SPHL Knoxville Ice Bears

Ice Bears Ground Ice Flyers

Published on November 20, 2010 under SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release


Knoxville, TN - Chris Pontes' two goals and an a late offensive barrage grounded the Pensacola Ice Flyers, giving the Knoxville Ice Bears a much-needed win on home ice and splitting a pair of games in weekend action at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

After losing 5-4 last night, the Ice Bears played a powerful game and a solid third period, conquering the Ice Flyers 7-3 shattering Pensacola's three-game win streak.

For the second night in a row, Pensacola scored first and fast- just 5 minutes into the first period. Ice Bears captain Mike Bulawka tied the game with a clean shot from Frank Furdero and Mark Van Vliet, putting the puck past Pensacola goalie Robert Scott. Just 1:03 minutes later, Eric Slais finds the stick of Pontes, who rocketed one past Scott, giving the Ice Bears a 2-1 lead going into the first intermission.

The second period started with another early goal from Pensacola to tie the game at 2. About 2 ½ minutes later, Pontes scored his second goal of the game slipping the puck past Scott and once again lifting Knoxville into the lead.

The Ice Bears wasted no time increasing their lead when 43 seconds later Mark Van Vliet, scored with help from David Segal and Slais. After some impressive saves by Knoxville goalie Bryan Hince, the Ice Bears ended the second period with a 4-2 lead over Pensacola.

Segal and Pensacola's Tanner Shultz started the third period with a punch, dropping their gloves right as the puck hit the ice. It wasn't until the next penalty, however, that Pensacola scored a power play goal bringing the score to 4-3.

Knoxville shut down Pensacola's hope of overtime when Emery Olauson scored his seventh goal of the season off a pass from Van Vliet and Martin Kubaliak.

When Knoxville's Dallas Costanzo was penalized for hooking, Pensacola pulled their goalie and skated 6-on-4 against the Ice Bears. Even with their two-man advantage, Pensacola's shot on goal was deflected and Furdero shot 165 feet down the ice into an empty goal for an unassisted, short-handed empty net goal and cementing a Knoxville win.

In an exciting individual performance, Slais took the puck from Kubaliak back to the net 27 seconds later a league leading forth short-handed goal. The Ice Bears ended the night with a 7-3 win over the Pensacola's Ice Flyers.

The Ice Bears face the Fayetteville FireAntz on the road this Thursday, and return home to take on the Columbus Cottonmouths on Friday, November 26. Join the Ice Bears at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum for the fan favorite Wiener Dog Race.

Check out the Knoxville Ice Bears Statistics

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