Mayhem win a close one at home
The Macon Mayhem returned home Saturday after spending the previous two games on the road. After a groggy first period the Mayhem woke up and collected a 5-4 victory over the Knoxville Ice Bears.
The first period was very physical as both teams tried to establish their positions on the ice. While more hits went to the home team it was Knoxville who managed more shots on goal and as a result the lone Stephen Pierog goal was sandwiched by a pair of Ice Bears goals.
The Mayhem took more shots in the second period but goals were hard to come by until defenseman Daniel Echeverri scored on a power play goal to tie the game at 2-2. Both teams exchanged penalty kills for most of the second half of the period. Knoxville center Tommy Kelley put the Ice Bears back on top scoring a power play goal with less than two minutes left in the period.
Macon wasted no time tying the score less than three minutes into the third period as left winger Stathis Soumelidis deposited the puck in the Ice Bears’ net. Peirog then added his second goal of the night to take the lead 4-3.
The defense clamped down and the Mayhem possessed the puck really well in the third period. Finally with four minutes remaining center John Siemer got the puck on a breakaway and flipped the puck over the head of the Ice Bear’s goalie for the insurance goal and a 5-3 advantage.
Knoxville was able to put a late goal on the board with a minute remaining in regulation but was unable to even the score up and the Mayhem came away with the 5-4 victory.
Four who mattered
Stephen Pierog – The center scored two goals; one that started the Mayhem scoring and one that ended it. That makes three goals for him over the last three games.
Stathis Soumelidis – He filled up the stats versus the Ice Bears scoring a goal and assisting on two others. This is the second game the left winger has accounted for two assists. The last time was on Nov. 18 against Fayetteville.
Vinny Muto – The defensemen accounted for two assists and was instrumental in holding a very good Knoxville offense to four goals.
Charlie Finn – The Mayhem goalie stopped 27 shots and was responsible to helping to shut down a late rally by the Ice Bears.
Observations
The penalty kill still needs work.
The Mayhem gave up two power play goals and a third that came as a power play was expiring. They have now allowed at least one power play goal in 10 of their 13 games this season. The next five days will be spent getting some rest but also working on cleaning up the penalty kill.
They said it!
Jeff Sanders on cleaning up the penalty kill
“I think it’s just one of those things where we just have to be mentally prepared every night. We can’t take any shifts off. We have the right personnel and the coaches have done a great job. We just have to make sure we are sharp every night and we’re taking up for our goaltender.”
Stephen Pierog on his recent offensive success being contributed to his line
“Me, Dilly (Denomme), Soumelidis, and also Salk (Salkeld) we just work really well together. We’re all hard working guys and we’re really finding our chemistry and I am just in the right place at the right time.”
Stathis Soumelidis on the slow start
“It was the third game in four days and everyone was really tired. It took us a little to get our feet moving and we kinda woke up in the third period.”
What’s next?
The Mayhem will have five days off from competition before heading back out on the road Dec. 1 to face Pensacola.
This story was originally published November 26, 2017 at 1:04 PM with the headline "Mayhem win a close one at home."