Eklund Scores Goal & Ice Pilots Pick Up 5 Out Of 6 Points

Published on December 8, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


The Pensacola Ice Pilots posted a record of 2-0-1 this past weekend. The Ice Pilots lost a shootout at Mississippi on Friday night 5-4. Ice Pilots goalie Brian Eklund got credit for a goal in the game to give the Ice Pilots a 2-0 lead in the first period. The Ice Pilots were going to be called for a penalty and Mississippi pulled their goalie Sean Matile. The Sea Wolves Louis Dumont tried to hit their defenseman at the left point inside the Ice Pilots blue line however the puck got by the defenseman and slowly rolled into the Mississippi goal. Brian Eklund was the last player to touch the puck for the Ice Pilots and got credit for the goal. Tyler Kindle, Greg Chambers and Tyler Beechey also scored goals for the Ice Pilots.

The Ice Pilots won on Friday night at home vs. Louisiana 3-2 in a shootout. Brian Eklund was the winning goalie stopping 40 out of 42 shots and 4 out of 5 shooters in the shootout. Jean Francois Soucy and Jim Abbott scored the goals for the Ice Pilots in regulation and Greg Chambers and Corey Neilson scored for the Ice Pilots in the shootout.

The Ice Pilots defeated Texas at home on Sunday. Tyler Beechey scored two goals for the Ice Pilots and Corey Neilson scored the other. Brian Eklund was the winning goalie stopping 37 out of 38 shots.

The Ice Pilots have a record of 12-7-2 for 26 points which is good for third place in the Central Division of the Western Conference.

Third straight year Todd Gordon has team at 26 points after the first 21 games
Todd Gordon is in his third season as head coach with the Ice Pilots and the Ice Pilots have a total of 26 points after the first 21 games for the third straight year. The Ice Pilots were 13-8-0 after Gordon's first year, 11-6-4 after Gordon's second year and have a record of 12-7-2 this season after the first 21 games.

The Ice Pilots play home this Friday vs. Mississippi at 7:05 p.m. The Ice Pilots have a record of 4-0-1 vs. Mississippi this season and have an all-time record of 22-32-7 vs. the Sea Wolves including a record of 13-14-3 at home and 9-18-4 on the road.

Promotion for Friday night's home game vs. Mississippi at 7:05 p.m. It is World Ford Family Night. There will be a shootout for a $38,000 Thunderbird. Battle of High School Bands will take place between Pensacola High and Milton. It is the final night for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Campaign. Fans who bring a new boxed or unwrapped toy to the game will receive a $3 coupon which would be good for the December 18th home game vs. Greenville at 7:05 p.m. A baby crawl sponsored by Nemour's Childrens Clinic will take place during the intermission.

The Ice Pilots will play at Texas on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. and play at Texas on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. The Ice Pilots have an all-time record of 3-1-1 vs. Texas this season as the Wildcatters are an expansion team this year. The Ice Pilots defeated Texas 7-2 on October 25th at home, lost at Texas in overtime on November 9th 4-3, defeated Texas at home on November 13th 5-3 and lost at Texas on November 22nd 4-1. The Ice Pilots defeated Texas on Sunday at home 3-1.

Ice Pilots in Third Place
The Ice Pilots are in third place in the Central Division with a record of 12-7-2 for 26 points. Visit icepilots.com for the current standings.

Ice Pilots leaders
Ice Pilots defenseman Corey Neilson leads the team with 27 points and is the top scoring defenseman in the ECHL. Neilson leads the league with 17 power play points and 13 power play assists. Brian Eklund is second in the league with 12 wins and first in the league with 602 saves. Eklund is also fifth in the league with 1024 minutes played. Greg Chambers is second in the league in scoring among rookies with 21 points and is second among rookies with 16 assists. Brian Collins and Jim Abbott are seventh in the league in scoring among rookies with 15 points. Collins is third in the league among rookies with 8 goals. Jean Francois Soucy leads all rookies with 23 minor penalties.

Practice Schedule for the week
The Ice Pilots will have Monday off. The Ice Pilots will practice at the Civic Center on Tuesday through Thursday at 10:00 a.m. The Ice Pilots will have a pre skate on Friday at the Civic Center at 10:00 and play home to Mississippi on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. The Ice Pilots will leave after the game for Beaumont, Texas and play at Texas on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. and play at Texas on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. This is a tentative practice schedule and times can be changed.

Nominated Player of the Week
Tyler Beechey has been nominated for the player of the week scoring 3 goals this past week and Brian Eklund has been nominated for goalie of the week with a record of 2-0-1 this week and got credit for scoring a goal at Mississippi on Friday night.

Mr. Manatee's Alumni game scheduled for Friday, March 5th at 6:05 p.m. The Ice Pilots are proud to announce the first ever Mr. Manatee's Alumni game to take place on Friday, March 5th at 6:05 p.m. The original game vs. San Diego will take place after the Mr. Manatee's Alumni game at 8:05 p.m. Fans will be able to see both games for the price of a regular season ticket to a game. Former players Shane Calder, Chad Quenneville, Scott Malone, Scott LaGrand, Kelly Hultgren and Andrew Rodgers along with former Head Coach Al Pedersen and former Assistant Coach George Kozak will participate in the Mr. Manatee's Alumni Game. Other former players could be added as we get closer to the date. Members of the Jr. Ice Pilots, the local media and members of the Senior League will also participate in the Mr. Manatee's Alumni game. The Alumni players and the Ice Pilots original players will be wearing special old timer sweaters sponsored by Mr. Mantee's A Casual Grille. The old timer sweaters will be auctioned off after the game at "The Hangar" with proceeds going to the Florida Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and the Children's Home Society.

Season Ticket Packages are available with year round payments
Full season ticket packages and 16 game packages are available with year round payments. The following is a list of the full season ticket plan with year round payments: $22 seats for floor and glass is $49.99 per month, $15 seats for sides is $35.99 per month, $13 seats for goal and lower upper level is $32.99 per month, $10 seats for upper level is $24.99 per month.

Group Tickets
Group tickets are available at the Ice Pilots office. A group of 15-24 will receive $2 off per ticket and scoreboard recognition. A group of 25-99 will receive $2 off per ticket, scoreboard recognition, the group leader receive two free tickets with a minimum of 25 tickets purchased and group members are eligible to become an MVP. Each group member fills out and MVP card, (Cards are mailed with the group tickets), and drops the card in the MVP box at customer service before the game, and has the opportunity to win a valuable prize! Groups of 100 or more will receive scoreboard recognition, two free tickets, MVP cards plus $3 off per ticket and an opportunity to perform the national anthem or participate in the ceremonial puck drop (Subject to availability and approval).

Birthday Parties
Celebrate your birthday with the Ice Pilots. The Ice Pilots birthday party package includes hot dogs, cokes, cake and 10 $13 lower goal game tickets, a special gift pack for the birthday person delivered by Iceman, a birthday card signed by the Ice Pilots and scoreboard recognition. The package price is $179 for a party of 10. $15 is added for each additional guest. For more information call 432-PUCK.

Assigned Players from Tampa Bay
The Ice Pilots currently have seven players on the roster assigned from Tampa Bay. They are goalies Brian Eklund, Evgeny Konstantinov and forward Dwayne Hay. Forward Jean Francois Soucy, forward Ryan Craig and defenseman Jeremy Van Hoof and Andreas Holmqvist are also assigned from Tampa. Ryan Craig and Dwayne Hay have been called up to Hershey.

Kerr's Kids
This season the Ice Pilots are introducing "Kerr's Kids." Thanks to Ice Pilots owner Tim Kerr and SMG (Pensacola Civic Center), the Ice Pilots would like to invite six children and their escorts to a game. The Ice Pilots will provide free admission, a goodie bag for each child and SMG will provide a hot dog and soda for each guest. Accessible seating will be arranged for "Kerr's Kids" in section 105. If you are interested in attending one of the Ice Pilots home game through "Kerr's Kids" please contact the Ice Pilots office at 432-7825 and ask for Melinda Palmer or Jeanne Gallagher.

Listen to games on the Ice Pilots Hockey Network
Fans can listen to Ice Pilots games on the Ice Pilots Hockey Network. The network includes flagship station WCOA AM 1370, Mediacom's preview guide channel, Cox Media channel 2 and at icepilots.com sponsored by Sports Avenue. The pre-game show on Friday night vs. Mississippi begins at 7:00 p.m. The pre-game show for Saturday night at Texas begins at 6:30 p.m. and the pre-game show on Sunday begins at 4:30 p.m.

Coach's Radio Show has new location this season
The Ice Pilots Coach's Radio show is broadcasted from the Gutter Lounge at Phoenix Crossing inside the new Liberty Lanes this year located at 3200 North Palafox Street. The show is broadcasted on the Ice Pilots hockey network from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Fans can hear the radio show on WCOA AM 1370 and on the internet at www.icepilots.com sponsored by Sports Avenue. Fans can meet the players, head coach Todd Gordon and members of the Ice Pilots office staff all season long. Forward Brett Gibson and defenseman Aaron Gionet will be the player guests tonight.

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ECHL Stories from December 8, 2003


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