Ice Flyers Fall to the RiverKings at Home 3-1
February 6, 2015 - SPHL (SPHL)
Pensacola Ice Flyers News Release
PENSACOLA, FL - Despite outshooting the RiverKings 40 to 23, the Pensacola Ice Flyers fell to Mississippi with a final score of 3-1 on Friday night at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Just five seconds into the game it was 1-0 for Mississippi after winning the face-off and charging right down to the net with a goal by Matt Whitehead from Mike Henderson and Leo Thomas. Just over a couple minutes later Corey Banfield would even the score for the Ice Flyers. The goal was celebrated with hundreds of teddy bears thrown onto the ice to be donated to the Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. But not long after RiverKings' Linden Bahm gave them their lead back with a power play goal at the 4:49 mark. Mississippi would hold their 2-1 lead to the end of the period.
The second period was scoreless on both ends but was highlighted with a heavy-duty scrap between Pensacola's Brandon Blair and Mississippi's Luke Warner.
Early in the third Mississippi would capitalize for the second time in the game on the power play with a goal from Leo Thomas to give them a two-goal lead. A late slashing penalty on Banfield at the 17:02 mark made it difficult for Pensacola to find their way back in the game with time running out. Max Strang was pulled from the net for the extra man, though it would be a 5-on-5 battle with 45 seconds remaining. However, Mississippi would hold strong and walk away with the 3-1 victory.
RiverKing's goalie Peter Di Salvo managed to turn away 39 of the 40 shots faced from Pensacola and was the number one star of the game.
With the loss the Ice Flyers now hold a record of 17-12-5 for 39 points and remain in sixth place in the SPHL rankings.
Both teams will meet again tomorrow night but this time in Southaven at the Lander's Center with a start time of 7:05 p.m. You can watch live at Beef O Brady's in downtown Pensacola or 9 Mile Road.
The Ice Flyers will be back at home on Sunday to face the Knoxville Ice Bears at 4:05 p.m. Sunday is Scout Day / Faith & Family Night. Local scouts receive group ticket rates. Every scout member in attendance will also receive and Ice Flyers Scout Day patch. There will be a post-game private ice skating session for the scouts as well and tickets are only $6.
In addition, church groups can purchase center-ice seats for $13. Group reservations must be made through the Ice Flyers office before 2 p.m. on Sunday. Call 850-466-3111 for scout / church group reservations.
SPHL Stories from February 6, 2015
- Ice Flyers Fall to the RiverKings at Home 3-1 - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- IceGators Stomp FireAntz - Louisiana IceGators
- Ice Bears Keep Pace on Top with 2-1 OT Win - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Quick Strike Leads to 3-1 RiverKings' Win - Mississippi RiverKings
- Rivermen Surge to 4th Straight Win - Peoria Rivermen
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