For Immediate Release:
November 24, 2017
ROANOKE FALLS IN KNOXVILLE, 6-2
Riley Spraggs, Nick Schneider score in loss for Dawgs
KNOXVILLE, TN – The Knoxville Ice Bears scored five times in the first period and never trailed as they defeated the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, 6-2, Friday night at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. Riley Spraggs and Nick Schneider each scored for Roanoke in the loss.
The Ice Bears struck first just under five minutes into the game. Danny Cesarz threw a pass to the slot that bounced off a Roanoke skate and deflected past Ryan de Melo, giving Knoxville a 1-0 advantage.
It added to that lead later in the period while working on a power play. Evan Neugold fired a slap shot that navigated traffic and beat a screened de Melo to push it to 2-0. The Ice Bears poured it on late in the period as Cesarz got another one with just over three minutes to play. Chris Izmirlian beat de Melo on the ensuing shift to extend the advantage to 4-0 and force Roanoke to make a goaltending change.
Brad Barone entered in goal for the Dawgs but wasn’t able to quell the momentum as Tommy Kelly fired a shot that squirted through to push the lead to 5-0. Knoxville scored three times in 63 seconds of game time and took a commanding lead entering the second period.
The Ice Bears padded their lead in the second on a Josh Erickson goal. Roanoke ensured that it would not be shut out with a pair in the third period, first when Schneider hammered home a rebound after a Mike Moroso shot. Spraggs capitalized on a delayed penalty with a snap shot from the right wing that cut the deficit down to 6-2 in the final minute of the game.
Roanoke fell to 3-6-1 with the loss while Knoxville improved to 6-3-1. The Rail Yard Dawgs will continue their road swing on Saturday night in Fayetteville against the Marksmen. Puck drop at the Crown Coliseum is scheduled for 6:00 PM
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