PELHAM, AL – The Macon Mayhem would continue their season-long 27-day road trip on Friday night, this time for their first matchup of the year with the Birmingham Bulls.
Macon would get an early powerplay off a delay of game penalty, but they would be stifled by the top-ranked Bull’s penalty kill unit. Birmingham would capitalize on the momentum as Drake Glover would score the game’s opener. After a delayed penalty was called against Macon late in the first period, Birmingham’s Carson Vance would double the home side’s advantage with the extra attacker. Macon would head to the locker room looking for some answers offensively after registering just 3 shots on goal in the period.
The second period would get off to a chippy start as Macon’s Brad Jenion would be assessed a double minor for roughing. The tone would be set, and a fight would break out a few minutes later with Tanner Nagel and Ryan Romeo dropping the gloves. Macon’s penalty kill unit would survive for three minutes before Birmingham’s Scott Donahue was able to tuck home a rebounded shot. Macon would finally break through at the 9:27 mark in the second period. Justin Cmunt would fire the puck past Hayden Stewart from above the two faceoff circles for his second goal of the year; Dan Winslow and Jamie Dorsey would be credited with assists. Unfortunately for Macon, Scott Donahue would strike again to reclaim the Bulls’ three-goal lead. Macon would find themselves on the bad side of a 4-1 score at the second intermission.
Neither team was able to get much going in the third as the pace of play really slowed in the final frame. At 13:46 in the period, Macon’s Sacha Roy would try to ignite a spark in the Mayhem by getting into a fight with Buster Larsson. However, it would not be enough to spark a Mayhem comeback. As the final horn sounded, Macon would fall for the first time in regulation on the road this season.
Macon will have a long 8 hour bus ride ahead of them this evening as they head up I-81 to match up with the reigning champion Roanoke Railyard Dawgs Saturday night. The Mayhem will finally head back to the Macon Coliseum on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for a tilt with the Ice Bears on Scooby Doo Night. Then Sunday November 26th, the Mayhem welcome in the Pensacola Ice Flyers for a Sunday matinee. For tickets or more information, visit maconmayhem.com or call us at 478-803-1592.
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