Wanted: Offense in working order

One of the items in the Augusta Lynx game notes for Friday's game detailed how uncommon it is for the Pee Dee Pride to lose a lead.

Going into Friday's game at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, the Pride had not lost a game when they:

 •  scored first;

 •  led after the first period or the second period;

 •  or were tied after the first or second periods.

There were no ties Friday. Chad Spurr scored the game's first goal at the 4:20 mark and the Pride led by a two-goals-to-none advantage after the first and the second periods.

In the third period, the Pride finished the Lynx off by scoring their third goal just 3 minutes in.

Goaltender Nick Boucher made eight saves in the period to preserve the 3-0 shutout win for the first-place Pride (13-6-2). The Lynx (7-12-6) fell to 2-6-2 at the Civic Center.

"We played OK," Lynx coach Stan Drulia said. "But we still didn't play with the passion that is necessary to win hockey games."

It's the Lynx's second shutout loss in a row, following Tuesday's listless 3-0 disaster against Louisiana. The two shutouts shared only one thing in common, though - the final score. Friday's Lynx performance had far more life and offensive activity than Tuesday's, even if the final score didn't indicate a difference.

"We still got beat 3-nothing, but it was night and day between games," Drulia said.

The Lynx narrowly outshot the Pride (34-33) but struggled to get their sticks on rebounds. On the other end, the Pride peppered goaltender Jason Saal with 33 shots - many of which came from close range.

"It's time to stop coming up with excuses and find a way," forward Matt Dzieduszycki said.

The Lynx have not scored a goal in 152 minutes, 45 seconds, dating back to the second period of Sunday's 3-1 loss at Greenville. The team record is 187:21 set last season.

"We need more finish," Drulia said. "We need more finished checks and we need more finishing on the net. And the finishing the checks will lead to more offensive opportunities."

It sounds simple enough, but lately nothing has been simple for Augusta.

The Lynx have lost four games in a row and only once during that stretch did they score more than one goal in a game.

"We've got to score," Dzieduszycki said. "That's the bottom line."

NOTE: The Lynx and Toys for Tots are asking fans to bring a stuffed animal to the game. Fans will get to donate the toy by throwing it onto the ice after the Lynx score in the first period, or during the first intermission if the Lynx don't score.

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

Game Report

STAR OF THE GAME: Pride forward Mark Mullen scored his eighth and ninth goals of the season to pad Pee Dee's early 1-0 lead.

TURNING POINT: Mullen's second goal came early in the third period and effectively ended the low-scoring Lynx's chances at a comeback.

PLUS: Lynx captain and leading scorer Louis Goulet played a regular shift after being severely limited by an injury Tuesday.

MINUS: The Lynx gave up yet another last-minute goal. This one gave the Pride a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

TONIGHT: 7:35, Charlotte at Lynx