For Immediate Release:
February 3, 2018
RAIL YARD DAWGS COME FROM BEHIND, DOWN ICE BEARS IN OT, 3-2
Eric Witzel nets game-winner in overtime
KNOXVILLE, TN – The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs came from behind to erase a 2-1 deficit as they defeated the Knoxville Ice Bears in overtime, 3-2, Saturday night at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. Eric Witzel buried the game-winning goal in overtime to end it for the Dawgs.
With the Dawgs trailing 2-1 late in the second period, Riley Spraggs forced a turnover in the attacking zone. He fired a shot from inside the left-wing circle that Matt Beer deflected past Troy Davenport to tie the game at two.
Following a scoreless third period, Roanoke and Knoxville entered three-on-three overtime. Just over a minute into the OT period, Phil Bronner fed Eric Witzel over the blue line. He carried it into the high slot and ripped a wrister that sailed past Davenport for the game-winning goal.
The win pushed the Rail Yard Dawgs record in overtime games to 9-3.
Roanoke got on the board first in the first period while working shorthanded. Beer forced a turnover in the defensive zone and sprinted in on a breakaway. He snapped a wrister low past Davenport’s glove, giving the Dawgs a 1-0 lead.
Knoxville took its 2-1 advantage with a pair of goals in the second. Stefan Brucato deflected a Danny Cesarz slap shot past Matt Zenzola to tie it and Berkley Scott put the Ice Bears on top later with a wrist shot goal.
Zenzola made 33 saves on 35 shots to earn the victory while Davenport allowed three goals on 36 shots faced. Roanoke improved to 12-19-3 with the win while the Ice Bears moved to 20-11-3.
The Rail Yard Dawgs return to action on Thursday night in Fayetteville against the Marksmen. Puck drop at the Crown Coliseum is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
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