Augusta Lynx

PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL announced that the Augusta Lynx have suspended operations, effective immediately and voluntarily relinquished their membership back to the League. The move comes as a result of the Augusta ownership group being unable to continue to operate in 2008-09.

"We are very disappointed for our fans, league partners and the other member teams of the ECHL," said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. "The ECHL would like to thank the Lynx fans for all of their support."

Augusta players will immediately become unrestricted free agents.

The league announced that the Augusta at Mississippi on Thursday and the Gwinnett at Charlotte games on Thursday have been cancelled. The league said that work has begun on a revised version of the playing schedule which will be released as soon as possible.

Lightning prospects currently assigned to Augusta, Kevin Quick and Chris Lawrence, of course will not become unrestricted free agents, but will be reassigned by Tampa Bay.

The Lynx survived a 42 shot onslaught by the Charlotte Checkers snapping an 8 game losing streak by winning in a 2-1 shootout. Lightning goaltending prospect Riku Helenius did not dress for the Lynx after being recalled by Tampa to the Norfolk Admirals. Both Chris Lawrence and Kevin Quick failed to convert on their shootout attempts.

Checkers owner Michael Kahn has been linked as one of the possible investors to prop up the Lynx $300,000 budget shortfall.

Augusta 2 @ Charlotte 1 SO
D Kevin Quick: 0-0-0; E; 0 PIM; 1 SOG
F Chris Lawrence: 0-0-0; E; 2 PIM (boarding); 1 SOG

Augusta's record now stands at 6-10-1-2, and next play on Thursday night against the Mississippi Sea Wolves in Gulfport, MS.

In a home game marred by reports of financial trouble by the 10-year old Augusta franchise, the visiting Charlotte Checkers were merciless defeating the Lynx 6-2 behind a 4 goal 2nd period. Chris Lawrence assisted on the Lynx third period goal. Riku Helenius backed up Mike Brodeur before being recalled to the Norfolk Admirals. This was 2nd straight game that the Lynx lost by a score of 6-2.

Charlotte 6 @ Augusta 2
G Riku Helenius: did not play
D Kevin Quick: 0-0-0; -1; 0 PIM; 5 SOG
F Chris Lawrence: 0-1-1; +1; 0 PIM; 0 SOG

Augusta falls to 5-10-1-1, and complete the home-and-home series with the Charlotte Checkers on Sunday.

In a Friday afternoon press conference, Augusta Lynx co-owners announced that if an investor or partner isn't found "in a matter of days", the team will fold.

Saturday night's home game against the Charlotte Checkers will be just the 7th home game of the season, and 3rd weekend home game for the team. The Lynx aren't scheduled to play another home game until December 16th.

“I think we’re going to have to have an investor,” co-owner Dan Troutman said. “Quite frankly, we’ve got one more home game and then we’re gone for three weeks... The long story short is we’ve got to have some money quicker than we can do it with just attendance."

If the Lynx fold, Lighting prospects Kevin Quick, Chris Lawrence, and Riku Helenius could be recalled to Norfolk of the AHL since there are no roster limit maximums in the AHL, but presumably that would be a temporary solution.

Riku Helenius allowed 6 goals on 42 shots as the Gwinnett Gladiators defeated the Lynx 6-2. Augusta's winless streak now stretches to 7 games amid concerns of reports that the franchise is struggling financially. As of Thanksgiving, the Lynx have only had 6 home games, with only 2 of those games on the weekend.

No word on why Chris Lawrence was not in the lineup.

Augusta 2 @ Gwinnett 6
G Riku Helenius: 6 GA; 60:00 MIN; 42 SH; 36 SV
D Kevin Quick: 0-0-0; -1; 0 PIM; 0 SOG
F Chris Lawrence: did not play

Augusta falls to 5-9-1-1, and next play a home-and-home series with the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday and Sunday.