Columbus, GA – 3,081 people attended the first round of the FPHL Commissioner’s Cup Playoffs at the Columbus Civic Center, with several hundred more viewing online, as the Columbus River Dragons drove the final nail in the coffin for any hopes the Mississippi Seawolves had of continuing their season.
Although the first period was a highly physical, rowdy matchup, the River Dragons maintained control of the game from the first puck drop.
The second period proved to be a difficult 20 minutes for the Seawolves. For 8 minutes, the Seawolves were forced to play short handed.
Phillip Wong spent two minutes in the box for unsportsmanlike conduct, Justin Barr sat for two minutes for delay of game, and Matt Stoia spent 2 minutes in the box for unsportsmanlike conduct and another 2 minutes for cross-checking.
Against the Seawolves’ best efforts, the River Dragons managed to score 3 times in the 2nd period.
Austin Daae, Justin MacDonald, and Cody Wickline each scored, which staged the scene for an all-put onslaught in the 3rd period.
In the 3rd frame of regulation, the River Dragon’s ran away with the game to seal the Seawolves’ date.
Austin Daae, Ryan Hunter, Alex Storjahann, Justin MacDonald and Alexander Jmaeff each buried their own rocks in the bucket while the Seawolves seemed to be clawing on for any leverage they could find.
Justin Portillo served two minutes for hooking, while Dmitry Kuznetsov was called for abuse of officials (10 minute major) and Richard Pinkowski was slammed for roughing (2 minute minor) and unsportsmanlike conduct (10 minute major).
Tonight’s matchup concluded with the River Dragons winning with a shutout to end the Seawolves’ season, 8-0.
The Seawolves will return home to lick their wounds until the start of the 2024-2025 season. The River Dragons, having swept Mississippi this week, will advance to the 2nd round of the Commission’s Cup Playoffs.
Tonight’s Stars of the Game included Breandan Colgan, Justin MacDonald, and Kyle Moore.
Colgan made 20 saves tonight, who had much less to worry about than the Seawolves’ Joseph Sheppard, who only saved 38 of the 46 shots taken on his net.
Justin MacDonald scored 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist). MacDonald was also awarded the FPHL’s MVP honor, having scored a total of 117 points (45 goals, 72 assists).
Kyle Moore also scored 3 points (3 assists) tonight.
Ryan Hunter, having scored 75 points this season (29 goals, 46 assists), was named the FPHL’s Rookie of the Year.
The River Dragons next game will be determined based off of who wins the first round of the Continental Division FPHL playoffs. Their next home game is scheduled for Saturday, April 27th.
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