Goals by duo were overdue

Ken Magowan, Eric Johansson and Todd Bennett combined for five goals and six assists in Saturday's and Sunday's games.

But Tuesday in practice, the Augusta Lynx forwards couldn't find the back of an empty net with sprints on the line.

"We couldn't get the puck in the net and we were really tired, but it was all in good fun," Magowan said.

"I think we needed the extra skate, anyway."

The other two forward lines and the defense managed to accomplish the drill in one or two tries, while Johansson, Magowan, Bennett and goaltender Jason Saal - who picked the wrong line to skate with - all missed before Johansson finally ended the drill.

"We want to save them for the game when the goalie's in net," said Johansson, trying to excuse his way out of the line's comedic showing.

They might have generated a few laughs Tuesday, but Johansson and Magowan didn't struggle nearly as bad with a goalie in place over the weekend. They both beat Greenville goalie Jeff Deslauriers on Saturday, snapping a three-week goal drought for Johansson and a nearly five-week drought for Magowan. And then Johansson scored twice and Magowan added one goal in Sunday's battle with Charlotte goaltender Alex Westlund (Augusta won 6-4).

Both said Saturday's goals lifted the proverbial monkey off their backs and they look to continue their scoring ways this weekend.

Magowan's goal Sunday briefly gave him sole possession of the team lead with 15, until Matt Dzieduszycki capped off a hat trick on an empty net to tie him.

Dzieduszycki's four-goal, one-assist performance last week earned him runner-up honors in the ECHL Player of the Week race.

Johansson has eight goals in 19 games since the AHL's Albany River Rats assigned him to the Lynx.

THE PLAYOFF RACE: The Lynx earned five of a possible six points this past weekend, but lost ground to Greenville on Saturday, thanks to a Grrrowl goal with 3.8 seconds left in the third period. Greenville (24-18-4, 52 points) won the game in overtime to improve its lead on the Lynx (17-24-7, 41 points) to 11 points in the American Conference race.

A three-game winning streak propelled Greenville above the Gwinnett Gladiators (22-14-7, 51 points), who now holds the eighth and final playoff spot, which the Lynx are chasing.

STREAK OVER: Forward Jamie Johnson saw his scoring streak end at eight games when he failed to record a point Saturday. Johnson scored five goals and had five assists during the streak.

He leads the Lynx with 37 assists and 51 points and is fourth in points and tied for second in assists in the ECHL.

INJURY UPDATE: Lynx coach Stan Drulia said he expects defenseman John Cronin to return from a knee injury Feb. 25 at Gwinnett. Fellow blueliner Steve Munn is a possibility for that date, but Drulia said March 4 in Columbia is a more likely return date.

Forward Jarrett Thompson, who has already missed 28 games this season because of two separate injuries, suffered a third setback Sunday. Drulia said Thompson had tests done Monday, but as of Tuesday afternoon, he was still waiting to hear the results.

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