Barracudas Down Manatees, 5-3
January 11, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Miami Manatees News Release
Miami â Despite taking the early lead, the Manatees couldn't hold on as the Barracudas got the last two goals in the third period to knock off the visiting Manatees 5-3 in front of 3004 fans at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Manatees got on the board first when Greg LeColst scooped up the rebound on Oak Hewer's shot at 1:49 of the first period. LeColst's goal was his third in two games for the Manatees.
The Manatees took a two goal lead when Kevin Swider found Hewer all alone by the side of the net. Randy Hevey was not able to get across in time to stop Hewer's tap-in goal.
But the Barracudas came alive in the second period, putting three pucks past Sean Weaver in a span of 6:03. Scoring the goals for the Barracuda's were Jay McCabe, Mike Johnson, and Jay Miller.
The Manatees wouldn't be down for long in the third period. Tom Perry lifted the puck from the blue-line to the bottom of the right circle. With the puck bouncing, Josh Liebenow got dragged down by a Barracuda defensemen, but his swipe at the puck was enough to get it past Hevey for the tying goal.
The Manatees kept the pressure on Hevey, who stood tall as he denied Hewer and Kevin Swider in excellent scoring opportunities in front of the net. But the Barracudas answered back by scoring the final two goals on odd-man rushes from Andrew Oke and McCabe. McCabe ended up with two goals on the night.
Weaver, making his second start in a row, stopped 27 of 32 shots. Hevey stopped 29 of 32 Miami shots in the win.
The Miami Manatees face off against the Alabama Slammers, Jacksonville Barracudas, Lakeland Loggerheads, Macon Trax, and Orlando Seals in the WHA2's inaugural season. All games are broadcast on www.irn.fm.
Individual and Group Tickets for the Miami Manatees are now on sale. For further information, please contact the Manatees at (305) 536-PUCK (7825) or visit www.miamimanatees.com.
SPHL Stories from January 11, 2004
- Trax Top Slammers 4-3 - Alabama Slammers
- Barracudas Down Manatees, 5-3 - Miami Manatees
- Trax Win Two in a Row - Macon Trax
- Loggerheads Edge Seals, 2-1 - Florida Seals
- Turtle Soup - Florida Seals
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