Drulia imposes mind games to stimulate Lynx

The ECHL playoffs don't begin until April 12.

For most people in Augusta, that probably seems like an eternity away - what with the Augusta Futurity and the Masters Tournament still to go.

The same is true for the Augusta Lynx, but their distractions don't include horses or golf. The next three months are centered on winning a high percentage of their remaining 43 games. Otherwise, that April date will have no more significance than a random day in June.

In order to fight successfully through the remainder of the season, coach Stan Drulia has broken the schedule down into smaller, more manageable three-game chunks.

"We're playing a playoff series," Drulia said after Saturday's 4-3 win against the Gwinnett Gladiators. "That's the mindset of our hockey team right now. We're playing a best-of-three playoff series."

Drulia implemented this strategy with the Lynx's first game after Christmas on Dec. 26 in Charlotte. Augusta (10-16-3) won that game 5-4 to snap a seven-game losing streak and start that first "playoff series" up 1-0. The Lynx picked up a point in their overtime loss to Greenville before beating South Carolina at home to win the three-game set 2-0-1.

Not a bad way to start.

"So far it's been successful, because it's almost like we're fighting for our lives every time we go out there," said rookie forward Ken Magowan, who was named the Lynx's lone all-star representative Wednesday.

With 23 points, the Lynx sit 12 points out of a playoff spot in the American Conference and are fighting for the right to extend their season into the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

Drulia declared last Friday's loss to Pee Dee the odd-game out in order to take advantage of the more playoff-like scenario of three consecutive games against Gwinnett (16-9-4). After struggling to a 1-4-1 record against the Gladiators last year, the Lynx are off to a 2-1 start this season, winning the past two meetings.

The Lynx have the chance to improve to 3-1 this season and 2-0 this series against the Gladiators tonight at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

In the last meeting, Todd Bennett and the Lynx's power play made quick work of Gwinnett's penalty kill, which was the best in the league at the time. Bennett scored two man-advantage goals in less than two minutes to erase a 1-0 Gwinnett lead in the first period.

Sean Connolly and Matt Dzieduszycki added a goal each, and Jason Saal made 35 saves as the Lynx improved to 3-1-1 since Christmas.

The Gladiators get the Lynx on their raucous home ice for the first time since Augusta beat them in a shootout in their home opener Oct. 29 - the Lynx's first win of the season.

"They get great crowds and they really feed off of it," Bennett said. "They hit a lot there and they're a lot more aggressive at home than they are on the road. There's a big difference."

It shows in Gwinnett's 9-2-2 home record. The Lynx are one of only four teams to keep the Gladiators from earning a win at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, where they lead the league averaging 6,443 fans per game.

Augusta returns home Sunday to play host to Louisiana (14-13-3, 31 points) for its third game in three days. And that's just the beginning of a busy stretch that includes seven games in nine days and 11 games in the next 17 days.

Or, in Drulia's new method of counting, it's an opportunity to win four three-game sets.

"It's just a little preparation," Drulia said, "a little mind game with the guys to keep them focused and positive."

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

GWINNETT GLADIATORS AT AUGUSTA LYNX

AUGUSTA LYNX AT GWINNETT GLADIATORS

LOUISIANA ICEGATORS AT AUGUSTA LYNX

WHEN: 7:35 tonight, Gladiators vs. Lynx; 7:35 p.m. Saturday, Lynx vs. Gladiators; 4:05 p.m. Sunday, IceGators vs. Lynx

WHERE: Today and Sunday, Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center; Saturday, The Arena at Gwinnett Center

RADIO: WRDW-AM 1630

WEBCAST: www.augustalynx.com.

TICKETS: For Lynx home games, they are available at the door, by calling (706) 724-4423 or going online to www.ticketmaster.com.