The Mayhem start their trip to Evansville off right with a 3-2 victory.
The Mayhem came into this contest down a skater as Macon captain Caleb Cameron was manning the bench while Coach Nick Niedert watched from home after welcoming his daughter into the world in the early morning hours. While Coach was enjoying some time with loved ones, the rest of the squad traveled to Evansville to take on the Thunderbolts for the first time this season. The game started as a showcase of solid goaltending as Cody Karpinski and Evansville’s Sammy Bernard were each tough to beat in the first frame. The deadlock was broken with a Brian Etter 4-on-4 breakaway with less than two minutes to play in the first and the Thunderbolts carried that lead into the 2nd. The good play between the pipes continued in the next period as this time it was the Mayhem bringing the most of the pressure and Bernard fighting off every scoring chance. Each team killed off a penalty in the first half but Evansville’s second penalty of the period proved to be costly as Carter Roo scored his first goal since joining the Mayhem. Macon kept up the shots on the Evansville netminder but the score remained tied at one apiece heading into the 3rd. Both teams came into the 3rd jockeying for control of the momentum. The ice opened up and both teams saw high-quality scoring chances as a result. Both goalies remained on their “A-game” as they appeared unbeatable. It took an unfortunate series of bounces for the Bolts to beat Karpinski for a second time as a long shot from the blue line bounced off of a man in front, high up into the air, and right down behind Karpinski past the goal line. The Mayhem refused to quit as late Evansville powerplay gave Aaron Aragon the chance to snipe one by Bernard and even it up with under three to play. Rhett Kingston kept the celebration going for the Mayhem with a steal in the Thunderbolts’ zone and lifting the go-ahead goal over the blocker of Bernard. Evansville elected to go with an extra attacker to try and even it up but Karpinski continued his other-worldly performance with a couple of key saves late hold help the Mayhem hold on to the victory. The Mayhem will be back in action in Evansville tomorrow night to finish the weekend series against the Thunderbolts. They’ll be back in the Macon Coliseum next Sunday to celebrate Mac’s birthday with $5 tickets! For more information and tickets visit maconmayhem.com.
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