Huntsville Converted While Roanoke Could Not, Sealing The Shootout Victory (3-8-26)

By: Joey Raymond 

Headline Photo Credit: 3780 Media-LMS Network

Roanoke, VA – The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs battled through a physical, penalty-filled contest on the road but ultimately fell to the Huntsville Havoc in a shootout after neither side could find the back of the net through regulation or overtime.

Despite the loss, Roanoke received an outstanding performance in net from Gabe Rosek and a strong night on the penalty kill to force the extra session.

First Period

The opening period set the tone for what would become a chippy night between the two teams.

The first penalty of the game came when Roanoke’s Matt Dorsey was called for cross-checking, sending Huntsville to the power play. The Dawgs’ penalty kill stepped up immediately, shutting down the Havoc without allowing much of a threat.

Moments later Huntsville gave Roanoke its first opportunity with the man advantage when Graig McCabe was called for boarding. Huntsville’s penalty kill matched Roanoke’s effort, keeping the Dawgs off the board.

Tempers began to flare shortly after. A scuffle broke out between Roanoke’s Bryce Martin and Huntsville’s Austin Agler. Agler was initially called for cross-checking, but Martin responded with a slash that sent both players to the box.

The teams played four-on-four hockey as a result, but neither side could capitalize before the period came to a close.

Second Period

The middle frame began with the final 45 seconds of four-on-four play, but once again neither side generated much offensively.

Roughly four minutes into the period another scrum broke out along the boards. While it never escalated into a full fight, there was plenty of pushing and shoving. Roanoke’s John Aonso was called for cross-checking while Huntsville’s Ethan Lindsay received a roughing penalty, leading to another stretch of four-on-four hockey.

Just as those penalties expired, Huntsville handed Roanoke another chance when Cole Reginato was called for tripping, giving the Dawgs nearly a full two-minute power play. Huntsville’s penalty killers continued their strong night, successfully clearing the zone and keeping Roanoke from generating sustained pressure.

The parade to the penalty box continued later in the period. With 9:27 remaining, Roanoke’s Olivier Beaudoin was called for cross-checking to put Huntsville back on the power play. During that advantage another scrum developed, resulting in roughing penalties for Roanoke’s Bryce Martin and Huntsville’s Phil Elgstam.

Moments later Beaudoin was assessed yet another penalty—this time for roughing—giving Huntsville an additional power play opportunity. Once again, Roanoke’s penalty kill held firm and cleared the danger.

The Dawgs were called for another penalty shortly after when Matt Dorsey was whistled for roughing, but Huntsville negated its advantage with a holding penalty to Connor Galloway.

The teams skated four-on-four once again before the penalties expired and the period ended scoreless.

Third Period

The defensive battle continued deep into the third period before the next significant opportunity arrived.

With 13:20 remaining, Huntsville’s Dominick Procopio was called for cross-checking, sending Roanoke to the power play. Huntsville’s penalty kill remained perfect, however, preventing the Dawgs from breaking the deadlock.

Late in the regulation things became tense. With 3:40 left, Roanoke’s Matt Dorsey was called for interference. Just 34 seconds later Bryce Martin was sent off for hooking, giving Huntsville a lengthy two-man advantage.

The Havoc appeared poised to capitalize on the 5-on-3 opportunity, but the Dawgs received a break when Huntsville’s Charlie Risk was called for slashing, briefly reducing the advantage.

Roanoke goaltender Gabe Rosek delivered several key stops during the sequence, keeping the game scoreless. The Dawgs successfully killed off the penalties and even earned a short power play of their own once play returned to even strength.

Neither team could break through before the horn sounded, sending the game to overtime.

Overtime

The extra frame featured chances at both ends, but neither team managed to find the deciding goal, sending the contest to a shootout.

Shootout

The shootout proved to be just as tight as regulation.

Both teams converted in the opening round. Huntsville gained the edge in the second round when Roanoke missed while the Havoc scored.

Roanoke answered in the third round to keep pace, but after both teams missed in the fourth round, the shootout moved to a decisive fifth attempt.

Huntsville converted while Roanoke could not, sealing the shootout victory for the Havoc.