ROANOKE RAIL YARD DAWGS vs FAYETTEVILLE MARKSMEN

PRESEASON GAME

7:05 PM

Haley Toyota Rail Yard Dawgs Hockey Network

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GAME NOTES

DRESS REHEARSAL: For the first time in their brief history, the Rail Yard Dawgs will participate in a preseason game. Roanoke has gone through its two previous training camps without an exhibition

LAST SEASON: Roanoke and Fayetteville were common foes in 2017-18 as they faced off 13 times. The Rail Yard Dawgs dominated the season series to the tune of a 9-4-0 record. Roanoke was especially dominant on the road; it went 5-1-0 at the Crown Coliseum last season.

BETWEEN THE PIPES: Reigning SPHL goaltender of the year Brad Barone is back in Roanoke and presumed to be the go-to goalie to open the season. The Dawgs additionally have three rookie netminders in camp attempting to earn a roster spot, Tanner Creel, Jacob Caffrey and Ryan Mulder.

BEHIND THE BENCH: Dan Bremner begins his first full season as Rail Yard Dawgs head coach. He was hired as the Dawgs bench boss on December 19, 2017 following the dismissal of Sam Ftorek with Roanoke’s record sitting at 5-11-2. Bremner coached 38 games and his team went 21-15-2, vaulting the Dawgs into their first postseason appearance in franchise history.

THE SUPPORT STAFF: Dan Bremner will be assisted by first-year assistant coach Michael Harris, who enters his first year as a professional coach and his second overall. Harris was hired along with Bremner as a graduate assistant coach at Ohio University before the 2017-18 season and helped the team to a 27-9-3 record. Roanoke also has a new equipment manager; Tyler Sands replaces Gavin Bechtol who took a job with the ECHL’s Rapid City Rush. Sands spent the last three seasons working for Liberty University Hockey. Athletic trainer Travis Johns is back for his third season with the Dawgs.

DAWGS IN THE ECHL: Two players under contract with the Rail Yard Dawgs made ECHL rosters out of training camp; John Gustafsson will open with the Norfolk Admirals and Cam Bakker with the South Carolina Stingrays. Both are making their ECHL debuts.

AROUND THE SPHL: Every team except for the Macon Mayhem and Evansville Thunderbolts is in action for a preseason game on Saturday night. Macon was scheduled to host Fayetteville on Friday, a game that was canceled due to inclement weather from Hurricane Matthew. Macon and Evansville are the only teams that will not play a preseason game this weekend.

A DIFFERENT VIEW: Dan Bremner and Michael Harris will watch Saturday’s preseason game from above the ice. Steve Mele and Brad Barone will not play and instead will run things from behind the bench.

UP NEXT: The Rail Yard Dawgs will begin their regular season on the road in Fayetteville against the Marksmen on Friday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Crown Coliseum.