Scoring streak comes to end

Six different Augusta Lynx players recorded a point in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Louisiana, but Sean Connolly was not one of them.

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It was the first time the defenseman's name was absent from the box score since Nov. 19.

From Nov. 20 through Dec. 3, Connolly scored at least one point in eight consecutive games. The three goals and nine assists he recorded during that stretch helped him break former Lynx player and coach David Wilkie's defenseman's record of seven straight games with a point.

Connolly had one assist before the streak began and is now fifth on the team with 10 points.

PUNCHING WITH POWER: The Lynx scored two power-play goals against Louisiana on Saturday – the first the IceGators had given up on the road all season.

Those two goals helped the Lynx to a 4-for-14 (28.6 percent) effort on the power play last week. That's twice as good as they've done on the year (13-for-91, 14.3 percent).

The Lynx have improved from 26th in the 28-team ECHL on Nov. 22 to 19th through Monday on the power play.

"The best thing they're doing is retrieving pucks in the corner," Lynx coach Stan Drulia said. "They're getting pucks, they're battling and they're getting it back to the point. When we start trying to go through seams and be fancy, we're ugly – it doesn't work."

Forward Jamie Johnson has scored 10 of his 15 points on the power play – first on the team. He has three goals and seven assists with a man-advantage.

Saal moves up league charts: Goaltender Jason Saal recorded his 18th career shutout Friday night in Columbia.

It tied the veteran with Daniel Berthiaume for second all-time in the league.

Saal needs three more shutouts to tie Marc Magliarditi for first place all-time. Saal set the Lynx record last year with five shutouts in a season.

He is 2-2-0 with a 2.07 goals against average in his past four games.

He's started seven of the Lynx's past eight games through Tuesday night's game.

Back to work: Defenseman Rod Sarich was activated off the injured reserve for Sunday's game. He recorded one shot on goal and a zero plus/minus rating.

Make A Wish: The Lynx and the Make-A-Wish Foundation are teaming up this week to raise money for the foundation through its Dining for Wishes campaign. Players will be available for pictures and autographs at various local restaurants throughout the week.

Today, players will be at Wild Wing Cafe, Mellow Mushroom, 1102 Cafe, TGIFridays and Cotton Patch Cafe from 6 to 8 p.m.

For more information, visit the Lynx's Web site at www.augustalynx.com.

Reach Kristy Shonka at (706) 823-3216 or kristy.shonka@augustachronicle.com.