HUNTERSVILLE, NC (February 5, 2019) – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) announced today that Marcus Ortiz of the Knoxville Ice Bears is the Warrior Player of the Week for January 28 – February 3.
Ortiz tallied five goals and an assist and was +4 in just two games in a weekend series against the Fayetteville Marksmen.
During the third period of Friday night’s game, Ortiz contributed a goal and an assist as the Ice Bears fell to the Marksmen 5-3. On Saturday night, Ortiz struck quickly and scored an unassisted goal just two minutes into the game against the Marksmen. Later, Ortiz scored another goal to wrap up the first period. The second period saw another goal by Ortiz as he slipped one in against the Marksmen goalie only five minutes into the period. Ortiz recorded his fourth goal of the game in the first two minutes of the third period to close out an 8-2 victory against the Marksmen.
In the two games the Ice Bears played over the weekend, the right-winger contributed five out of the 11 goals scored by the team. Ortiz is now in his second season of play with the Knoxville Ice Bears. Originally from Garland, Texas, Ortiz currently ranks second in goals for the Ice Bears with 13.
Other nominees for the Warrior Player of the Week were: Austin Daae, Birmingham (2g, 1a), Braden Ostepchuk, Evansville (1-0-0, 49 saves, 1 ga), Brian Bowen, Fayetteville (2g, 1a), Kyle Sharkey, Huntsville (1g, 4a), Taylor Love, Macon (1g), Andrew Schmit, Pensacola (2g), Storm Phaneuf, Peoria (2-0-0, 1.50gaa, 0.936), Austin Hervey, Quad City (1g, 2a) and Jesse Schwartz, Roanoke (1g, 2a).
