FAYETTEVILLE, NC – The Macon Mayhem traveled to Fayetteville for their third matchup with the Marksmen this season, and first of the year in the Crown Coliseum. The Mayhem would be out for a measure of revenge after having dropped the two prior contests this season to the top-ranked Marksmen.
Macon’s penalty kill unit would be put to the test early. The Mayhem would come up tall, thanks in part to stout goaltending from Josh Boyko, as they killed off two penalties in the first. Macon would be outshot 20 to 5 but would be able to keep the score level into the break.
The Marksmen would break through in the second period. Simon Boyko would tip a point shot past his brother Josh for the Marksmen lead. Just 15 seconds later, Fayetteville would find success again as Tyler Kobryn would tip another point shot from former Mayhem player Kyle Soper to stun the Mayhem. After those two Fayetteville goals, the contest would turn extremely feisty. Macon’s Brad Jenion would land blow after blow in his fight with Connor Fries. Several more penalties would be assessed with Macon succumbing a short-handed goal to the Marksmen. In the final minute of the period, CJ Hayes and Connor Fries would be assessed penalties for a spirited spat of extracurriculars, and David Nippard and Anthony Yurkins would be tapped with a major for fighting. As the horn expired, extracurriculars would spring forth again with a litany of Mayhem and Marksmen players going at it, including Jamie Dorsey and Tanner Nagel. A total of 8 penalties would be assessed as a result including two game misconducts.
As a result of the activities at the end of the second period, 4 members of the Marksmen and 6 members of the Mayhem would open the final frame in the penalty box with the Marksmen on a 5 on 3 powerplay. Macon would stand strong and kill off the Marksmen’s man advantage. The feistiness would persist down the stretch with both Alex Cohen and Billy Jerry given 10 minute misconducts for continuing altercation. Macon would settle in for their best offensive possessions of the evening, but with a 3 goal lead, Fayetteville was able to focus on just shutting down the Mayhem offense.
Macon’s Josh Boyko would be stellar again tonight stopping 51/54 shots albeit in a 3-0 loss. With play like that, the Mayhem should be back to the races when they regain their hot offensive form from earlier in the year.
In a 56 game season, there are sure to be ups and downs, and a 27 day road trip will never be easy on a squad. The important thing is to be relentless and to learn from your shortcomings which the Mayhem have done thus far. Macon will look to bounce back Friday night in Knoxville before coming home to the Macon Coliseum for an 8 game home stand. The Mayhem will be happy to get back to the friendly confines of the Macon Coliseum this Saturday for a tilt with the Ice Bears on Scooby Doo Night where dogs are welcome to join in on the fun. Then Sunday, November 26th, the Mayhem welcome in the Pensacola Ice Flyers for a Sunday matinee on Pucks and Pickleball Night. For tickets or more information, visit maconmayhem.com or call us at 478-803-1592.
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