Lynx goalies passed test

Augusta Lynx defenseman Martin Lapointe remembers his first ECHL game back in 1999.

"Just as a defenseman, it's nerve-wracking, so I can't imagine the way it is for a goalie," Lapointe said. "Those guys played really well. They definitely gave us a chance to win both games, which is good."

Augusta goalies Cam Ellsworth and Trevor Cunning made their professional debuts during the weekend for the Lynx, and Augusta came out of the two games with three out of a possible four points.

"I thought we played well enough to come up with four points," coach Bob Ferguson said, "but we'll take it."

Ellsworth stopped 36 shots and was six seconds from forcing a shootout when Gwinnett's Chris Durno scored the game-winner in overtime Friday to give the Gladiators a 4-3 win. Cunning held Pensacola scoreless after giving up two goals in the first period and made 40 saves for a 3-2 win on Saturday against the Ice Pilots.

Cunning said having been released by the Ice Pilots just a few days before the game made him more nervous than motivated going into the start.

"But I did want to beat them and prove to them that I did belong in this league," he said.

"So, I think I'm happy with how everything turned out."

POWER UP: After going 0-for-16 on the power play through their first three games, the Lynx jumped from last in the league to 15th thanks to going a combined 4-for-11 in two games this past weekend. Sam Ftorek had two of those goals - one in each game - while Joe Pereira and Eric Lundberg scored one apiece.

"Our power play still needs a lot of work," Ferguson said. "We're not in mid-season form on our power play yet. It's starting to come around."

Ferguson spent an extended period of Wednesday's skate working on the power play, trying out different line combinations.

FIRST TIME'S A CHARM: Pereira missed the first four games of the season recovering from a groin injury. He wasted little time making a contribution.

With less than six minutes to go and Saturday's game against Pensacola tied at two, Pereira scored the game-winner on the power play with help from Lapointe and defenseman Shaun Fisher.

"It took me until after Christmas last year to get my first goal, so it felt good," Pereira said. "We've got a good thing going here and hopefully my goal and that win are just a sign of things to come this year."

CHANGING LINES: With the call-up of left wing Jake Riddle on Tuesday to the American Hockey League's Portland Pirates, the Lynx needed someone to fill his spot on the line with center Ryan Lang and Ftorek on the right wing. In Wednesday's practice, Brian Passmore filled that role.

Passmore, normally a center, leads the team with five points (two goals, three assists). He had four goals and eight assists in 56 games with the Lynx last season.

"Getting off to a good start the first night of the season gave me some confidence, and ever since then guys have been telling me I've been doing a good job," Passmore said. "So, I've been playing with confidence."

Passmore had two assists in the Lynx's season-opener Oct. 21, and has recorded at least one point in all but one of Augusta's games.

PROMOTIONS: The Lynx promoted Jill McVean to director of team operations and Thomas Tomlinson to director of ticket operations. McVean had served as director of ticket operations for the past three months, while Tomlinson worked in sales and marketing.

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