FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Fayetteville Marksmen fell to the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, 3-2, in overtime during their home opener, splitting the two-game series.

Coming off a road victory the previous night, the Marksmen looked to maintain their perfect start to the season with a second consecutive win. Fayetteville struck first at 16:08 in the opening period, as Blake Humphrey capitalized on a rebound for the game’s first goal, assisted by Shane Murphy.

The Marksmen continued to build their lead in the second period, as Blake Humphrey tallied his second goal of the night off an assist from Lincoln Moore at 16:55 to put Fayetteville up 2-0. The period also featured two separate fights, with Marksmen defensemen Ayodele Adeniye and Roanoke’s Caden Pattison going toe to toe at 10:47 to fire up their respective teams. Later in the period, Aaron Hamel and Roanoke’s David Novotny were involved in a second fighting incident at 18:32, with both players receiving five-minute fighting majors.

The Rail Yard Dawgs battled back in the third period, with Ryan Mahlmeister finding the back of the net at 10:40, assisted by David Novotny, to cut the Marksmen’s lead. Roanoke continued to push, as Novotny tied the game at 15:10 with a goal assisted by Taurin Haddon-Harris to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Manny Cabral secured the win for Roanoke, scoring the game-winning goal off an assist from Haddon-Harris.

Fayetteville heads to Knoxville on Saturday, October 24, to open a three-game series against the Ice Bears. The puck is set to drop at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum at 7:30 pm EST.

The Marksmen return home on Thursday, October 29 to host game two against Knoxville for Haunted Hockey Night. Puck drop is set for 7 pm EST. Tickets can be purchased here: https://marksmenhockey.com/tickets/single-game/ .

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