There are two quick ways to win over hockey fans: score and fight.
Though, as Augusta Lynx coach Stan Drulia said, "more so the fight."
Phil Cole scored a goal first and then got into a fight at the end of the first period Thursday to easily win over the 3,018 fans at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center. The defenseman on loan from the AHL's Albany River Rats added an assist on Todd Bennett's game-winner in the Lynx's 3-1 win against the South Carolina Stingrays.
Drulia got word at 8 a.m. Thursday that he needed to find a flight for Cole, who played with the Lynx right before the holiday break two weeks ago.
"I kept my phone by my bed all night hoping I'd get the call," Drulia said.
He ended up getting the call from general manager Paul Gamsby after he got the civic center. Drulia found Cole a flight and the defenseman got on a plane in Albany at noon Thursday and was greeted by new teammate Jarrett Thompson at 5:55 p.m. He arrived at the civic center about 20 minutes later and suited up.
After the game it looked like Cole might fall asleep before even leaving the rink.
"I'll probably sleep until about 2 o'clock," Cole said.
He said he'll probably get up just in time to catch the bus for the trip to Florence, S.C., to play the Pee Dee Pride. The Lynx are just happy he made it town in time.
"He came in ready," goaltender Jason Saal said. "He's a big asset."
Cole's not the only one. Saal had an impressive night in front of the net for the Lynx in his first game back following a Dec. 11 injury. The veteran recorded 39 saves to improve to 6-7-2.
As a team, the Lynx (9-15-3) have picked up five of a possible six points following a seven-game losing streak that carried them into the holiday break.
South Carolina (12-13-3), meanwhile, has not won in four games.
Cole got the Lynx started offensively with a short-handed goal from Louis Goulet.
"I don't usually get those opportunities," Cole said. "I just buried my head and fired it."
It went in and gave the Lynx their first lead after one period at home since Augusta beat South Carolina 4-1 on Nov. 30. That was also the last time the Lynx won at home.
South Carolina tied the game about 5 minutes into the second period, but the Lynx came back. With 3:17 left in the period, Cole helped the Lynx strike again.
A shot from Cole bounced off goaltender Maxime Daigneault right to Todd Bennett, who gave the Lynx a 2-1 lead.
Bennett added an assist to his scoring tally with 14 seconds left when he found Goulet in front of an empty net to give the Lynx their final 3-1 advantage.
For a team that has given up several last-minute goals this season, that extra score made the final 14 seconds go a lot smoother.
Reach Kristy Shonka at (706) 823-3216 or kristy.shonka@augustachronicle.com.
STARS OF THE GAME: Goaltender Jason Saal returned from an injury to make 39 saves and get the win for the Lynx. Defenseman Phil Cole arrived in Augusta about an hour before the game and notched a goal and an assist for the Lynx.
TURNING POINT: Todd Bennett found Louis Goulet in front of an empty net to put the Lynx up by two with 14 seconds left.
PLUS: The Lynx won for only the third time at home.
TONIGHT: Lynx at Pee Dee Pride, 6:05
Game stats:
South Carolina010-1
Augusta111-3
First period: 1, Augusta, Cole 1 (Goulet, Cronin) 9:13 (sh). Penalties-Olynich, SC (cross-checking) 5:23; Shepherd, AUG (roughing) 5:23; Dzieduszycki, AUG (slashing) 9:00; Tenute, SC (boarding) 9:21; Spiewack, SC (roughing) 11:18; Bennett, AUG (hooking) 17:07; Spiewack, SC (high sticking) 18:37; Peverley, SC (10-minute misconduct) 18:37; Jarram, SC (roughing, fighting) 18:46; Cole, AUG (fighting) 18:46.
Second period: 2, South Carolina, Tenute 14 (Courtenay, Reid) 4:25. 3, Augusta, Bennett 5 (Cole, Goulet) 16:43. Penalties-Passmore, AUG (interference) 17:30; Connolly, AUG (high sticking) 19:36.
Third period: 4, Augusta, Goulet 6 (Bennett, Dzieduszycki) 19:46. Penalties-Sandback, AUG (fighting) 4:07; Shepherd, AUG (roughing) 4:07; Cronin, AUG (fighting) 4:07; Jickling, SC (fighting) 4:07; Kiser, SC (fighting) 4:07; Saal, AUG (roughing) 9:26; Lewis, SC (holding) 10:08; King, AUG (tripping) 15:00.
Shots on goal: South Carolina 6-12-22-40, Augusta 12-13-5-30. Power-play opportunities: South Carolina 0-for-7, Augusta 0-for-3. Goalies: South Carolina-Daigneault (29-27; L, 4-5-0); Augusta-Saal (40-39; W, 6-7-2). Referee: Chris Brown. Linesmen: Terry Wicklum, Todd Owen. A: 3,018.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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