Marksmen Snap Streak as Dawgs Fall 3–2 in Physical Rivalry Battle (1-17-25)

By: Joey Raymond

Headline Photo Credit: Katie Raymond-LMS Network

The Dawgs’ run of dominance over Fayetteville finally came to an end Saturday night, as the Marksmen battled their way to a 3–2 road victory in a chippy, physical rivalry matchup at the Berglund Center. After winning seven straight meetings in the season series, Roanoke couldn’t quite complete another comeback, as Fayetteville held on late to secure its first win over the Dawgs since early November.

The tone for the night was set almost immediately, with special teams and physical play taking center stage from the opening puck drop. Just 30 seconds into the game, Fayetteville’s Shane Murphy was whistled for hooking, sending Roanoke to an early power play. Despite the advantage, neither team found much rhythm early, as the opening minutes were marked by sloppy play, frequent whistles, and multiple penalties on both sides.

Midway through the period, the Marksmen capitalized during a four-on-three power play when Blake Humphrey snapped a shot past the Roanoke netminder to open the scoring and give Fayetteville a 1–0 lead. The Marksmen added a second goal later in the frame, credited to Ryan Lieth, to briefly put Roanoke on its heels.

The Dawgs, however, responded with urgency. Joe Widmar sparked the comeback with a quick strike off the rush, burying a shot to cut the deficit to one. With just over five minutes remaining in the period, Fayetteville took a cross-checking penalty, and Roanoke made them pay immediately. Widmar struck again on the power play, this time tying the game at 2–2 and sending the teams into the intermission deadlocked.

The second period offered little in the way of scoring chances, but no shortage of intensity. The highlight — and lowlight — came in the final seconds of the frame when a massive fight broke out between Fayetteville’s Blake Holmes and Roanoke’s Khristian Acosta. With just eight seconds remaining, both players were sent to the locker room, punctuating an already heated rivalry contest.

Fayetteville regained the lead early in the third period when winger Shane Murphy ripped a shot off the top of the net to make it 3–2. The Dawgs pushed back throughout the remainder of the frame, but sustained pressure proved difficult to come by in a period filled with penalties, stoppages, and lengthy discussions at the scorer’s table.

At the 11:34 mark, tempers flared again as Olivier Beaudoin and Sam Dabrowski were each assessed minors for roughing, leading to four-on-four play. Both teams returned to full strength without incident, and Roanoke continued searching for the equalizer.

A late holding penalty against the Dawgs briefly swung momentum back toward Fayetteville, but Roanoke’s penalty kill stood tall. Moments later, the Marksmen were called for a penalty of their own, giving the Dawgs another opportunity on the power play, though Fayetteville successfully killed it off.

With 2:03 remaining, Roanoke pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker, but the Dawgs were unable to convert on their late push. Fayetteville closed things out defensively to secure the 3–2 win, snapping Roanoke’s seven-game winning streak in the rivalry.

Despite the loss, the Dawgs remain firmly in control of the season series and will look to quickly regroup as the rivalry continues to deliver physical, hard-fought hockey every time these two teams meet.