SPHL Crowns Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs


The Rail Yard Dawgs won the President’s Cup for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Birmingham Bulls 2-1 in a Game Four overtime victory at Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia. Josh Nenadal scored Roanoke’s first goal, while captain Mac Jansen netted the winner to give Roanoke its first-ever Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) championship.  Roanoke goaltender Austyn Roudebush was named the Most Valuable Player of the President’s Cup Final.  Roudebush stopped 18-of-19 shots in the game.
Roanoke split the first two games in Birmingham then won game three in overtime 5-4 before clinching the title in game four with another overtime winner.

The Rail Yard Dawgs were in their seventh season in the SPHL.  They lost in the President's Cup final last season to the Peoria Rivermen.

Roanoke finished the regular season in fourth place then swept Evansville 2-0 in the quarterfinal round and Peoria 2-1 in the semifinals.

Recap of Southern Professional Hockey League 2022-2023 Season:

Quarterfinals
Peoria 3, Pensacola 2
Peoria 2, Pensacola 1
(Peoria wins 2 games to 0)

Fayetteville 3, Birmingham 2 (ot)
Birmingham 4, Fayetteville 2
Birmingham 2, Fayetteville 0
(Birmingham wins 2 games to 1)

Huntsville 5, Knoxville 1
Huntsville 3, Knoxville 2
(Huntsville wins 2 games to 0)

Roanoke 4, Evansville 2
Roanoke 4, Evansville 0
(Roanoke wins 2 games to 0)

Semifinals
Roanoke 3, Peoria 2
Peoria 5, Roanoke 3
Roanoke 5, Peoria 3
(Roanoke wins 2 games to 1)

Birmingham 3, Huntsville 2 (ot)
Huntsville 3, Birmingham 2 (ot)
Birmingham 5, Huntsville 2
(Birmingham wins 2 games to 1)

Final
Roanoke 4, Birmingham 2
Birmingham 2, Roanoke 0
Roanoke 5, Birmingham 4 (ot)
Roanoke 2, Birmingham 1 (ot)
(Roanoke wins 3 games to 1)

For more information:  https://www.thesphl.com/

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