Ice Pilots comeback bid falls short
Published on February 23, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release
PENSACOLA, FL - The No. 7 has been the Ice Pilots friend the past two games, but that wasn't the case on Friday night at The Hangar.
The Pensacola Ice Pilots surrendered a late goal with 51 seconds remaining in regulation time and dropped a 7-6 decision to the Columbia Inferno. The loss halted the Ice Pilots two game winning streak, and a bid to win three in a row for just the second time this season.
The season series between the Ice Pilots and the Inferno has been dominated by the visiting team. Pensacola has won three of the four games in Columbia, while the Inferno has taken three games of the four in the Gulf Coast.
The game featured 13 goals, including a six pack scored in the second period. The Ice Pilots' record fell to 17-35-1-1 for 36 points and 10-13-1-1 at home, while the Inferno improved their record to 20-26-4-4 for 46 points and 12-12-3-1 on the road.
The night started the way both games did this week for the Ice Pilots as the visitors scored first. But the Blue and Gold quickly responded with two goals in 1:22 apart. First John Hecimovic fired his 16th of the year, and then Greg Watson on the power play with his 8th of the season.
In the second period, the Ice Pilots increased their lead to 3-1 on a second power play goal - this time Hecimovic's 17th. After Columbia pulled to within a goal, the Ice Pilots took another two goal lead off the stick of Rob Rankin.
However, after that goal, the Inferno went to work and scored three straight in a span of six minutes to make it 5-4 after 40 minutes.
There was even more excitement in the third period as the Ice Pilots tied the game at 5-5 when Nate Metcalf scored his team's third power play goal of the game at 6:18 mark.
Less than three minutes later the Inferno regained the lead at 6-5, only to see the Ice Pilots tie the contest yet again 6-6 on a great individual effort from Erik Johnson. The goal sent the crowd into a frenzy.
It appeared that the game was destined to go into overtime, but just 14 second later the Inferno scored the go ahead and eventual game winner. The Ice Pilots pulled their goaltender in the final seconds trying to get the equalizer and had chances but couldn't score.
The Ice Pilots out shot the Inferno 33-32 in the game and didn't allow Columbia to score a power play marker.
Notes: The Pensacola Ice Pilots return to action on Sunday afternoon when they face the Gwinnett Gladiators in Georgia in the first of a short two game road trip. Fans can tune into the game live on Classic Country AM1620, beginning with the pre-game show at 2:45 pm. The play-by-play follows at 3 pm with Denis J. Puska bringing you all the excitement.
ECHL Stories from February 23, 2007
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- Ice Pilots look for three wins in a row tonight - Pensacola Ice Pilots
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