Ice Pilots Weekly

Published on February 18, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


PENSACOLA, FL - The Ice Pilots play their first home game in two weeks when they take on the Gwinnett Gladiators for the final time this season. The Pilots will officially finish the season long six game road trip when they take on the rival Mississippi Sea Wolves in Biloxi on Tuesday night. The Ice Pilots lost a couple of one goal games to the Columbia Inferno last week. One earned them a point in overtime on Valentine's night. Bryan Esner is leading the club in scoring with 36 points (19g-17a).

This week's Games

Friday, Feb. 22 vs. Gwinnett at 7:05 p.m. (Pensacola Civic Center)

The Ice Pilots renew acquaintances with the Gwinnett Gladiators as it will be the final meeting of the season between the two teams. The Pilots are 2-5-1 against Gwinnett this season. Jeff Campbell leads Gwinnett and the ECHL in scoring with 65 points (15g-50a). Goaltender Craig Kowalski is 19-5-2 with a 2.45 GAA.

Friday Night is College Night as all tickets for college students, faculty and family are just $5 in advance and $6 on the day of the game.

Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Mississippi at 7:05 p.m. (Mississippi Coast Coliseum)

The Ice Pilots take on the Mississippi Sea Wolves in Biloxi on Tuesday night. The Pilots trail the Sea Wolves for the eight spot in the South Division and will meet Mississippi five more times including this game. Jason Tejchma leads the Sea Wolves with 47 points (18g-29a).

Sunday, Feb. 24 at Mississippi at 5:05 p.m. (Mississippi Coast Coliseum)

Pensacola heads right back to Biloxi for another game with the rival Sea Wolves. Goaltender Ryan Munce has been huge for Mississippi this season. He is 14-9-0 with a 2.70 GAA.

Upcoming Home Games

Friday, February 29 vs. Florida at 7:05 p.m. (Faith Night)

Saturday, March 1 vs. Florida at 7:05 p.m. (Boy Scout Night)

Sunday, March 2 vs. Florida at 5:05 p.m. (Saturn Sunday and Recycle Sunday)

Ice Pilots Itinerary

Monday - Off-Ice Workout

Tuesday - Pre-Game Skate at 10 a.m. at Pensacola Civic Center

GAME at Mississippi, 7:05 p.m. at Mississippi Coast Coliseum

Wednesday - Practice at 11 a.m.

Thursday - Practice at 10 a.m.

Tip-A-Pilot, 6 p.m. at Beef O'Brady's on Nine Mile Road

Friday - Pre-Game Skate at 10 a.m.

GAME vs. Gwinnett, 7:05 p.m. at Pensacola Civic Center

Saturday - Day Off

Sunday - GAME at Mississippi, 5:05 p.m. at Mississippi Coast Coliseum

(All Practices at home are open to the public and all Times are CT).

Countdown to History Head Coach John Marks sits just two wins away from tying John Brophy for the most career wins as a head coach in ECHL history. Marks currently has 478 career victories and three more wins will make him the career leader. He has coached 14 seasons in the ECHL.

Tip-A-Pilot

Ice Pilots players will be serving up food and beverages at the annual Tip-A-Pilot this Thursday, February 21st from 6 to 8 p.m. at Beef 'O' Brady's on Nine Mile Road to benefit the Favor House, a local non-profit for abused women and children. The entire Ice Pilots team will be dressing as waiters for the evening and fans will have the opportunity to be served by their favorite Ice Pilots players as all tips will go to the Favor House.

Radio Show

The next show will take place on tonight, Monday, February 18 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at New York Nick's in Downtown Pensacola. Tonight's guests include defenseman J.R. Bria and Left-winger Michael Cohen.

Roster Moves

Forward Adam Berti was loaned to the Ice Pilots from the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.

Goaltender Mike Brodeur was reassigned to Rockford, then called up to the NHL and dressed in Sunday's game for the Blackhawks.

Defenseman Adam Meyer was released as he has returned to his SPHL club.

Good Numbers

The Ice Pilots are 91% (40-44) in the last nine games on the penalty kill.

Bryan Esner has scored nine points (6g-3a) in his last seven games.

Michael Cohen is averaging a point per game in his last 11 contests (3g-8a).

The Ice Pilots are 4-3-2 in the month of February.

Last week's Games

Thursday at Columbia (4-3 OT Loss)

Jeremy Hall redirected a shot from defenseman Reid Cashman at 38 seconds of overtime to give the Columbia Inferno a 4-3 overtime win versus the Ice Pilots at the Carolina Coliseum. Both teams enjoyed plenty of odd man rushes in the opening period, but it was Bryan Esner capitalizing on a turnover created by J.R. Bria to boost the Ice Pilots to a 1-0 lead. However it was a turnover of their own that allowed the Inferno to tie the game at one as Steve McJannet scored shorthanded for Columbia. The second period saw Liam Huculak score to give the Inferno their first lead of the game just 46 seconds in and it was 2-1 Columbia. Adam Hobson answered the call, earning his first ECHL goal, on a great feed from Bryan McGregor and the Ice Pilots converted on the 2 on 0 to make it 2-2. Columbia didn't relinquish the lead for long as Mac Faulkner netted the second shorthanded goal of the evening for the home club as the Inferno went back ahead 3-2. Luke Erickson found the back of the net, getting his first goal in 16 games to even the score at three. Phil Youngclaus assisted on the power play goal which came with just one second remaining on the man advantage. The two clubs each with a couple of power play chances played a scoreless third period as the game went to overtime. Columbia's defenseman Cashman fired a shot from the blue line that was redirected by Hall and the Inferno defeated Pensacola 4-3.

Friday at South Carolina (5-2 Loss)

Steve Pinizzotto scored two goals as the South Carolina Stingrays defeated the Ice Pilots 5-2 at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Ice Pilots enjoyed a couple power play opportunities but it was South Carolina that took advantage. Trent Campbell fed Cail Maclean and he fired a one timer past Ice Pilots goaltender Mike Brodeur to give the Stingrays a 1-0 lead. The Stingrays added to their lead as Campbell found the back of the net, netting his 10th goal of the season to make it 2-0. The Ice Pilots registered their first goal of the game to cut the lead to one as Captain Dan Sullivan fired a blast from just outside the top of the right wing circle as it was 2-1. Travis Morin, the Stingrays leading scorer, went top shelf to give South Carolina the two goal lead back at 3-1. Steve Pinizzoto scored a power play goal just under four minutes into the third to increase the South Carolina lead to 4-1. Mathieu Roy would give the Pilots hope as he punched the puck in past goaltender Josh Johnson to cut the lead to 4-2. Michael Cohen and Bryan Esner helped on the tally. South Carolina would close up shot as Pinizzoto struck again and the Stingrays went on for the 5-2 win. Mike Brodeur stopped 37 Stingrays shots.

Saturday at Columbia (3-2 Loss)

Bryan Esner scored two third period goals but it wasn't enough as Jeff Jakaitis made 39 saves and the Columbia Inferno defeated the Ice Pilots 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at the Carolina Coliseum. The Inferno showed off their number one penalty kill in the league, shutting down the Ice Pilots power play on all three attempts include a 40 second five on three. It was Dan Glover firing a one timer past Cam Ellsworth to give Columbia a 1-0 lead. Ellsworth who took a risk to try and whack the puck away from behind the net could not get back in good positioning and Glover took advantage. Pensacola out shot the Inferno 21-8. The second period remained quiet as neither team was unable to score and Pensacola out shot the Inferno 12-9. Cam Ellsworth made some key saves to keep the Pilots in the game. Columbia added to the lead in the third period as Steve McJannet and Todd Perry tallied goals to give the Inferno a 3-0 lead. The Pilots would come back as Bryan Esner scored two goals in a span of 5:22 to cut the lead to 3-2 but Jakaitis was strong in the Inferno victory. The Ice Pilots out shot Columbia 41-25.

Flight Deck

The Ice Pilots have introduced the new flight deck, available at the Hangar for home games. The Flight Deck is located between sections 105 and 108 on the event level and is a perfect party area for groups, business associates and birthday parties. It can come complete with a cash bar and catered food. For more information, contact the Ice Pilots at 432-PUCK.

Broadcast Information

You can catch all the Ice Pilots action home and away on Newsradio 1620am, the flagship station for the Pensacola Ice Pilots. Ice Pilots' Broadcasts begin with the Hill-Kelly Dodge Jeep Pilots Pre-game Show 15 minutes prior to all games and concludes with Pilots Post-Game presented by Wal-Mart. Also, join us for the next coach's show, tonight, Monday, February 18 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at New York Nick's in Downtown Pensacola. The Coach's Show also airs on Newsradio 1620. Fans can get involved by asking questions live or via phone at 437-1620.

Ticket Information

Don't miss the hard hitting, exciting action, as the Ice Pilots' next home game is Friday, February 22 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Gwinnett at the Civic Center. It is College Night, as tickets are just $5 for students, faculty and family. Group Tickets and Military Packages are still available through the Ice Pilots office. For more information, or to reserve your seats, call (850) 432-PUCK, or visit the Ice Pilots web site at www.icepilots.com.



ECHL Stories from February 18, 2008


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