For Immediate Release:
November 25, 2017
DAWGS EDGE MARKSMEN IN OVERTIME, 3-2
Riley Spraggs Nets Game-Winner for Roanoke
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Riley Spraggs buried the game-winning goal just 23 seconds into the extra period as the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs edged the Fayetteville Marksmen in overtime, 3-2, Saturday night at the Crown Coliseum. Ryan de Melo made 36 saves for the Dawgs in the winning effort.
Roanoke lost the opening faceoff of the overtime period and Mike Moroso lost an edge on the forecheck. He sprinted back in transition as the Marksmen put a shot on net that de Melo blocked. The rebound caromed toward center ice where Moroso fought for possession and batted the puck into the Dawgs attacking zone. Marksmen goaltender Michael Santaguida left his net to race for the puck but Spraggs beat him to it. He poked the puck to the right, gathered himself and slung it into the open net, giving the Dawgs a 3-2 overtime victory.
Spraggs’ goal was his seventh of the season and the Dawgs win pushed their overtime record to 4-1.
The Rail Yard Dawgs and Marksmen played scoreless hockey until early in the second period. Dmytro Babenko intercepted a Fayetteville pass and found himself alone in front of Santaguida. He sniped a wrist shot over the glove-catching side and the Dawgs took a 1-0 lead.
Roanoke added to that advantage later in the middle frame just as a power play expired. Spraggs carried the puck into the corner and set up Paul Russell streaking toward the net. Russell chipped the puck past Santaguida for his first professional goal and the Rail Yard Dawgs led it, 2-0.
Both of Fayetteville’s goals came in the third, first when Max Cook fed John Schiavo with a beautiful pass in front. Schiavo tucked it in for the goal to put Fayetteville on the board. The Marksmen forced overtime with just over four minutes to go in the third on a shorthanded slap shot from Kyle McNeil that snuck through de Melo, tying the game at two.
Spraggs was named the number one star after recording a goal and an assist, de Melo stopped 36 of the 38 shots he faced and Russell recorded a game-high seven shots on goal along with his first professional marker.
The Rail Yard Dawgs improved to 4-6-1 with the OT victory while Fayetteville moved to 4-7-2. Roanoke will hit the ice next on Friday in Southaven against the Mississippi RiverKings. Puck drop at the Landers Center is scheduled for 7:00 PM CST, 8:00 PM EST.
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