Ice Pilots score late to beat Checkers

Published on December 1, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - Forward Mike Wirll scored two spectacular goals to power the Pensacola Ice Pilots to a 4-2 victory over the Charlotte Checkers at Bobcat Arena in Charlotte on Friday night.

The Ice Pilots won their fourth of the season and their third game away from home. It was the eight one-goal game the Blue and Gold have been involved in this season and the win improved that mark to 3-3-1-1.

Pensacola will try to finish off the road trip with three wins when they face the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday night in North Charleston.

In the game on Friday night, Mike Wirll opened the scoring early in the first period when he banked a shot off the Checkers goaltender Chris Holt to make it 1-0.

In the second period, Charlotte tied the game up on the power play but just over a minute later Pensacola regained the lead when Rob Rankin finished off a scramble in front of the net from Dallas Steward and Mario Joly to make it 2-1.

The final frame was fast paced with both teams having great quality chances to score. Charlotte tied the game up at 2-2 with a goal with just over two minutes remaining in regulation time. But that only fueled the Ice Pilots fire as Mike Wirll used boards to pass the puck to himself and then roofed a shot past goaltender Holt to give the Ice Pilots the lead with just 1:07 remaining in the third period. Then off the ensuing face off Charlotte pulled its goaltender looking for the equalizer and the Ice Pilots stole the puck and Rob Rankin found the empty net to round out the scoring.

Charlotte out shot Penscola 33-24 but the ECHL's no. 2 power play could only muster one goal on the man advantage. The Ice Pilots were 1 for 7 on the power play.

Michael Mole posted the win in goal and played well, making some big saves especially in the third period.

The fourth game of the road trip for the Ice Pilots is Saturday night against the South Carolina Stingrays. Fans can tune into the action on Classic Country AM1620 beginning with Ice Pilots Countdown to Face-off at 5:45 pm followed by the puck drop at 6 pm The game is also available on the world wide web at www.icepilots.com by clicking on the Sportsjuice logo, and it can also be viewed for a nominal fee on the B2Networks.

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