Bushey, Senior Wreak Havoc On Seals' Home Opener
Published on October 27, 2006 under SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Florida Seals hockey team was hoping for a new beginning with new ownership, new office staff and a number of new players added to the roster. Instead of starting off the season with a win, the Seals had a tough time getting started and fell to the Huntsville Havoc 7-2 at the Silver Spurs Arena. Craig Bushey and Tristan Senior paced the Havoc with two goals each on the night.
"A loss is a loss, period," Seals Coach Tommy Stewart said. "We just didn't have it. We didn't have jam. We were flat."
The start of the game was not what the Seals were looking for. Huntsville struck for two quick goals Mike O'Sullivan jammed a rebound past goalie Terry Denike a mere 51 seconds into the contest. 29 seconds later, Bill Monkman fired a shot that eluded Denike for a 2-0 lead.
"Anytime you start on the road and you come into another team's rink for their home opener, they're going to be excited and have a little extra jump," Huntsville Coach John Gibson said. "I think coming out and getting those two quick goals may have settled them down early."
Then the new "zero tolerance" officiating kicked in. The remainder of the period was power play after power play. That seemed to ignite the Seals as during a 5-on-3 man advantage, defenseman Brett Larson blasted a laser that found its way over Matt Carmichael's left shoulder, cutting the lead in half.
Florida's power play struck again just over four minutes into the second. Rob Sich fed rookie Ryan Coghlan who beat Carmichael to tie the score at two. Both team's momentum was stalled by a lengthy maintenance problem. Huntsville recovered their late in the period when Erik Kent turned the Seals defense and got the puck in front where Tristan Senior poked the puck under Denike, giving the Havoc the lead going to the final stanza.
Huntsville's lead doubled early in the third as O'Sullivan and Jesse Baraniuk combined to set up Craig Bushey who beat Denike out of another goal mouth scramble. Bushey's second of the night midway through the period during a man advantage took what was left of the wind in the Seals' sails away. Luke Phillips and Senior added late tallies to create the finals score.
"I don't want to make excuses but we just weren't ready to match their intensity," Stewart said. "They played a great road game." The two teams meet again Saturday night at the Silver Spurs Arena. Game time is 7:35 P.M.
SPHL Stories from October 27, 2006
- Bushey, Senior Wreak Havoc On Seals' Home Opener - Florida Seals
- Barracudas Name Captains for 2006-2007 Season - Jacksonville Barracudas
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