Two weeks into the ECHL season, the Augusta Lynx (3-3-1-0) have already run the gamut between terrible performances and high-quality hockey.

A shootout win at Gwinnett and five consecutive goals in less than two periods at Elmira are two of the team's highlights. A season-opening loss at home and Friday night's 5-0 shutout loss in Charlotte, N.C., mark the low points.

Lynx first-year head coach John Marks said he isn't entirely satisfied with seven points in the first seven games, but he also admitted it's not bad for a temporarily homeless hockey team.

"When you think about it, we haven't been able to practice much," Marks said.

The Lynx were kept from practicing again on Monday because of the unavailability of ice at Augusta's only two rinks. The ice at James Brown Arena has been covered with dirt for almost two weeks as the National Barrel Horse Association World Championships occupied the arena. The other option, the Augusta Ice Sports Center, has been shut down for more than three months for renovations.

The predicament has forced the Lynx to either borrow ice time from out-of-town arenas or make day trips to Irmo, S.C., which houses the closest available ice rink.

"I'm happy with (Lynx general manager and co-owner) Dan (Troutman) and the ownership allowing us to go to Columbia, but that gets expensive," Marks said. "We've got to bear with that for now until we get some ice."

The Lynx left Monday for their Wednesday night game in Mississippi so they could work in a practice on the Sea Wolves' ice today. Once they return to Augusta, the Lynx should have ice available for a Thursday practice before Friday's home game.

NEW CAPTAIN: With Aaron Slattengren 's departure to the American Hockey League last week, the Lynx named a new team captain. Assistant captain Tim Branham , a defenseman in his fifth ECHL season, will wear the "C" on his jersey, while center Dallas Steward was voted in to join Chris Brooks as assistant captains.

"Obviously, I'm honored to be chosen, and I'm up to the challenge," Branham said. "We have a lot of new players, and we're a young team, so it's going to take a while to jell."

Branham hasn't played for the Lynx since suffering an injury in the Oct. 25 game in Elmira, N.Y. He said Monday he wasn't sure if he'd be available for Wednesday's game in Mississippi.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Marks said the 5-0 score in Charlotte on Friday night made the Lynx's loss look worse than it really was. The key statistic that made the difference came on special teams. The Checkers converted three of 10 power-play opportunities and added another score on a shorthanded goal.

"(Special) teams are going to be huge," Marks said. "We've got to stay out of the penalty box. We've got to cut down our penalties to four or five a game."

BACK HOME: The Lynx will return to James Brown Arena for a pair of division games this weekend. The ECHL South Division-leading Charlotte Checkers (5-2-0-0, 10 points) will come to Augusta on Friday, and the fifth-ranked South Carolina Stingrays (3-2-0-0, 6 points) will visit on Sunday for a 4 p.m. game.

The Lynx, with seven points, entered the week tied for second in the division with the Florida Everblades and Mississippi Sea Wolves.

IN THE NHL: Former Lynx defenseman Brett Skinner's time in Augusta was short. He only played five games in the 2006-07 season as he passed through the ECHL on his way to the top. But he wore the Lynx sweater and now is in the NHL. The 25-year-old lefty played his first NHL game last week for the New York Islanders.

Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.