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Florence Pride Weekly

February 23, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


LAST WEEK: After opening the week with a win at South Carolina on Tuesday, Florence lost three consecutive games to Augusta, Florida and Pensacola to close the week with a 1-3-0 record. The Pride remain in seventh place in the Southern Division with a 21-27-6 record for 48 points.

Tuesday, February 17 @ South Carolina PRIDE 4 Stingrays 2

Eric Naud put the Pride on the board midway through the first period, one-timing a shot past Kirk Daubenspeck. The Pride doubled their lead 7:56 into the second period on a Wes Goldie goal off of assists from Bobby Russell and Vladimir Gusev. South Carolina got on the board late in the middle period, as Jeff Boulanger stuffed a rebound past Sebastien Laplante. Florence retook its two-goal lead 3:24 into the final period on Adam Elzinga's third goal of the season. The Stingrays again cut their deficit to one at 13:44 on a power-play goal by Ed Courtenay, but a Mark McRae goal with 1:21 to go sealed the win for the Pride.

Thursday, February 19 @ Augusta Lynx 5 PRIDE 2

Special teams was the name of the game, as the Pride scored both of their goals on the power play, while the Lynx tallied three goals on the man advantage and added a shothanded goal to pick up a 5-2 win. Trailing 3-0 midway through the second period, the Pride awakened, as Vladimir Gusev and Allan Sirois scored 2:03 apart to make it a one-goal game heading to the third period. But, a Matt Dzieduszycki power-play goal 2:23 into the third gave Augusta a two-goal advantage, and Jonathan Gagnon set the final at 10:34 with the only even-strength goal of the game.

Saturday, February 21 v. Florida Everblades 3 PRIDE 0

Florida scored single goals in each period to record the 3-0 shutout. It was the fourth time this season that Florence had been blanked. Sebastien Laplante made 25 saves in the loss.

Sunday, February 22 v. Pensacola Ice Pilots 6 PRIDE 3

Florence led 2-1 after one courtesy of goals by Allan Sirois and Jeff Szwez (PPG). But, Pensacola tied the game with just 1:36 remaining in the second period, and took the lead for good 59 seconds into the third period. A pair of goals by Brett Gibson 2:08 apart midway through the final period gave the Ice Pilots a 5-2 advantage. Luke Earl tallied a shorthanded goal at 16:51 to pull the Pride within three, but an empty-net goal by Gibson with 27 seconds left sealed it for the Ice Pilots.

THIS WEEKS' GAMES

Tuesday, February 24 @ Gwinnett 7:00 p.m. Coverage on WDAR Sunny 105.5 at 6:40

Florence makes its first-ever appearance at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Tuesday night. The teams have met twice at the Lion's Den this season, with the Gladiators winning both games by one goal. Gwinnett is in third place in the Central Division with a record of 30-18-5 for 65 points.

Friday, February 27 v. Columbia 7:30 p.m. Lion's Den

The Pride and Inferno meet for the seventh time this season, and for the final time in Florence. The Pride are 1-3-2 against the Inferno this season, and just 1-11-2 in the last 14 head-to-head meetings between the two clubs. Columbia enters the week in first place in the Southern Division at 33-16-6 for 72 points.

PROMOTIONS: During the game, the Pride will honor the state football runners-up, the West Florence High School Knights. Florence Mayor Frank Willis will be on hand to issue a proclamation to the team during the second intermission. Following the game, the Florence Knights High School hockey team will take on the Lexington 5 Fusion in a high school game. Fans must have a Pride ticket to be able to attend the high-school game. Friday is also Boy Scout Night, with discounted tickets available for all area Boy Scouts and their families. Call the Pride office at (843) 669-7825 for more information or to reserve your tickets today.

Saturday, February 28 @ Columbia 2:00 p.m. Coverage on WDAR Sunny 105.5 at 1:40

Florence travels to Columbia in the back-end of the home-and-home series, and for the final meeting between the rivals this season. The Pride are 0-6-2 in their last eight visits to the Carolina Coliseum.

PRIDE IN THE COMMUNITY

Monday, February 23

Jack Baker and Ryan Knox will be attending Career Day at Hannah-Pamplico

Thursday, February 26

Jack Baker, Craig Brunel, Wes Goldie and Matt Reid will be at West Florence High School at 1:00 to meet with special-needs students.

Wes Goldie, Ryan Knox and Matt Reid will be at the Florence Boys & Girls Club to play with street hockey with kids.

Joe Babik, Jack Capuano and Mark McRae will be taking part in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual Lock-Up to take place at the Florence Civic Center.

Monday, March 1

The Pride and Colortyme Rent-to-Own will hold a golf tournament to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The tournament will be held at The Traces Golf Club, with a shotgun start of 11:30 a.m. The cost to enter is $55 per individual for $200 for a foursome, which also includes lunch. For more information, or to register, call Bob or Nan Kogler at (843) 662-8855 or (843) 250-1316

PRIDE NOTES

- With his goal on Saturday against Pensacola, Allan Sirois now has 199 in his ECHL career. Additionally, he needs two goals to break Dany Bousquet's all-time team record of 148 career goals.

- Kyle Kidney is the only player to appear in each of the Pride's 54 games this season.

- Over the last 12 games, Florence is 10-for-37 (27.0%) on the power play. For the season, the Pride rank sixth in the ECHL on the man advantage, converting at a 20.9% clip.

- In that same 12-game span, the Pride have killed are 40-for-51 (78.4%) on the penalty kill. Florence is tied for 18th in the league on the penalty kill at 81.5%.

- Florence has won only three games this season when trailing after the first period. The Pride are 3-14-2 this season when trailing through 20 minutes.

PRIDE LEADERS
Goals Goldie 28
Assists Sirois 32
Points Goldie 45
+/- Baker +3
Penalty Minutes Brunel 133
Shots Goldie 177
Power Play Goals Goldie 12
Shorthanded Goals Goldie 3
Game-Winning Goals Goldie 5

PRIDE ON THE AIR

All Pride away games can be heard on WDAR Sunny 105.5 FM and on-line at www.florencepride.com with the Voice of the Pride, Joe Babik. Each broadcast begins 20 minutes prior to faceoff with the Palmetto Chiropractic Pre-Game Show.

PRIDE TICKETS

Tickets for all Pride home games can be purchased at the Florence Civic Center Box Office (10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday; through the second period on game nights), all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at (843) 679-9333 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. The Pride also have group tickets available for all remaining home games. For more information, contact Director of Ticket Operations Neil Broome at (843) 669-7825.

YARD SIGNS

The Pride would like to thank all of their fans who have been placing their yard signs on game days. If you do not have a yard sign, they are available at the Pride office from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Pride's next home game is Friday, February 27 against the Columbia Inferno..

SEASON-TICKET RENEWALS

The Pride are now accepting season-ticket renewals for the 2004-2005 season. Season-ticket holders can return their completed applications to the Pride office from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or mail the applications to the Pride office at 3300 West Radio Drive; Florence, SC 29501. The Pride will also have a table set up on the concourse during all remaining home games for season-ticket holders to return their applications, or to ask any questions.

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