New Rock Lobsters general manager and head coach Garrett Rutledge has a perfect record so far in the 2025-26 Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) season.
The team won its first three games on the road and followed up Friday night with a solid 6-2 win over the Twin City Thunderbirds in the team’s second-season home opener at Akins Ford Arena in Athens.
Russian-born Gleb Bandurkin scored for the Lobsters just under eight minutes into the game, and Canadian defenseman Michael Greco added another four minutes later, with Bandurkin picking up an assist on the play.
The Thunderbirds, out of Winston-Salem, NC, got on the board just 20 seconds later to make it 2-1, which held up through the first period.
Rock Lobsters rookie Kayson Gallant scored the lone goal of the second period, sending the teams to the break with a 3-1 lead for the home team.
The Lobsters came out firing in the third-and-final period, taking just 2:29 for team veteran Filip Virgili to score with assists from Joe Mack and Garrett Milan. Twin City answered a few minutes later to make it 4-2, but a second goal by Gallant and another from Rock Lobsters captain Carter Shinkaruk secured the final score.
“I loved our O-zone time, and I liked our defense at times when we were moving pucks up fast,” Rutledge said after the game. “I also thought our goaltending was real strong, gave us a real good push. “And our penalty kill was pretty decent; when we needed a kill, we got one. Obviously, we gave one [goal] up tonight on the kill, so we need to clean that up a bit, but other than that, I was pretty happy with an all-around effort. It was very much a team win.”
Shinkaruk, another Canadian from British Columbia, was named the game’s first star, with Bandurkin the second star, and Mack, with three assists, called the third star.
As the team’s new head coach, Rutledge brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Rock Lobsters. Growing up in Eastern Ontario, near Detroit, Rutledge grew up immersed in the game, playing “a lot of junior hockey there” before transitioning into coaching in the Ontario Hockey League and later with the Twin City Thunderbirds.
Rutledge’s coaching résumé also included roles with the Flint Firebirds and Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. Still, he said, facing a former team early in his tenure with Athens was both familiar and competitive.
“A lot of familiar faces over there and guys that I brought in,” Rutledge acknowledged. “There’s definitely some pride on the line. Everyone has a bit of a hockey ego, and you always want to win. But it’s friendly competition, and it was good to see the guys and great to be back behind the bench.”
Since his arrival in Athens, Rutledge said he’s been impressed with the enthusiasm surrounding the Rock Lobsters organization and the city’s growing embrace of hockey.
He also praised Akins Arena and the team’s fan base, noting both have helped make Athens an attractive destination for players.
“The facility is beautiful, state-of-the-art,” Rutledge said. “It makes recruiting easy, and the fan support is incredible. When you have that kind of backing and every resource for success, it creates the right environment to win.”
“Southern hospitality is something I’ve really missed,” he added. “It’s been an amazing experience so far, and I’m proud to be part of what’s being built here in Athens.”