MACON, Ga. – The Macon Mayhem have now earned a point in five of their first six games of the season following Saturday night’s 2-1 shootout loss to Pensacola.
Macon, despite having played at last four few games than any other of the five teams having opted in for the 2020-21 SPHL season, is currently fourth in the standings with a 3-1-1 record, good for eight points in the standings.
Saturday showed a common thread from every game this season in which Macon has earned a point – resilience.
As has been the case each time, Macon rallied back from behind. During the closing minutes, the Mayhem appeared to be heading toward a 1-0 regulation loss. Stephen Pierog changed that, 16:41 into the third period, getting the puck past Chase Perry on an assist from Jimmy Soper and Jordan Hall to tie it all up.
After a scoreless overtime, Pensacola’s Darren McCormick won it for Pensacola in the shootout, scoring four times.
By all measures, it was a goalie’s duel in Pensacola with both Macon’s Jake Theut and Pensacola’s Perry keeping it scoreless through two periods. The Ice Flyers Zach Walker broke the stalemate 11:22 into the third.
Theut’s 39 saves and .975 save percentage on Saturday were a season-best. For Perry, who appears to be taking over the No. 1 spot in the Pensacola goalie rotation, he has how given up one goal in his past three games, also including Friday’s 4-1 win over Birmingham.
The game was close to even beyond just the numbers of goals. Penalty minutes were even at 16 on both sides, and the Ice Flyers held a 41-39 shots on goal edge.
Three Stars
Chase Perry, Pensacola – 38 saves. He’s second of all SPHL goalies in GAA (2.27) and save percentage (9.22).
Jake Theut, Macon – His 1.76 GAA and .933 save percentage leads the SPHL.
Darren McCormick – Scored four shootout goals to deliver the win for Pensacola. He’s tied for fifth in the SPHL in points with nine.
Ice Chips
Macon’s getting balanced offensive production so far, with 13 of the Mayhem’s goals coming from seven different skaters…Macon’s penalty kill rates second in the league at 94 percent…Macon is scheduled to play Pensacola again in a three games in a row stretch in February, playing at the Pensacola Bay Center on Feb. 12, 14 and 19.
What’s next?
The Mayhem are scheduled to play their first home game since Jan. 3 on Friday when they host Knoxville on Friday and Birmingham a night later. Macon won’t play at home again until Feb. 20.
