PENSACOLA, FL – The Macon Mayhem traveled down to the Gulf Coast on Saturday. However, there would be no vacation time as Macon prepared to go to work against the Pensacola Ice Flyers.
After being shut out the night prior, Pensacola would continue to look out of sync offensively at the start. Macon would not have such woes. Derek Contessa would drive into the high slot before expertly picking out Alex Laplante along the goal line; the reigning SPHL Player of the Month would place his shot perfectly to beat Mundinger for his 18th goal of the year. Pensacola’s Garrett Milan would soon answer back after getting loose in the slot to slam home a loose puck that was just out of the grasp of Jimmy Poreda. Bondarenko would then get loose on the back door to grab Pensacola the lead and seemingly spark the Ice Flyers’ attack. After a lengthy video review on a potential third Ice Flyers goal, the call stood as no goal. The Mayhem would batten down the hatches for the rest of the period to hold the deficit at one.
Jimmy Poreda would make a trio of heart-stopping saves to open the second frame, but he would have one that he would want back soon thereafter. Poreda came way out of the crease while trying to prevent a breakaway; Malik Johnson would stick-handle around him and tap it into the open net to double the Pensacola advantage. After being unable to convert on a 5-on-3 powerplay, it was becoming more and more apparent that the Mayhem were starting to skate with some very tired legs after their third game in three days with a very short bench. Macon would be finding themselves in need of a spark at the end of two down by two.
The Mayhem would find that spark in the early part of the third. Macon’s penalty kill unit would grab a kill to open the final frame, and they were able to do one better by turning that one into a “power-kill” with two seconds remaining short-handed. Derek Contessa would chase his own rebound and finish the short-handed chance to pull Macon back to within one. Poreda would continue to make save after save to keep Macon on the cusp of tying the game. With a powerplay under a minute to play, Macon would go empty-net for the 6-4 skater advantage; unfortunately, it would not pay off. Nick Leitner would score the empty netter to seal a 4-2 Pensacola win.
The Macon Mayhem will prepare this week for a road trip up the East Coast next weekend. The Mayhem will then return to the Macon Coliseum on Monday, February 19th for a matchup with the Roanoke Railyard Dawgs. Tickets for that game are JUST $5 so come join in on all the fun. For tickets or more information, visit maconmayhem.com or call us at 478-803-1592.
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