Ice Bears Enjoy Seventh Heaven with Victory
Published on December 30, 2012 under SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release
Knoxville, TN - The Knoxville Ice Bears fended off two, 2 goal deficits to defeat the Mississippi RiverKings 7-5 in front of a crowd of 3,476 for their inaugural Kids Run the Show Night.
The Knoxville Ice Bears started the game by spotting the visiting RiverKings two goals less than four minutes into the game as RiverKings' forwards Jeremy Dawes and Mike MacDonald notched markers 40 seconds apart.
The Ice Bears turned the table when Eric Satim broke up a RiverKings rush at center ice and broke in three-on-one. Satim dropped the puck to Mark Van Vliet who passed the puck to a wide open Matt Pierce as he buried the puck in a wide open net to cut the lead to 2-1. Mississippi added to their lead at 15:06 on the power play as Ice Bears' forward Brett Valliquette was sitting for a rarely called seven minute penalty. The first period ended with the RiverKings leading 3-1.
The second period was a contrast of the first when Ice Bears pugilist Brad Pawlowski showed he had soft hands when they are not a fist. At 1:45 of the second period, Pawlowski skated the puck through the neutral zone and cut across the blue line and rocketed a wrist shot past RiverKings goaltender David Wilson to cut the lead to 3-2. Tyler Fernandez, two and half minutes later wristed a nasty shot over Wilson's shoulder to tie the game at 3. RiverKings forward Nick Walsh put the RiverKings back on top at 13:36.
Valliquette made up for first period indiscretions as he scored a power play goal with 1:45 remaining in the second period when he tipped the puck off a bullet shot from Ice Bears' defenseman Jeremy Klaver to tie the game at four after 40 minutes of play.
The third period tilted in 5-4 favor of the RiverKings early when diminutive centerman Patrick Gaul scored at 5:26 to take the lead for the third time in the game. Knoxville looked to change their fortunes at 8:10, when Ice Bears' leading scorer Berkley Scott was left alone in the high slot as he ripped a snapshot past Wilson to tie the game at five. From that point on it was all Ice Bears. Eric Satim gave the Ice Bears their first lead of the game at 9:19, when he wristed a laser over Wilson's shoulder.
Jon Higgins finished off the scoring at 14:04. Camped alone in front of Wilson, he buried a rebound off a thunderous shot from Pierce through the legs of Wilson. Ice Bears skated to center ice to thank their fans at the end of 60 minutes of play and a final score 7-5.
The Ice Bears take to the road next weekend when they travel to Huntsville for one game and Biloxi, MS for two games. Catch all road games at Buffalo Wild Wings at Turkey Creek for the away game viewing party. The Ice Bears are back home Jan 11th and 12th for Pucks 'n Claws and the double feature Legends' Game respectively. To order tickets call (865) 656-4444 or visit www.knoxvilletickets.com .
Attached is press release written by twelve year old Rilee Poffenroth as part of the Kids Run the Show promotion.
Mercedes Benz and Land Rover of Knoxville Three Stars of the Game:
1st Star - Matt Pierce (Knoxville) 2nd Star - Tyler Fernandez (Knoxville) 3rd Star - Emery Olauson (Knoxville)
SPHL Stories from December 30, 2012
- IceGators Storm Back to Beat Surge in Overtime - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Bears Enjoy Seventh Heaven with Victory - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Pensacola blanks Surge - Mississippi Surge
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