Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons were defeated in regulation by the Monroe Moccasins at home Friday night, 8-4.
Photo credit: Toni Rae Hill
Tyler Masternak manned the cage for Monroe, looking to end the River Dragons’ current win streak at the Columbus Civic Center.
Tyler Roy, in the net for Columbus, faced 13 shots in the opening twenty minutes.
The Monroe Moccasins scored two short-handed goals on a single power play, following a High Sticking call against Corson Green at 3:03.
At 4:17, Casey Gerstein scored the first short-handed goal, followed by another short-handed goal by Carlos Fornaris at 4:56.
At 10:37, Jared Christy tacked on another for Monroe, scoring an even-strength goal.
At 13:02, Yianni Liarakos poured salt on the River Dragons’ wounds, scoring a third PPG and closing the frame in favor of Monroe, 4-0.
In the second frame, the River Dragons rallied to come back, managing to score three power play goals.
Kyle Moore took advantage of a Tripping call against Monroe’s Frank Schumacher, putting Columbus on the board at 2:57.
Ryan Hunter buried the next two PPG’s for Columbus, first at 8:44 and again at 13:45, closing the gap to a one-point deficit behind the Moccasins.
At 17:34, Jared Christy scored his second goal of the night, reclaiming a two point lead for Monroe.
The second period ended with the Moccasins ahead, 5-3.
The remaining twenty minutes started with Monroe’s Michael Hagan Moe widening the gap over Columbus to a 3-point advantage with a goal at 2:02.
Ryan Hunter answered for the River Dragons at 2:51, achieving the Hat Trick for Columbus.
His achievement was in vain though, as it was the last time Columbus would score.
The Moccasins’ Yianni Liarakos buried another, and Carlos Fornaris hit the empty net goal, finishing the River Dragons off in regulation, 8-4.
Tyler Roy produced an 84.38 SV% for the River Dragons, blocking 27 of 32 shots fired by Monroe.
The River Dragons will face the Moccasins at home again on Saturday night.
Puck drop is scheduled to take place at 7:05 pm.
Photo credit: Toni Rae Hill
Photo credit: Toni Rae Hill
Photo credit: Toni Rae Hill
Photo credit: Toni Rae Hill
Photo credit: Toni Rae Hill
Photo credit: Toni Rae Hill
Photo credit: Toni Rae Hill
Photo credit: Toni Rae Hill
Photo credit: Toni Rae Hill
