The Macon Mayhem fail to overcome an early scoring surge from the Pensacola Ice Flyers and drop the game 7-1.
The start of the first period was not how the Mayhem wanted to start their second half of the season after the weekend off. Five minutes in the Ice Flyers converted on a pair of goals in a 17-second span to put Macon down two. The situation went from bad to worse for the Mayhem after Rourke Russell was sent to the box after a puck floated on him in his own zone, causing a delay of game. Rhett Kingston and Aaron Aragon weren’t deterred as they flew down the ice and scored on a shorthanded rush, only to have the goal called back (which would become a theme for the Mayhem). After the officials changed their minds, a 3-goal swing would ensue as the Mayhem surrendered two shorthanded goals. Pensacola captain Garrett Milan tacked on one more after Macon made the switch from Cody Karpinski to Josh Benson between the pipes to send the Mayhem into the first intermission down five.
Things settled for the Mayhem in the second as they were able to get an edge on the Ice Flyers. Jesse Anderson scored his first goal in a Mayhem sweater then was shortly followed up by Caleb Cameron laying what is easily the best hit the Mayhem faithful have seen so far this year. Fisticuffs followed and momentum for both teams skittered to a halt as we entered the third still sitting at 5-1.
The Mayhem came into the third still managing good offensive possessions but Pensacola goalie Riley Morris was determined to achieve his first career SPHL win, saving 30 of Macon’s 31 shots. Pensacola tacked on a couple more goals to end the Monday matinee with a 7-1 score.
The Mayhem will have a couple more chances against this Pensacola squad this weekend before they return to the Macon Coliseum this Sunday at 4pm for “Tighty Whitey Toss” benefitting Depaul USA’s Daybreak Day Resource Center. Bring nonperishables to donate in the lobby before the game then new and unused underwear to throw out during intermission. Tickets and more information are available at maconmayhem.com.
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