Big Nights from Kobryn, Fleurent Not Enough as Ice Bears Drop OT Decision

December 30, 2023 - SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release

Troy Kobryn made 53 saves for Knoxville in Saturday's overtime loss. PHOTO: Michael King.

Matt Arujo scored at 3:39 of the overtime period and the Knoxville Ice Bears dropped its fifth straight game in a 3-2 loss to Fayetteville Saturday night at Crown Coliseum.

Troy Kobryn made 53 saves for Knoxville. Ryan Kenny made 25 stops for the Marksmen.

With Fayetteville on the power play in overtime, Tyler Barrow slid the puck to the right circle for Arujo, who teed off on a one-timer to beat Kobryn up high.

Arujo scored 35 seconds into the game with a backhand from the slot to give Fayetteville the early lead. He received the puck on the left side of the zone, skated to center and lifted the puck past Kobryn.

Brady Fleurent scored his team-leading 11th goal of the season at 6:49 to leave the score tied at the first intermission. Seth Ensor sent the puck from the left point down behind the Fayetteville net to Rex Moe. Moe slipped the puck out in front to Fleurent, who beat Kenny up high.

Roman Kraemer scored by finding a loose puck on a net-front scramble when the puck came free by the crease. Kraemer lifted it over an outstretched Kobryn at 10:16 of the second.

Fleurent tied the game right before the horn with a rebound with less than a second remaining. Troy Murray kept in a clearing attempt at the right point, fired the puck on net and Fleurent slipped the rebound past Kenny after the Fayetteville goalie made the initial save.

Knoxville closes out the weekend with a trip to Roanoke Sunday night. Fayetteville is off until Friday when it hosts the Ice Bears.

SPHL Stories from December 30, 2023

• Ice Flyers Have Franchise Record Crowd Saturday, But Unable to Hold off Bulls - Pensacola Ice Flyers
• ThunderBolts Rally to Earn Point in Quad City - Evansville Thunderbolts
• Mayhem Find Offensive Spark But Unable to Down Rivermen - Macon Mayhem
• Rivermen Rally to Quiet Mayhem 5-4 - Peoria Rivermen
• Big Nights from Kobryn, Fleurent Not Enough as Ice Bears Drop OT Decision - Knoxville Ice Bears
• Dawgs Blow by Havoc in 6-2 Win at Home - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
• Araujo Scores Twice, Marksmen Beat Ice Bears in OT - Fayetteville Marksmen
• Big Nights from Kobryn, Fleurent Not Enough as Ice Bears Drop OT Decision - Knoxville Ice Bears
• Marksmen Acquire Defenseman Jamie Dorsey from Mayhem - Fayetteville Marksmen
• Nick Parody Called up to Rapid City Rush - Fayetteville Marksmen
• Game Notes: Military Appreciation Night - Pensacola Ice Flyers
• SPHL Announces Suspension - SPHL

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