DELAWARE SPLITS WEEKEND AND SEASON SERIES AGAINST COLUMBUS

Columbus, GA - The River Dragons end up splitting the weekend series with the Delaware Thunder after Delaware wins 5-3 on Saturday night.

Delaware got the lone goal in the first period when a bouncing puck pinballed around the slot and got Jared Rutledge out of position for Evgenii Demin to put home into an empty net for a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes.

It was a stark contrast to the first period the previous night that featured multiple fights and five goals. Luckily for the crowd the offenses woke up in the second period instead tonight.

Columbus tied the game when Anton Lennartsson fired one across the crease during a 5-on-3 that bounced towards goal and went in over the line for a power play goal. Columbus' first since November 30.

Delaware would re-take the lead when Taylor Cutting scored his second of the weekend and third of the season on a pretty snipe from just inside the left circle and Delaware quieted the crowd.

However Columbus would respond back quickly and back-to-back. CJ Hayes blasted one past Aaron Taylor 10 seconds after the Cutting goal to re-tie the game. Then Wyatt Trumbley jumped into the next play after Hayes held the puck in at the line and before you could blink the River Dragons had their first lead of the night.

That lead would be their only one however as Delaware not only tied it up but took the lead back before the buzzer sounded to end the second period. First after a Thunder penalty had expired Evan Mackintosh led a two-on-one into the Columbus zone and fired a perfect pad pass to Brennan Young who slotted it home and the game was tied 3-3. Then with about three minutes left in the second Brandon Contratto went short side on a faceoff play against Rutledge. His power play goal went down as the eventual game-winner.

Ryan Marker would score an empty netter with about 45 seconds left in the game to give the final score of 5-3.

Columbus now looks ahead to a 3-in-3 with the Danville Dashers next weekend. Friday and Saturday in Columbus and then Sunday afternoon in Athens, GA at Akins Ford Arena in The Classic Center.

Three Stars of the Game

Brennan Young (DEL)

CJ Hayes

Taylor Cutting (DEL)