Columbus, GA – Fans came ready for a great night of hockey in the Chattahoochee Valley. The El Mira River Sharks, although new to the FPHL, showed they came to play against the Columbus River Dragons, currently #1 in the Continental League of the FPHL. In the first 30 seconds of the game, Eli Bowers, goalie for the El Mira River Sharks, stood his ground to prevent a breakaway goal by Kyle Moore.
Columbus didn’t take long to respond to the challenge though. Josh Pietrantonio took advantage of a spread El Mira defense to score the game’s first goal at 4:28, with the assist by Austin Daae.
The River Dragons spent the better part of the first period attacking El Mira’s zone, putting thirteen shots on the goal.
Although the River Dragons executed quick puck movement and good pressure, El Mira kept their heads, allowing Davide Gaeta to tie the game before the end of the first period.
The second period started fast when at 1:10 Steven Klinck gave the River Sharks the lead, with an assist by Austin Pickford. Momentum had shifted in El Mira’s favor until at 10:14, Columbus struck back when Josh Pietrantonio scored his second goal, with the assist by Austin Daae and Hunter Bersani.
Both teams executed excellent puck movement and strong pressure, but Columbus reclaimed the lead at 18:24, when Ryan Hunter scored on the assist by Kyle Moore.
The second period ended with Columbus in command over the River Sharks 3-2.
In the final 20 minutes of regulation, an epic contest ensued to see who would take the win.
Hunter Bersani started the period in the penalty box for cross checking, giving El Mira an opportunity to capitalize on the power play. The River Sharks failed to execute with the 1-man advantage, but kept Columbus from adding to their lead.
At 11:18, Mark Pozsar sent a stray puck into the stands, giving the River Dragons the power play for delay of game. With three seconds left, while pushing through the 
penalty kill, Elijah Wilson tied the game for the River Sharks at 13:29.
At 15:11, with Sequoia Swan already in the box for cross checking, Pietrantonio joined him, gifting the River Sharks with a 5 on 3 opportunity, but El Mira failed to capitalize.
At 18:29, Justin MacDonald put Columbus back on top, assisted by Kyle Moore. At the end of regulation, Columbus pulled off the win against a tough contender, winning 4-3.
Josh Pietrantonio had this to say when asked about how the River Dragons performed against El Mira:
“Wasn’t our best effort, we were fortunate to get the regulation win. JMac just doing JMac things, being clutch and being there but I think we gotta regroup and make a better effort tomorrow.”
When asked how he felt about playing against former River Dragon Cody Rodgers, Pietrantonio replied, “when we’re out there it’s all business. [We’re] friends but it doesn’t matter. I’ll catch up with him tomorrow night after the game but until then we got a job to do.”
The Columbus River Dragons will play the El Mira River Sharks at home again tomorrow night.
Photos by: Toni.Hill@prohockeynews.com
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