SPHL Knoxville Ice Bears

Ice Bears Fall in Overtime

Published on January 27, 2012 under SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release


KNOXVILLE, TN - 4,538 fans joined the Knoxville Ice Bears at Civic Coliseum for a Pink in the Rink to benefit the Komen for the Cure Foundation. The Ice Bears took the ice in pink jerseys celebrating survivors of breast cancer in a seesaw affair with the Fayetteville FireAntz. Both traded leads throughout the game, but it was the FireAntz that scored the final goal in overtime 6-5 to walk away with the victory.

Fayetteville's Sean Cryer was sent to the penalty box for 4 minutes just 4:35 minutes into the game giving the Ice Bears an extended power play. Three minutes into the power-play, Emery Olauson was penalized for roughing forcing the teams to skate 4-on-4. The Ice Bears notched their first goal just 11 seconds into 4-on-4 play when Captain Kevin Swider scored his 25th goal of the season and the only point in the first period.

The second period exploded with 5 goals scored in the first 2:39 minutes of the game. Former Ice Bear Rob Sich tied the game 19 seconds into the start of the period. The Ice Bears answered 59 seconds later on a goal by Ricky Helmbrecht assisted by Olauson and Swider.

Bremner increased the Ice Bears lead to 3-1 at 1:27 with assists from Eric Satim and Tyler Fletcher. Then at 1:45 Sich scored his second goal of the game. At the 2:39 mark Sich scored finished off the hat trick in just 2 minutes and 20 seconds of game time to tie the game at 3.

Fayetteville took their first lead of the game when they slipped the puck past Knoxville goalie Jesse Kallechy at 9:58. The Ice Bears were awarded two power plays but were unable find the equalizer. David Segal ended the period when he squared off against heavyweight Anthony Pisano who held an 8" and 75 pound advantage.

Fayetteville increased their lead to 5-3 just 38 seconds into the third period with a goal from Chris Leveille. Tyler Fletcher brought it up to 5-4 when he fired the puck over Fayetteville goalie Mike Brown. Satim assisted the goal. Eric Slais tied the game at 5 when he shot the puck over Brown once again. Mike Towns and Brett Valliquette assisted on the equalizer.

The Ice Bears had three power play opportunities but couldn't find the back of the net. Deadlocked at 5, the game moved into a five minute 3-on-3 overtime. Ice Bears first liners Swider, Olauson and Mark Van Vliet took the ice for overtime but it was Fayetteville that sealed victory just 17 seconds into overtime on Jesse Cole's first goal as a member of the FireAntz.

Join the Ice Bears back on home ice on February 4 to face the Columbus Cottonmouths. It's the ice Bears' annual Star Wars Tribute Night as members of the 501st Legion will be on hand and in your favorite Star Wars costumes. Fans are also encouraged to bring a new unopened toy for the troy drive benefitting Children's Hospital. The puck drops at 7:30.

Check out the Knoxville Ice Bears Statistics

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