First Home Playoff Game is Saturday, April 10 at 7:05 PM

Published on April 5, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


Ice Pilots go 2-2 this past week: The Pensacola Ice Pilots went 2-2 this past week defeating Texas on Tuesday night in overtime 5-4. Kent Sauer scored the game winning goal for the Ice Pilots. The Ice Pilots lost at Louisiana on Thursday 4-1. Brett Gibson scored the goal for the Ice Pilots. The Ice Pilots won at Mississippi on Saturday 2-1. Brett Gibson and J.F. Soucy scored goals for the Ice Pilots. Brian Eklund was the winning goalie tying an ECHL record for most wins in a season with 38 and breaking an ECHL record for minutes played in a season with 3,724. The Ice Pilots lost Saturday at Columbus 3-2. Eric Naud and Jeremy Van Hoof scored the goals for the Ice Pilots.

Ice Pilots Play Louisiana in Central Division Kelly Cup Semi Final Round Best of Five Playoff Series: The following is the playoff schedule:

Game One Wednesday April 7 at Louisiana 7:05 p.m.
Game Two Thursday April 8 at Louisiana 7:05 p.m.
Game Three Saturday April 10 at Pensacola 7:05 p.m.
Game Four Tuesday April 13 at Pensacola 7:05 p.m. (If necessary)
Game Five Wednesday April 14 at Louisiana 7:05 p.m. (If necessary)

Kelly Cup Playoff Strips are available and season tickets for the 2004-2005 season are available by calling the Ice Pilots office at 432-PUCK.

JERSEY AUCTION TO BE HELD AFTER HOME PLAYOFF GAME ON SATURDAY: The Ice Pilots will hold a jersey auction after their home playoff game on Saturday. The white game worn jerseys will be auctioned off. Fans will be able to receive the jerseys after the season is over. Kids will also have the opportunity to get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny for free before the game. A mullet toss contest will take place during the intermission. Former Ice Pilots Glen Metropolit, who will be playing for Team Canada in the World Championships, will drop the p uck and sign autographs at the game on Saturday.

Individual Playoff Tickets available for Saturday's home Playoff Game: Fans can purchase individual playoff tickets in person at the Civic Center box office, at any Ticketmaster location, Charge by Phone at 434-7444 or through the Ice Pilots website at www.icepilots.com. Kelly Cup Playoff Strip tickets are available for all potential Ice Pilots home games along with group tickets and season tickets for next season by calling 432-PUCK.

Ice Pilots leaders: Ice Pilots defenseman Corey Neilson lead the team with 78 points and lead the team with 59 assists and finished third in the league with his 59 assists. Neilson lead defenseman in the league in scoring. Neilson is first in the league with 44 power play points and first with 35 power play assists. Brian Eklund is first in the league with 38 wins, (which tied a record by an echl goalie in a season) 2,194 saves (which is a league record), 3,724 minutes played which is a record and is second with 5 shootout wins. Eklund's 38 wins is an Ice Pilots record for most wins by a goalie in a season. Jean Francois Soucy is second among all rookies with 57 minor penalties. Peter Fregoe is second among rookies with 5 shorthanded points and 3 shorthanded goals.

Corey Neilson this past week was named All-ECHL First Team and the Defensive Player of the Year.

Nominated Player of the Week: Brett Gibson has been nominated for Player of the Week and Brian Eklund has been nominated for goalie of the week. Brian Eklund is the Ice Pilots Dodge Player of the Week.

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 $15 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 eight players on the roster assigned from Tampa Bay. They are goalies Brian Eklund, Evgeny Konstantinov and forward Dwayne Hay. Forward Jean Francois Soucy, forward Evgeni Arthukin forward Ryan Craig and defenseman Jeremy Van Hoof and Andreas Holmqvist are also assigned from Tampa. Ryan Craig and Evgeni Artukhin 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.

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, ESPN Radio AM 1340 in Okaloosa and Ft. Walton counties, Cox Media channel 2 and at icepilots.com sponsored by Sports Avenue. The pre-game show on Wednesday and Thursday will begin at 7:00 p.m. The pre game show on Saturday will begin at 6:30 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. Brian Collins and Peter Fregoe will be the player guests tonight on the Coach's Radio Show.

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ECHL Stories from April 5, 2004


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