Ice Pilots beat Gwinnett 5-4 to win regular season finale
April 7, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release
PENSACOLA, FL - The Pensacola Ice Pilots saved the best for last in their 2006-2007 regular season finale at The Hangar on Saturday night.
Dan Sullivan scored the game winning goal at the 9:50 mark of the third period to lift the Ice Pilots to a 5-4 victory over the Gwinnett Gladiators in front of one of the largest crowds in recent memory of 6,309.
The Ice Pilots halted an 11 game winless streak and finished 20-46-2-4 for 46 points and 12-19-2-3 on home ice.
It was a terrific start to the game for the Ice Pilots as they raced out to a quick 3-0 first-period lead. The scoring was started by Dwayne Hay who made his return to the line-up and delighted the large crowd by scoring the game's first goal shorthanded. Jess Baraniuk and Dan Sullivan added assists on the goal.
Just over two minutes later the Ice Pilots increased their lead when Rob Rankin scored on the power play from Dan Sullivan and Jesse Baraniuk. The Ice Pilots made it 3-0 near the end of the first period when Derrick Byfuglien scored his fourth of the season from Dwayne Hay and David Wrigley. It was the Ice Pilots second power play goal.
The game just kept on getting better for the Ice Pilots as they made it 4-0 on a 5 on 3 shorthanded goal by David Wrigley his 24th of the year from Nikita Korovkin.
But after that the Gwinnett Gladiators would mount their comeback with four consecutive goals including the equalizer earlier in third period to tie the game up at 4-4.
However, the Ice Pilots bent, but they didn't break and it would be Dan Sullivan the hero scoring off the face off when the puck was neatly kept in at the line from Nate Metcalf. Dwayne Hay notched his second assist of the game.
Down the stretch rookie Adam Geragosian was outstanding keeping his team in front to notch his first professional win. He becomes the second rookie goaltender for the Ice Pilots not notch their first professional win as Ben Gray did it in mid-December.
Jesse Baraniuk finished the game with two assists.
The Gladiators were 2 for 9 on the power play but gave up two shorthanded goals while the Ice Pilots were 2 for 4 on the power play.
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