Well it’s sure good to be back in Knoxville. After only having 3 home games in the last 11 and winning just 5 of those games we haven’t been a happier group of guys to be back at home. Not only for a few games either, we are here in Knoxville for our next 7. I can finally fill the fridge without having to worry about the food going bad.
This past weekend as you know we headed down to Pensacola Florida for a 2 game contest. Friday night we skated out to a great crowd of 5,500. It was a Military Appreciation Night and they were all pumped up for the game. Not only was the crowd jacked up but so were the Ice Flyers. Coming out flying and outshooting us 19 to 9 and ahead 2-0. Then in the second period we settled down and had the game all tied up with only 14 minutes left. But with a couple of late mistakes it cost us the game.
Saturday night’s game was another great crowd of 4,200. After the loss the night before we didn’t have a choice but to bring everything we had and try and get a split for the weekend. Right from the drop of the puck we controlled the game. Pensacola ended up getting the first goal on an early powerplay but we answered shortly afterwards to tie the game. Heading into the second period a former Ice Bear Chris Rebernik scored a surprising goal only 9 seconds into the period. But we held it together and kept working hard and getting tons of opportunities. In the second intermission we were still down by 1 goal but there was this vibe in the dressing room and i think we all had this feeling that the game was far from over. Sure enough at the half way mark our top line of Hustead, Swider, and Vitek tied the game and sent it into overtime. Where Melnyk took the puck from the high slot and hammered a slap shot home for the victory.
Now heading into our 7 game home stand with a win i think we can really do some damage in the standings. Its definitely not going to be easy playing Pensacola 2 more times this coming weekend and then Huntsville the following weekend. But it will also give use a chance to climb our way up the standings by beating teams ahead of us.
Thanks for the messages and if anyone has questions or is wondering about anything please feel free to ask. Hope you see some full crowds these next few weeks. We can use all the help we can get from the greatest fans in the SPHL!
Just wanted to say we’re still reading! Crazy game Friday, with all the fights and even the manager/coach (I never saw which) tossing water bottles at the refs? Tough one Saturday, but Pensacola is not pulling any punches! And what a game Sunday–I couldn’t believe all the penalties (well, what the ref saw as penalties–he’s not made any fans in Knoxville!) You all overcame it and most of the fans now have no fingernails, but it was exciting. Hope you all have a good week, we’ll be seeing you Friday and screaming our heads off for everyone!
Strange this post is totaly unrelated to what I was searching google for, but it was listed on the first page. I guess your doing something right if Google likes you enough to put you on the first page of a non related search.