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February 13, 2004 Greensboro's Elich atones for mistake Generals - 6 Boardwalk Bullies - 5 BY KEITH TOLBERT Special to the News & Record GREENSBORO - Matt Elich, the Greensboro Generals right-winger, is certainly no stranger to second chances. And when he got that opportunity to redeem himself in overtime against the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, he seized the moment with a breakaway goal to send the Generals to a 6-5 win Thursday night at the Greensboro Coliseum. With the Generals leading 5-4 late in the game, Elich was called for a roughing penalty, giving the Boardwalk Bullies a power play. The Bullies pulled their goalie to give them a two-man advantage and after several missed chances, the Bullies scored with 17 seconds left to send the game into overtime. But Elich, who has played in the NHL, wasn't punished for his transgression and was on the ice for his regular shift during overtime. With about three minutes to play in the extra session, Mike Bayrack took the puck away from a Bullies' player near center ice and before getting tied up was able to clear it toward the Generals zone. Elich used his speed and guile to get to the net and shoot high over Bullies goalie Jake Moreland for the game-winner. "The coach trusted me enough to put me back out there," Elich said. "It was a great pass by Mike Bayrack to chip it to an open space. The guy had a stick on me, but I had enough momentum to get by him. It was nice that I had that opportunity. It's a great feeling." The Generals fell behind 2-0 in the first period when they were outshot 19-7. The poor play was a reminder of the last time the Generals lost to the Bullies 4-0 on Pack The House night. But Generals coach Rick Adduono wasn't going to let that happen again. "I went in (between periods) the last time and tried to motivate them," Adduono said. "Tonight we made corrections to our game plan. It's hard not to panic when you're down 2-0 in your own building, but we didn't." Eric Fortier scored early in the second period to cut the lead to 2-1. Bayrack scored two straight goals in the third to give the Generals a 5-3 lead. The Generals second straight overtime win moved them within four points of Southern Division leader Columbia. The Generals now go on the road for games against Augusta, Roanoke, and Charlotte. GENERALS REPORT Generals - 6 Boardwalk Bullies - 5 INSIDER Site: Greensboro Coliseum Why the Generals won: After falling behind 2-0 In the first period, the Generals fought their way back into hand led 5-3 in the third before surrendering two late goals. But Matt Elich scored in overtime to give the Generals the win. Stars: Greensboro - Mike Bayrack two goals, three assists, Eric Fortier two goals, Geno Parrish one goal, two assists; Atlantic City - Luke Curtin one goal, one assist, Jon Cuilen two assists. The play: Bayrack fought for a puck near the center line and then pushed it toward the Greensboro zone where Elich used his speed to skate by the defender and score the game-winner. What they said: "We're building to our peak so we will have momentum going into the playoffs. - Matt Elich, Generals right-winger. Records: Greensboro 30-20-1. Atlantic City 32-11-4 |