ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (1-2-0-6) snapped a five-game losing streak and earned their first regulation win of the season, defeating the Athens Rock Lobsters (4-0-1-2), 3-1, on Friday night at Berglund Center.
The Rock Lobsters struck first when Laz Kaebel set up the team’s points leader, Connor Galloway, who lifted a shot past Gage Alexander to give Athens an early 1-0 lead at the 14:15 mark.
Roanoke earned two power plays in the opening period, with the second coming after a Brandon Picard cross-checking penalty. The Dawgs made the most of the opportunity, as Manny Cabral ripped a shot from the blue line that Ryan Reifler redirected past Carter McPhail for his third goal of the season at 17:59, tying the game at one.
Alexander turned aside 16 of 17 shots in the opening frame as Athens held a 17-7 advantage in shots.
Roanoke took control in the second period, outshooting Athens 13-5. With just 43 seconds remaining in the frame, Zack Jones intercepted a pass just outside the crease and buried a shot past McPhail to give the Dawgs their first lead of the night, 2-1, heading into the second intermission.
It marked the first time this season Roanoke entered the third period with a lead, putting the Dawgs just 20 minutes away from their first regulation victory.
Athens earned a pair of power plays in the third but couldn’t capitalize. With just 1:41 remaining, one of Roanoke’s newest additions, Iiro Karppinen, was called for tripping, forcing the Dawgs to finish the game on the penalty kill.
The Rock Lobsters pulled McPhail for an extra skater, creating a 6-on-4 advantage. However, Alexander stood tall, making a series of acrobatic saves to preserve the lead. He finished the night with a season-high and SPHL career-high 35 saves.
Ryan Mahlmeister sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with just five seconds remaining as Roanoke secured the 3-1 win.
The Dawgs’ last two wins have come against Athens at home on October 24 and November 13.
The Dawgs remain at home this weekend to host the Athens Rock Lobsters for a pair of games. The series concludes Saturday, November 14, with a 7:05 p.m. start for Military Night, presented by Twenty-Six Defense and Sink’s Septic & Drain Services, along with 94.9 Star Country. Season tickets, ticket packages and group tickets are available through the Rail Yard Dawgs front office. Single-game tickets can be purchased online or at Berglund Center box office.
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Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs – SPHL Hockey
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