The Augusta Lynx can't explain why they haven't played well in their white sweaters this season.

They're just trying to change it this weekend. Augusta is 3-7 at James Brown Arena so far.

"I can't explain it. I think we're a better team than that," coach Bob Ferguson said. "The only thing we can do to get the energy up is to win some more games."

With 10 of their next 13 games at home starting Friday, the Lynx are well aware of their need for a turnaround on their own ice.

"I don't want to say there is a sense of urgency, but it's definitely an important stretch," Ferguson said. "We know we can't continue to spin our wheels."

Two and a half weeks ago, the Lynx were a victory away from first place in the ECHL's South Division.

Since then, they've lost six of eight to fall to 12-13-0 and into a fifth-place tie.

"Because of the last two weeks, I think you could say we've underachieved to this point. I wouldn't have said that two weeks ago," Ferguson said. "Sitting here (now), to be 12-13, we're disappointed with that because I think we're a better team than that."

Augusta, which is eight points behind first-place Texas, opened the season with high expectations.

In the off-season, the team changed local ownership, signed Ferguson - a two-time ECHL coach of the year - to an extension and agreed to an affiliation with the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL.

With a deeper, more talented roster, the Lynx won 10 of their first 17 games - including a 9-4 mark on the road.

Since then, the team has continued to play fairly well, Ferguson said. The results simply haven't been there.

"The way we've played for the most part and the things we've done, I'd say 16 or 17 wins would be realistic," Ferguson said. "But we're 12-13. We know we have to win more hockey games if we want to be in contention to reach our ultimate goal, which is to have home ice for the playoffs."

The players are also frustrated, seemingly unable to pinpoint a problem for their inconsistency.

"I think we're playing well. It just seems like we're having four or five brain cramps a night," forward Garrett Bembridge said. "That's costing us."

Ferguson is dwelling on team defense, perhaps the most glaring problem. Augusta has allowed more goals (100) than any other team in the league and ranks last on the penalty kill.

"Maybe we'll start getting a couple of those breaks we haven't been getting and bust out," goaltender Brett Jaeger said.

The Lynx face Florida on Friday and Charlotte on Saturday at home. Augusta ranks 21st in the 25-team league in attendance, drawing 2,333 per game.