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Ice Bears' Cesarz Conquers Snakes

January 29, 2016 - SPHL (SPHL) - Knoxville Ice Bears News Release


Knoxville, TN - In only his third pro career appearance, Brian Billet stopped every shot he faced. In only his second game as an Ice Bear, Danny Cesarz delivered the game-tying assist, the game-winning goal and the hit of the year.

Cesarz scored midway through the third, Billet made 20 saves in relief and Knoxville rallied to defeat Columbus 2-1 on Friday night. The win is the Ice Bears' fifth in six games and ends a four-game skid against the Cottonmouths.

At 11:19 of the third period Knoxville's Jason Price fired from the left point and Cesarz collected the rebound and beat Columbus goalie Brandon Jaeger up top. His hit on Chris Rial early in the third sent the Columbus forward through the gass and turned the momentum in Knoxville's favor.

Columbus opened the scoring when Andy Bathgate fired a wrist shot from the left corner at a sharp angle and the puck found its way past Bryan Hince. Hince was pulled in favor of the rookie Billet immediately following the goal at 8:45 into the first.

Knoxville pulled even at 8:10 of the second when Cesarz forced a takeaway in the Columbus slot, side-stepped a defender and slid the puck across the crease to Dennis Sicard who out-waited Jaeger for his fifth goal of the season. The Ice Bears outshot the Cottonmouths 17-5 in the second period and 37-21 overall.

Knoxville will travel to Southaven Saturday to take on Mississippi. Columbus returns home to face Pensacola.


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