Lynx push Pride aside

Colt King had Augusta Lynx fans at a fever pitch as an official escorted him off the ice.

The usually reserved rookie pumped his arms and flipped a glove onto the ice as the 3,080 fans in attendance Saturday at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center sto mped their feet, clapped their hands and yelled in a approval.

"I'm not a showboat at all," King said. "I try to be humble and I don't want to be a flashy player or draw attention to myself, but I think that the boys worked hard tonight. The fans have been here through thick and thin and they deserved something, so I just tried to pump them up a little more. Get them to come back to the next game."

And when you score two goals, notch two assists and win a fight, a little showboating is allowed. Especially when your team had all but finished off a 6-2 win against the Pee Dee Pride.

The Lynx got the best of goaltender Nick Boucher and the Pride for the first time in six tries this season. King's second goal of the night chased Boucher just 26 seconds into the second period with the Lynx winning 4-1.

"We got some tight in shots," Lynx coach Stan Drulia said. "We were just able to beat him tonight."

It was the Lynx's third win in a row, improving their record to 19-24-7 with 45 points ñ just eight points behind the Pride (25-23-3, 53 points) for the American Conference's final playoff spot. Goaltender Jason Saal stopped 30 shots to earn his 14th win of the season and improve his record to.500.

But Saturday's game was more about the offense. One night after penalties ruled the box score, the Lynx tied their season high for goals in a game. They totaled 18 points, with forwards King, Jamie Johnson and Matt Dzieduszycki recording 11 of those, including five goals.

"I think everyone's finally starting to come together," John¤son said. "We just can't get too far ahead of ourselves. That week¤end's over now."

Next weekend includes a home and home series against Gwinnett (24-16-7, 55 points) and a Sunday rematch against Greenville (26-20-4, 56 points), who the Lynx traded blows with Friday night en route to a 3-0 win.

Drulia tried to keep Saturday's game from coming to that with a 3-1 first-period lead and a short bench, but in the third period, the Pride forced the issue.

Pee Dee defenseman Thierry Douville tried to get through an official to get King, who was also restrained by an official. Douville couldn't get free, so Eric Naud attacked King instead.

"Obviously I'm going to stick up for myself in that case," King said. "If he's going to try to run around and be an idiot, I'm the one to put him in his place."

Much to the fans delight.

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

Star of the game: Rookie Colt King recorded his first career two-goal game and also set a career high with four points for the Lynx.

Turning point: Jamie Johnson's goal in the final minute of the first period proved to be the game-winner.

Plus: The Lynx won three games in a row for the first time since games three through five of the season.

Minus: Forward Dan Sullivan dressed but did not play because of a wrist injury and defenseman Lawne Snyder left the game mid-way through the second with a shoulder injury, leaving the Lynx down two skaters.

Next game: 7:35 p.m. Friday, Lynx at Gwinnett