SPHL Knoxville Ice Bears

Ice Bears Wrestle IceGators to 3-2 Overtime Win

Published on December 18, 2010 under SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release


Knoxville, TN - For the first time this season the Knoxville Ice Bears faced off against the Louisiana IceGators tonight in Knoxville. The teams met in the Civic Coliseum in front of a raucous crowd of 4,213 fans on Guaranteed Fight Night. Tyler Fletcher's early breakaway and Emery Olauson's overtime tally sent the Ice Gators back to the swamp with a 3-2 loss.

Knoxville hit the ice eager to avenge their loss in Fayetteville Friday night. Louisiana's C.J. Tozzo was quick to score just 5:23 minutes into the first period, but the IceGators didn't hold the lead long. Just two minutes later, Fletcher snatched the puck for a breakaway during a Louisiana power play. He streaked unimpeded and rocketed an unassisted, short-handed goal past Louisiana goalie Scott Darling to tie at 1.

The Ice Bears pulled ahead at the start of the second period with a score by Eric Slais assisted by Mike Tuomi and Rob Campbell. Three minutes later, Louisiana's Dennis Sicard moved the puck stick-side past Knoxville goalie Andrew Gallant on a power play putting both teams at 2.

With the score tied, the Ice Bears skated into a crucial third period. Two seconds had cleared the clock when Fletcher and Sicard threw off their gloves and helmets and brawled until Sicard hit the ice. The energy from the fight wasn't enough to break the tie and the teams stayed locked at 2 throughout the third period. The game moved into a 3-on-3 overtime.

Knoxville's Emery Olauson sealed the victory for the Ice Bears with a shot just 38 seconds into the 5-minute overtime. The Ice Bears left with a 3-2 victory and a 1-0 record against the IceGators.

The Ice Bears will return to the ice on Tuesday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 to play heated rivals Fayetteville FireAntz. Get a free child's ticket with the purchase of one adult silver level ticket (not valid with any other promotion).

Mercedes Benz 3 Stars of the Game:

1st Star: Emery Olauson (Knoxville)

2nd Star: Tyler Fletcher (Knoxville)

3rd Star: Andrew Gallant (Knoxville)

Check out the Knoxville Ice Bears Statistics

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SPHL Stories from December 18, 2010


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