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Ice Pilots Weekly

February 25, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


PENSACOLA, FL - The Ice Pilots are coming off a near perfect week that saw them go 2-0-1 in three games. Head Coach John Marks has tied John Brophy for the most career wins in ECHL History at 480. He can break the all-time mark with one more victory. Pensacola will face-off for three games against the rival Florida Everblades this week at the Hangar. Bryan Esner leads the Ice Pilots in scoring with 21 goals and 40 points while Mathieu Roy holds the team lead in assists with 21.

This week's Games

Friday, Feb. 29 at 7:05 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 1 at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday, Mar. 2 at 5:05 p.m. vs. Florida (Pensacola Civic Center)

The Ice Pilots get together with their in-state foes in the Florida Everblades for three games beginning on Friday night at the Hangar. Pensacola is 2-5-0 against the Everblades as Florida has won the last three meetings. The Everblades are led by Mathieu Melanson and Derek Damon who each have 52 points.

Friday Night is Faith Night as the band Journeysong will perform.

Saturday is Boy Scout Night.

Sunday is Saturn Sunday and Recycle Sunday.

Upcoming Home Games

Saturday, March 15 vs. Charlotte at 7:05 p.m. (Military Night)

Sunday, March 16 vs. Charlotte at 5:05 p.m. (Saturn Sunday and Recycle Sunday)

Monday, March 17 vs. Charlotte at 7:05 p.m. (St. Patrick's Day)

Ice Pilots Itinerary

Monday - Day Off

Tuesday - Practice at 10 a.m.

Wednesday - Practice at 10 a.m.

Thursday - Practice at 10 a.m.

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

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

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

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

Sunday - GAME vs. Florida, 5:05 p.m. at Pensacola Civic Center

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

Countdown to History Head Coach John Marks has tied John Brophy for the most career wins in ECHL History at 480. He sits just one victory away from becoming the career leader. Marks is in his ECHL record 14th season as a head coach and has won two championships in the league.

Radio Show

The next show will take place on tonight, Monday, February 25 from 6-7 p.m. at New York Nick's in Downtown Pensacola. Tonight's guests include defenseman Adam Meyer and Athletic Trainer Chad Weprin.

Roster Moves

Goaltender Mike Brodeur was reassigned to Rockford

Defenseman Adam Meyer has returned to the Ice Pilots from his SPHL club.

The Ice Pilots picked up forward Nathan Barrett off waivers from Victoria then traded him to Las Vegas for future considerations.

Forward Matt Rogers was acquired from Trenton for future considerations while forward Joel Stepp was sent to Stockton for future considerations.

Good Numbers

Head Coach John Marks has 480 career ECHL wins, tied with John Brophy for most all-time.

Adam Berti has scored six points (2g-4a) in his first four games as an Ice Pilot.

Mike Brodeur stopped 71 of 77 shots in two victories last week.

The Ice Pilots are 6-3-3 in the month of February.

Ice Pilots in the Community

ESE Students visit the Civic Center for Ice Pilots practice on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

FCAT Pep Rally at OJ Semmes Elementary on Thursday from noon till 1:30 p.m.

Last week's Games

Tuesday at Mississippi (5-4 WIN)

Captain Dan Sullivan scored two goals and rookie Patrick Bordeleau scored his first goal as an Ice Pilot which was the eventual game winner in a 5-4 win over the Sea Wolves at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The Ice Pilots lit up Mississippi goaltender Morgan Cey for three first period goals. Pensacola trailed 1-0 as AHL product Mike Egener scored his first goal with the Sea Wolves from a shot that went just above the glove side of Ice Pilots goaltender Mike Brodeur to make it 1-0. Then the Ice Pilots came alive as Pensacola scored three unanswered goals. It started with Captain Dan Sullivan at 9:55 of the period with a beautiful feed from Bryan McGregor to even the score at one. It was Sullivan's sixth goal of the season. 2:20 later, Michael Cohen with a turnaround shot from the top of the right circle beat Cey and the Ice Pilots held their first lead of the night. The pressure continued on Mississippi as Mathieu Roy tipped one in on a mad scramble. It was a power play goal and after 20 minutes of play, Pensacola led 3-1. Things quieted down in the second period as Sea Wolves forward Kyle McAllister scored on Mississippi's second power play of the period to cut the lead to one, 3-2 Ice Pilots. The third period was no doubt a nerve-racking one as Mississippi tied the game at three on a goal by Lance Monych. Dan Sullivan gave the Ice Pilots the lead back with his second of the night and Pensacola led once again 4-3 at 8:44 of the period. Just about three minutes later, Patrick Bordeleau scored his first goal as an Ice Pilot to give Pensacola some insurance and pad the lead to two, 5-3. The Sea Wolves made a game of it late as Marek Kvapil with a great individual effort made it a 5-4 game. In his return from the NHL, Mike Brodeur made some sensational saves, 33 overall as the Ice Pilots held on for the 5-4 victory. Ice Pilots Head Coach notched win number 479 as a head man in the ECHL.

Friday vs. Gwinnett (3-2 WIN)

Mike Brodeur made 38 saves and Head Coach John Marks earned his 480th career win in the ECHL as the Ice Pilots defeated the Gwinnett Gladiators 3-2 in front of 3,703 at the Pensacola Civic Center. Marks ties John Brophy for the most career wins as a coach in ECHL History. The Ice Pilots gave up an early goal but responded with three unanswered tallies. In the first period, Lou Dickenson threw a sharp angle shot towards the Ice Pilots net just 24 seconds into the game. It was stopped by Mike Brodeur but unfortunately the puck was knocked in on a clearing attempt and Gwinnett led 1-0 after the first 20 minutes. The Pilots used the special teams to their advantage as Adam Berti fired a shot from the slot beating Craig Kowalski to even the score at one. Bryan Esner and Mike Cohen assisted on the power play goal. The Pilots took their first lead of the evening when Bryan McGregor fed Patrick Bordeleau and he trickled the puck past Kowalski to give the Pilots a 2-1 advantage. Then Berti fired a gorgeous pass to Bryan Esner and he finished the play on an unbelievable angle to make it 3-1 Pilots. Gwinnett would grab a late goal but Brodeur was sensational and the Ice Pilots get the victory for Coach Marks.

Sunday at Mississippi (3-2 SO Loss)

The Ice Pilots charged into Mississippi picking up a point but losing in a shoot out 3-2 to the Sea Wolves at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Jason Tejchma scored the final shoot out goal to win it for the Sea Wolves in the fifth round keeping history on hold. The Sea Wolves peppered Ice Pilots goaltender Cam Ellsworth with 18 first period shots but he stood tall stopping them all. Mississippi was unable to convert on their three power plays while the Ice Pilots went 0 for 2 and it was scoreless after 20 minutes. Adam Berti put the Ice Pilots up 1-0 at 6:44 of the second period as he fired a shot from the left wing circle past Sea Wolves goaltender Ryan Munce. Bryan Esner increased the Ice Pilots lead to 2-0 as he scored shorthanded with just 53 seconds left in the second period. Mississippi answered though as Chris Cava's drive from the right point connected with 10 seconds left as the Sea Wolves scored on the power play and the Ice Pilots had a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. In the third period, Mark Hurtubise redirected a shot from Cava at the line to tie the game at two and force overtime. Neither team was able to score in the five minute extra session as the game went to a shoot out. In the fourth round, Luke Erickson put the Pilots ahead 1-0 but Hurtubise responded and in the fifth and final round it was Tejchma winning it. Cam Ellsworth made 42 saves in the defeat.

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 conclude with Pilots Post-Game presented by Wal-Mart. Also, join us for the next coach's show, tonight, Monday, February 25 from 6-7 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 29 at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Florida Everblades at the Civic Center. It is Faith Night as the band Journeysong will be performing. 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 25, 2008


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