Columbus, GA – Justin MacDonald continued to lay the heat during this show-stopper, scoring 80 points (31 goals and 49 assists) in the past 34 games, consecutively. With 2,753 fans in attendance, MacDonald tallied 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) against Baton Rouge as they prepare to close their inaugural season in the FPHL.
At 5:02 in the first period, MacDonald won the draw in the Zydeco’s corner, sending it to a waiting Carter Shinkaruk, who then slammed it high in the basket to score the game’s first goal.
MacDonald pulled the Dragons to a two-point lead at 14:59, scoring off of Kyle Moore and Ryan Hunter’s fast passes and an overwhelmed Zydeco goal keeper.
At 19.03, Tyler Larwood cut the Zydeco’s two-point deficit down to one, scooping the puck in from close and inside against heavy pressure.
In the second frame, there were several skirmishes between a heated Zydeco lineup and the leading River Dragons. The Zydeco were penalized three times for roughing, once for hooking and were slapped with an unsportsmanlike conduct; costing them to play short-handed for a total of ten minutes in the second period.
At 4:17, MacDonald again pulled the Dragons ahead by two, using his speed and awareness to score on a disorganized Baton Rouge defense.
The River Dragons committed only one infraction in the second period, albeit a possibly costly one. Carter Shinkaruk was penalized for interference, allowing the Zydeco an opportunity to take a penalty shot on William Lavalliere’s net. Lavalliere made the save, keeping the Dragons ahead, 3-1.
At 14:08, Scott Shorrock chopped through heavy pressure to bring the Zydeco back to a 1-point deficit with an assist by Austin Weber and Noah Robinson, making it 3-2.
Austin Daae hit back for the River Dragons at 17:48, closing the second period with the lead against Baton Rouge, 4-2.
The final frame of regulation made it clear the fatigue experienced by both teams. The River Dragons were penalized twice – once for hooking (Cody Wickline) and once for tripping (Ryan Hunter). Baton Rouge was also penalized twice for hooking (Thomas McGuire and Seth Bacon), allowing the River Dragons two Power Play opportunities.
The River Dragons ran away with the lead, scoring at 1:22 (Josh Pietrantonio), 13:57 (Ryan Hunter), 17:30 (Alexander Jmaeff), and 18:02 (Alex Storjohann).
The River Dragons earned the W in regulation, 8-4.
Tonight’s 3 Stars of the Game included Justin MacDonald (2 goals, 3 assists for 5 points), Ryan Hunter (1 goal, 2 assists for 3 points), and Josh Pietrantonio (1 goal, 1 assist for 2 points).
Greg Harney had a lot to work against, earning a .852 SV%, saving 46 of 54 SOG. William Lavalliere earned a .818 SV%, saving 18 out of 22 SOG.
The River Dragons are 12-1 against Baton Rouge. Columbus needs 25 points to secure the top spot overall throughout the FPHL playoffs, and 15 points to lock Carolina out of the top spot in the Continental Division.
The River Dragons will host the challenging Motor City Rockers on Friday as the Zydeco head to their next stop at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex to play the Carolina Thunderbirds.
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