk at 12:17, tying the game at 2-2.
Tyler Barrow and Brodie Thornton each scored an additional PPG at 15:02 and 16:14, respectively, before Cody Wickline added to the River Dragons’ lead at 18:22.
The second frame closed with the Columbus River Dragons ahead, 5-2.
The final twenty-minute stretch was peppered with several altercations.
Pee Dee Ice Cats’ HC Gary Graham was removed from the game at 2:10 for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, following a disagreement with the officials.
At 2:52, Tyler Barrow scored the Hat Trick goal, unassisted.
At 5:40, Patriks Marcinkevics scored what would be the final goal of the night for Pee Dee, putting the Ice Cats at a 3-point deficit.
At 15:07, the flood gates were opened. Domenic Della Civita was slapped for Roughing at 15:07, while Patriks Marcinkevics was simultaneously called for Slashing.
Within seconds, nearly everyone on the ice was involved with an altercation.
Columbus’ Goaltender Trevor Babin was penalized for Leaving the Crease and Slashing, while Skate Skalde and Matthew Horan was hit with a 5- minute major for Fighting, and a Game Misconduct for Fighting After the Original Altercation.
Pee Dee Ice Cats’ Nicholas Magill-Diaz, Jordan Popoff, and Divyne Apollon were also hit with a 5-minute major for Fighting, and a Game Misconduct for Fighting After the Original Altercation.
The contest closed in favor of the Columbus River Dragons in regulation with a final score of 6-3.
Trevor Babin faced 30 shots, saving 27 of them, to earn a 90.0 SV% for Columbus.
The night’s Three Stars of the Game were Tyler Barrow, having produced a Hat Trick tonight, Brodie Thornton, and Scott Docherty.
Thornton produced four points for the River Dragons – one goal and three assists.
Docherty produced two points for Columbus, assisting twice.
Kyle Moore also produced two assists.
The Columbus River Dragons prepare to take on the Baton Rouge Zydeco on Friday night at home.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:35 pm.
Photos by Toni Rae Hill
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