Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons hosted the Athens Rock Lobsters in the first segment of what will surely evolve into a heated in-state rivalry. More than 3,800 fans lined the stands of the Columbus Civic Center to witness the first bout in the Battle for Georgia.
The Athens Rock Lobsters, in their inaugural season in the FPHL, came into this matchup maintaining a 4-game win streak. The Columbus River Dragons, perfect so far this season with a 6-game win streak, took the ice with the sole purpose of establishing their dominance over the infant Rock Lobsters squad.
The first period was full of fury. Both squads committed penalties to establish dominance early in the game. The River Dragons’ Kyle Moore and Connor Lind were each penalized for two minutes for Roughing at 3:39 and 12:38, respectively. The Rock Lobsters’ Riley Roberson and Daniil Glukharev were penalized for Roughing at 3:45 and 8:26, Malik Johnson and Brandon Reller each served a 2-minute minor for Slashing at 12:38 and 18:20, and Filip Virgili served 4 minutes for Slashing and Unsportsmanlike Conduct at 19:10.
Taking advantage of the Rock Lobsters’ shorthandedness, Jestin Somero struck first on a tested Rock Lobster lineup, scoring the Power Play goal at 10:31. The first period ended with the River Dragons ahead, 1-0.
In the second frame of play, the Rock Lobsters were more in control, serving only 2 minutes at 15:27, when Cole McKechney was penalized for Hooking. The River Dragons, on the other hand, served a total of 8 minutes for Hooking (Kyle Moore, 1:10), High-Sticking (Scott Docherty, 8:39), Boarding (Brian Dunford, 12:37), and for Roughing (Jordan Popoff, 19:54), scoring twice but allowing the Rock Lobsters to score 3 goals.
Cody Wickline extended the River Dragons’ lead to 2-0 at 3:53, but was quickly diminished at 5:05 and 6:49, when the Rock Lobsters’ Kayson Gallant and Filip Virgili tied the game, 2-2.
Ryan Galvin put the River Dragons back on top over the Rock Lobsters at 11:02, making it 3-2, but Filip Virgili evened the score for the Rock Lobsters at 9:03.
The second period ended with the Columbus River Dragons and Athens Rock Lobsters tied, 3-3.
The final segment of regulation was an all-out war. Columbus’ Kirk Underwood served 4 minutes for Tripping at 2:35 and for Interference at 8:39, and Jestin Somero for Cross-Checking at 19:55. Athens’ also served 6 minutes – Joseph Colatarci for Tripping at 7:55, Brandon Picard for Hooking at 9:04, and Carter Shinkaruk for Roughing at 19:55.
Athens struck first in the 3rd period, taking a 4-3 lead over the River Dragons at 4:40, as Garrett Milan scored on assists from Carter Shinkaruk and Joseph Colatarci. The River Dragons, taking advantage of the Power Play afforded to them by Athens’ Brandon Picard’s Hooking penalty, evened the score at 4-4.
Cody Wickline scored what appeared to be the game-winning goal at 17:10 for the River Dragons, but it was not to be. At 19:55, with the River Dragons on their heels, Kayson Gallant tied the game at 5-5, closing the third period and sending the game into overtime.
The 5 minute, 3 on 3 overtime period remained scoreless, and forced the game to be settled in shootout. Steven Klinck, Kyle Moore, and Justin MacDonald were unable to score for the River Dragons, and Brandon Picard, Kayson Gallant, and Garrett Milan were unable to produce goals for the Rock Lobsters.
The game was decided on a sudden death shootout. Carter Shinkaruk scored first for Athens, putting the ball in the hands of the River Dragons’ Captain, Kirk Underwood. Underwood approached the net and deked Jack Bostedt out of position to allow a nearly wide-open shot, but the puck was fired a bit far left and deflected off the goal post.
The Athens Rock Lobsters emerged victorious, extending their winning streak to 5, while ending the River Dragons perfect season. The game ended 6-5 in favor of Athens in shootout.
Athens and Columbus both have their sights set on the Carolina Thunderbirds next. The Columbus River Dragons will remain at home to host Carolina on November 22nd and 23rd, while the Athens Rock Lobsters will have nearly two weeks to recover before traveling to Winston-Salem on November 29th.
Athens currently maintains in the #1 spot in the Continental Division of the FPHL.
