Newcomer can't give Lynx a win

The American Hockey League's Albany River Rats have been good to the Augusta Lynx this season.

The two teams have no formal affiliation agreement, but the River Rats have sent four players to the Lynx so far.

"It's worked out well for us," Lynx coach Stan Drulia said.

First, they sent the Lynx forward Ken Magowan, who will represent Augusta in the ECHL All-Star Game, and goaltender Matus Kostur, who gives starter Jason Saal an experienced backup.

Then, the Lynx got defenseman Phil Cole, whose first stint was brief, but when he returned last week he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick in his first game back.

The team's most recent Albany acquisition is forward Eric Johansson, who played his first game with the Lynx on Friday against the Gwinnett Gladiators.

The center celebrated his 23rd birthday and Lynx debut with a pair of goals.

Johansson's second goal came with less than 2 minutes to go in the game and gave the Lynx a one-goal lead, but Brad Schell responded a minute later for Gwinnett to tie the game.

A shootout followed a scoreless overtime and Chris Durno netted the game-winner on Gwinnett's second try. Four Lynx shooters failed to score, giving the Gladiators a 5-4 win at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

The Lynx (10-16-4, 24 points) still pick up a point in the standings and have the chance to get the Gladiators (17-9-4, 38 points) back tonight in Gwinnett.

Similar to Cole's first home game last week - when the defenseman had to fly from Albany and play in Augusta the same day - Johansson's journey here was an exhausting one.

"The poor kid didn't arrive until 5 o'clock," Drulia said of Johansson. "He drove all day yesterday and drove all day today. I met him at 5:30-5:35, and he said, 'I can give you what I've got.' "

What he had helped the Lynx score four goals for the third consecutive game. That happened despite the fact Drulia had to shake his lines up with the addition of Johansson.

"I wasn't sure what to expect out of Johansson (Friday) and where to put him and how he would fit in and how his legs would be and things like that," Drulia said.

NOTES: The Lynx activated defenseman Rod Sarich from injured reserve. ...

The ECHL announced Friday that Lynx director of broadcasting and public relations Tom Callahan will join Magowan at the All-Star Game on Jan. 26 in Reading, Pa.

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

STAR OF THE GAME: Forward Eric Johansson scored two goals in his first game with the Lynx on his 23rd birthday. He was assigned Thursday from the Albany River Rats of the AHL.

TURNING POINT: After Johansson's second goal gave the Lynx a 4-3 lead with less than 2 minutes to go in the game, the Gladiators tied it with 36 seconds left and an extra skater.

PLUS: The Lynx wanted to have at least eight points in their first six games after Christmas - and with a 3-1-2 record during that time, that's what they've got.

MINUS: The Lynx gave up two goals in about a minute in the first period to fall into an early 2-0 hole.