MACON, Ga. – On the surface, this season seems more of the same for fans that follow the Macon Mayhem closely.

At the midpoint of December, Macon is being guided by a first-year head coach with a roster less-seasoned SPHL than most others in the league.

Add to the fact that the Mayhem face an uphill climb to get to the postseason – twelve points out of eighth place entering Friday’s game against Roanoke, and there is a feeling of deja vu.

But things are not as they seem on the surface for Macon. Although the Mayhem sport a record of 2-11-6, signs are very present that the Mayhem, despite having one fewer win at this point than this time last year, are further along.

For starters, there’s how much time it took this team to find some footing. Last year, it was not until Nov. 27 that Macon won its first game. This year, the first weekend of November yielded that first win, a victory at Fayetteville.

But it goes beyond that, as the lopsided losses have also been fewer to be seen with six losses so far by three or more goals this season, with the Mayhem having yielded more than five goals in a single game six games so far this year.

That’s also an improvement through this point last year, as by Dec. 15, Macon had lost nine games by three or more goals and had given up five or more goals in a game seven times.

When new faces are on scoring lines, meshing with those players can be challenging. None of Macon’s top eight scorers were with the Mayhem last year, with the team leaders with 11 points being CJ Hayes and Tommy Municheillo. Though Macon’s scoring punch has had its lulls this year that have helped result in a league-low 36 goals, Macon has not been punchless on the offensive end, scoring two or more times in a game 11 times, three more than this time last year.

No place like home…for now

The schedule giveth, the schedule taketh away.

Macon continues a ten-game span of all but one game at home through the end of December this weekend, with Roanoke in town for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday.

Check out this weekend’s jerseys – Merry Grinch-mas 🎄

🎟️: https://t.co/Ne1HFpEa4D#BattleEveryShift | DASH Auction | Field Pass Hockey pic.twitter.com/m5YbI4aqyw

— Macon Mayhem (@MaconMayhem) December 15, 2022

In addition, Birmingham and Knoxville are in town next Thursday and Friday. That’s the good scheduling news. The bad? After Dec. 31, the Mayhem won’t play at home again until Feb. 24.

If the Mayhem are to make anything out of home-ice advantage in a push for the playoffs, these next few weeks are a golden chance.

Transaction updates

The Mayhem’s proximity to the newest ECHL team, the Savannah Ghost Pirates, continues to give Savannah a convenient option when in need to fill roster spots. Forward Rhett Kingston is back with Macon after being loaned there Dec. 8, and another forward, Tory McLean was loaned to Savannah earlier this week. The Mayhem also added center Brett Radford earlier this week, as well.

🚨 SIGNED: Macon Mayhem add Brett Radford to the lineup just before this weekend's games. Welcome to Macon, Brett! #BattleEveryShift pic.twitter.com/7g3nOo3hPj

— Macon Mayhem (@MaconMayhem) December 14, 2022