Havoc Rally Late, Fall to IceCats 3-2 in Overtime

Havoc Rally Late, Fall to IceCats 3-2 in Overtime

FLORENCE, S.C. — The Huntsville Havoc battled back from a two-goal deficit Saturday night, but the Pee Dee IceCats came away with a 3-2 overtime win in front of 4,307 fans at the Florence Center. The win marked the first in IceCats SPHL history, while Huntsville finished opening weekend with four of a possible six points. Huntsville entered the game with just four defensemen dressed, forcing forward Connor Fries to pitch in and play back on the blue line.  Pee Dee got off to a quick start. Filip Hlavac opened the scoring just 1:29 into the first period, rifling a shot from the right point past Alex Proctor. Danil Federov and Denis Zaichyk assisted. Federov added another at 15:58, poking in a loose puck after an awkward bounce in front. Evan Beers picked up the assist, and the IceCats took a 2-0 lead after one. The Havoc responded with a strong second period, outshooting Pee Dee 15-5, but couldn’t get one past goaltender Parker Rutherford. Huntsville also killed off a Ben Schultheis slashing penalty to keep the deficit at two heading into the third. Huntsville finally broke through at 8:21 of the third when Jack Jaunich went top shelf for his first goal of the season. Dawson Sciarrino and Craig McCabe picked up the assists. With time running out, Austin Alger came through again. He knifed a bouncing puck past Rutherford with 2:25 left in regulation, tying the game at 2-2. Keighan Gerrie and Michael Hodge assisted, giving Alger his second goal in as many games. Both goaltenders made key stops late in regulation, sending the game to overtime. The IceCats ended it at 5:53 of the seven-minute, 3-on-3 overtime when Colin Callanan hammered a one-timer from the right circle off a pass from Kaydn Fennell. Huntsville finished with a 30-19 advantage in shots, led by Landry Schmuck with six. Proctor made 16 saves, while Rutherford stopped 28 for Pee Dee. The Havoc also killed off both IceCats power plays, finishing the weekend a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. The Havoc return home for their home opener against the Pensacola Ice Flyers on Friday, October 23 at Polaris Ice at the Propst Arena, before heading to the Pensacola Bay Center for a rematch on Saturday, October 24.