Ice Pilots fall to Stingrays 5-4 as a third period comeback falls short
March 3, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release
PENSACOLA, FL - A third-period rally by the Pensacola Ice Pilots fell short tonight at The Hangar, as the South Carolina Stingrays held on for a 5-4 win, their first since February 11th.
The Pensacola Ice Pilots started the scoring at 13:07 in the first period with a power play goal by Nate Metcalf from Sergei Ogorodnikov and Torry Gajda. The Stingrays quickly struck back and evened the game on a power play goal of their own and the first of three by Matt Reid.
In the second period, South Carolina took a 2-1 lead with Reid's second at 49 seconds, then an unassisted goal by Chris Chaput at 4:05 made it 3-1. Reid completed his hat trick on a third goal at 9:28 and it was 4-1. Less than a minute later, Rich Meloche scored his 4th goal of the season, and brought the score up to 4-2. Just as the Ice Pilots thought they had the momentum of the game on their side, the Stingrays answered back with another goal at 12:18 to make it 5-2. Goaltender Michael Mole relieved Evan Lindsay at the 12:18 mark, and shut out the Stingrays for the rest of the contest, turning away 20 of 20 shots.
The Ice Pilots, ignited by three straight penalty kills, mounted an incredible comeback during the third period. First Erik Johnson netted an amazing shorthanded goal, then Metcalf fired one in to round out the scoring at 5-4. Despite the Ice Pilots' best efforts, the Stingrays held onto their lead to win the game.
The victory by South Carolina, combined with tonight's loss by the Charlotte Checkers, tied them for the 5th and final playoff spot in the South Division. The Stingrays improved their record to 27-21-3-4 for 61 points, while the Ice Pilots fell to 17-37-1-2 and 10-15-1-1 at home for 37 points.
The Pensacola Ice Pilots and the South Carolina Stingrays will meet for the second game of the doubleheader tomorrow (Sunday) night at 6:05 pm at The Hangar. Tickets are available at the Pensacola Civic Center box office and at all Ticketmaster locations. For more information, including group rates, call 850-432-7825.
ECHL Stories from March 3, 2007
- Wranglers caught by Roadrunners 4-1 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Steelheads Bitten By Ice Dogs 4-2 - Idaho Steelheads
- Rudkowsky Backs RoadRunners To 4-1 Win - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Grizzlies Fall Short Of Sweep - Utah Grizzlies
- Wildcatters WIN, Back in First Place after 6-0 Shut Out at Utah - Texas Wildcatters
- Ice Pilots fall to Stingrays 5-4 as a third period comeback falls short - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Lynx double Checkers 2-1 - Augusta Lynx
- Stingrays Knock Off Ice Pilots 5-4 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nailers Scalp Chiefs - Wheeling Nailers
- Mondou's two goals leads Trenton comeback - Trenton Devils
- Cey Makes 49 Saves, Elliott Scores, But Wheeling Gets Victory In Extra Session - Johnstown Chiefs
- 'Blades drop 2-1 OT decision to Columbia - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Transactions - Mar. 3 - ECHL
- 38-Goal Scorer Radunske Reassigned To Thunder - Stockton Thunder
- Malcolm MacMillan Loaned To Albany - Reading Royals
- Victoria Salmon Kings game notes - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Koopmans Heads North To Grand Rapids - Toledo Walleye
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Lynx vs. Checkers tonight - Augusta Lynx
- Taylor earns Player of the Month honor - Florida Everblades
- Everblades' Taylor Named CCM TACKS Player Of The Month - ECHL
- Aces outlast Condors, 3-2, in nine-round shootout - Alaska Aces
- Condors Trumped in Nine-Round Shootout By Aces, 3-2 - Bakersfield Condors
- Grumet-Morris stops 34 shots, Geisler and Beckett bury two for Thunder - Stockton Thunder
- Salmon Kings fired up in Fresno - Victoria Salmon Kings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
