Columbus vs Mid-South | Matchup Preview (Nov 13-14)

COLUMBUS, GA - The Columbus River Dragons return to the Lair this weekend to open a home-and-home series with Delta Division rival Mid-South Monarchs. Friday's contest gets underway at 7:35 p.m. ET in Columbus before the series shifts to the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi, for an 8:00 p.m. ET puck drop on Saturday. The two-game set marks the third and fourth meetings between the clubs this season, with Columbus holding a 2-0 advantage after sweeping the opening series in Mississippi two weeks ago.

The first meeting, on October 30, featured plenty of momentum swings and no shortage of intensity. Columbus built a 4-0 lead early in the second period before a string of penalties and escalating tensions helped the Monarchs work their way back into the contest. Mid-South eventually erased the deficit to force overtime and, ultimately, a shootout. Thomas Nappier turned aside 46 shots to keep his team within reach, but Yaro Yevdokimov and Alex Storjohann converted in the shootout while Trevor Babin stopped both Monarchs attempts to secure a 5-4 Dragons victory.

The following night was a much different story. Columbus erupted for six unanswered goals and controlled the Halloween matchup from start to finish. Trevor Babin made 20 saves in a 6-1 victory. Barrow, Yevdokimov, Storjohann, and Somero all recorded multi-point performances, while nearly the entire Columbus lineup found its way onto the scoresheet.

Mid-South Monarchs

The Monarchs make their first-ever trip to Columbus this weekend carrying a 4-6-1 record after splitting a pair of games against the previously undefeated Topeka Scarecrows last weekend. Under first-year head coach Mac Jansen, Mid-South has shown flashes of its potential but is still searching for consistency as it works to establish its identity.

The Monarchs opened the weekend on November 6 with one of their strongest performances of the season, jumping out to a 3-0 lead and never relinquishing control in a 5-2 victory. Sam Holeczy, Brendan O'Rielly, Jack Wren, and Darion Benchich all registered multi-point efforts. O'Rielly earned first-star honors after recording a Gordie Howe hat trick, including his first goal since December 2022. Brady Gedman also made an immediate impression in his first appearance following his acquisition from Watertown, collecting a goal and a fight. Nappier rounded out the three stars with 36 saves.

Saturday's rematch was a much tighter affair, but the Monarchs came up short in a 2-1 decision. Chiwetin Blacksmith accounted for the lone Mid-South goal, while Nappier turned aside 39 of 41 shots in another busy night between the pipes.

Goaltending has been a significant part of the Monarchs' early-season story, but the workload placed on Nappier has been considerable. In nine appearances, he has faced at least 38 shots in eight of them, putting an emphasis on Mid-South's ability to limit opposing chances and provide more defensive support. The Monarchs have also struggled to keep games within reach, with five of their seven losses coming by three or more goals. However, their 2-2 record in one-goal games demonstrates that they can remain competitive when the margins are tight.

Mid-South will also have some significant reinforcements available this weekend, with three notable additions making their season debuts. Leading the group is former Binghamton captain and current Monarchs captain Tyson Kirkby. Kirkby spent the previous five seasons with the Black Bears, capturing three Commissioner’s Cups while compiling 136 goals and 176 assists across 198 FPHL games. His experience and leadership should provide an immediate boost to a Monarchs group looking for stability.

Forward Hunter Godmere will also enter the lineup after an impressive FPHL campaign with Blue Ridge in 2024-25, when he recorded 17 goals and 10 assists in just 16 appearances before continuing his career in the SPHL and Sweden. The final addition is Zach Shankar, who makes his FPHL debut after spending the previous four professional seasons across several leagues, including the ECHL, France, the NIHL, and the AIHL. All three bring valuable experience and additional depth to a roster looking to turn the corner.

Offensively, Darion Benchich has been the Monarchs' most consistent contributor. He has recorded points in eight consecutive games, including five multi-point performances during that stretch. His 18 points are double the next-highest total on the team, and his three game-winning goals are tied for the league lead. Frank Trazzera ranks second on the roster with six goals, while Austin Weber's seven assists also rank second.

Between the pipes, Nappier and Wyatt Friedlander have remained the team's primary tandem, although Friedlander has made just one start since October 17. Together, the two have posted a 3.64 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. With Nappier carrying much of the workload to this point, finding a more balanced approach in net could be important as the season progresses.

Special teams will be another area to watch. Mid-South has drawn the second-most power-play opportunities in the conference with 57, but its conversion rate remains among the league's lowest. Against a Columbus team that has continued to make improvements in that department, the Monarchs will need to capitalize on their opportunities and avoid letting special teams become a deciding factor.

Columbus River Dragons

The River Dragons return to Columbus with a 4-4-0 record after splitting last weekend's road series against the Monroe Moccasins. Sitting fourth in the Delta Division, Columbus has an opportunity to gain valuable ground against a divisional opponent while getting back in front of its home crowd for the first time since October 24.

Friday's matchup in Monroe started favorably for the Dragons, who held a 2-1 advantage before the Moccasins rattled off five unanswered goals to claim a 6-3 victory. Kyle Moore scored Columbus' first shorthanded goal of the season, while Brodie Thornton found the back of the net for his first goal of the year. Trevor Babin made 28 saves on 33 shots, suffering his first loss in four starts.

Saturday brought a much different result. In a back-and-forth contest that featured three ties, Columbus never surrendered the lead and eventually pulled away for a 5-3 victory. Ryan Galvin provided the eventual game-winner, while Doug Wakelyn turned aside 33 of 36 shots to earn his second win of the season. Barrow led the way with a goal and three assists to earn first-star honors, while Storjohann followed with a goal and two assists. Moore also found the scoresheet, recording a goal and the 200th point of his FPHL career with a second-period assist.

Through the opening weeks of the season, Columbus has continued to build toward the expectations established for this group. Under head coach Jerome Bechard and associate head coach Kevin St. Jacques, the Dragons have made progress in several areas, particularly on special teams, while continuing to develop chemistry throughout the lineup. The organization is also awaiting the activation of several Canadian players, which should provide another layer of depth as the roster takes shape.

Individually, Barrow continues to set the pace offensively. The reigning FPHL MVP has recorded 12 points over his last four games and has posted five multi-point performances through his first eight appearances. His 20 points currently rank second in the FPHL. Storjohann leads Columbus with seven goals, while Barrow, Yevdokimov, and Moore have each contributed five. The balanced production has been an encouraging sign for the Dragons, and the eventual additions of Eric Neiley and Ryan Hunter should give the offense even more options moving forward.

In net, the Dragons have relied on Trevor Babin, Doug Wakelyn, and Nolan Egbert to provide a steady presence. Babin and Wakelyn have each made four starts, with both demonstrating the ability to take control of a game when called upon. The trio has also developed a strong working relationship off the ice, creating a supportive environment within the goaltending room as the season gets underway. Having multiple capable options between the pipes gives Columbus valuable flexibility as the schedule begins to pick up.

Weekend Outlook

There are several storylines to follow as these division rivals meet for the third & fourth time this season. For Mid-South, the arrival of Kirkby, Godmere, and Shankar represents an opportunity to inject new life into a lineup that has struggled to find consistency. The Monarchs will be looking to prove that their recent improvements can translate against a familiar opponent, particularly after surrendering 11 goals across the first two meetings with Columbus.

For the Dragons, the objective is to protect home ice, build on last weekend's offensive production, and start climbing the Delta Division standings. With Barrow continuing to produce at an elite level, a balanced scoring attack developing throughout the lineup, and the team showing progress on special teams, Columbus has plenty of reasons to be confident heading into the series.

Friday also marks the christening of divisional hockey to the Lair, giving the Dragons an opportunity to make a statement in front of their home crowd before heading back to Mississippi for Saturday's rematch. The Monarchs will arrive with a revamped lineup and something to prove, while Columbus will look to maintain its early-season advantage in the rivalry.

Two games, two different venues, and plenty of divisional points on the line. With both clubs looking to establish themselves in the Delta Division, this weekend offers an important early-season measuring stick for each side. The Dragons will have the home crowd behind them Friday night, but they'll need to bring that same urgency with them to Southaven if they hope to come away with another successful weekend against their divisional rivals.