For Immediate Release:
November 4, 2017
ROANOKE OUTGUNNED BY EVANSVILLE, 5-2
Viktor Tiutchenko scores first professional goal
ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs managed two power play goals but were defeated by the Evansville Thunderbolts, 5-2, Saturday night at the Berglund Center. Roanoke was outshot, 59-28, in the losing effort.
The Thunderbolts got the scoring started in the first when Justin MacDonald found the puck on a rebound following a scramble in front of the Dawgs net. He tucked it in for a shorthanded goal and the Dawgs trailed 1-0 after the first period.
Evansville wasted no time in extending its lead in the second when a stretch pass from Tyler Vankleef made its way to Nick D’Avolio on the right wing. D’Avolio walked in and buried the breakaway chance, pushing the lead to 2-0.
The Dawgs fought back a few minutes later while working on the power play. Viktor Tiutchenko received a pass in the slot from Evan Schultz and slung it past Tomas Sholl, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Evansville retaliated late in the second period when Jackson Leef stepped out from behind the net and put a shot past Brad Barone. The late goal gave the Bolts a 3-1 lead going into the second intermission.
The Thunderbolts carried momentum into the third as Dave Williams notched their fourth goal on an odd-man rush about six minutes into the period. Shortly thereafter, the Thunderbolts grabbed their fifth goal of the game when Leef managed to put the puck past Barone.
Roanoke cut into the deficit later in the period while working on a 5-on-3 power play. Mitchell Mueller teed up Travis Armstrong for a one-timer that beat Sholl and made the score 5-2.
Tiutchenko’s goal was his first as a pro and Riley Spraggs and Evan Schultz each extended their point streaks to four games. Barone made 42 saves on 47 shots to take the loss. Ryan de Melo entered for the final 11 minutes and stopped all 12 shots he faced.
Evansville improved to 3-2-1 with the win while the Dawgs dropped to 1-3-0. Roanoke will return to action on Friday night against the Mississippi RiverKings at the Berglund Center. It’s Claude Piche Tribute night with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 PM
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