First child pumps up Melnyk

Welcome back, Donald Melnyk.

The Renegades were certainly happy to have Melnyk on the ice again after a four-game absence to be on hand for the birth of his first child, LisaAnn Jesse, in The Pas, Manitoba.

"I was really excited to be back in the lineup," said Melnyk, who had two goals and assisted on the game-winner against Jacksonville on Friday. "I skated maybe once in the two weeks I was home. I missed hockey."

When he returned, Melnyk was moved to a line with Justin Joy and Brett Needham for the series in Jacksonville, where the Renegades (25-20-2) won twice to all but clinch a playoff berth.

"Joysie has been on fire lately," Melnyk said. "Needham is a really skilled player. It's kind of hard not to play good with those two. It's a good combination; lot of chemistry."

Their line will have another chance to showcase its skills Friday night (7:35) when the Renegades face the first-place Knoxvillle Ice Bears (29-15-4) at the Coliseum.

"It was a great experience," Melnyk said of becoming a father. "But it cost me a lot of money to go home and taking a pay cut to do it."

Senft successful against Barracudas

Goaltender Ryan Senft wouldn't mind having more games against Jacksonville. He's 4-0 with a goals-against average of 1.47. Senft beat the Barracudas twice in Jacksonville last weekend after holding them to two goals in a pair of games in Richmond last month.

"I don't know," Senft said after being asked about his success vs. Jacksonville. "For the last three years, counting when I was in Columbus, I've played against them a lot. Even last year, I had a lot of success against them for whatever reason."

The Barracudas are playing their home games in a practice rink this season because they can't afford to pay the rent at the much-larger Jacksonville Coliseum.

"It's the same as Knoxville," he said. "I seem to enjoy playing in the smaller rinks. It's just more action, keeps you into the games at all times because everything happens so much faster."

Senft was honored as the Southern Professional Hockey League player of the week. His GAA was 1.92 and his save percentage was .949 for the weekend.

Fans can aid Twin City players

The apartment building in Winston-Salem, N.C., housing the Twin City Cyclones was destroyed by fire last Wednesday, displacing eight players. While no one was hurt, five of the players lost everything except the clothes on their backs.

The SPHL and its member teams all have made donations to help the victims. Anyone interested in making a donation to the fundraising account can email info@rrenegades.com. Wachovia Bank is handling the Twin City Cyclones Relief Fund, and the account number is 2000031251952. - John Packett