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Ice Pilots Weekly

March 3, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


PENSACOLA, FL - It was an historic weekend at the Hangar as Ice Pilots Head Coach John Marks became the all-time winningest coach in ECHL History after a 5-4 shoot out win on Friday night. He earned win #481 to pass John Brophy for the record. The Ice Pilots finished off February red hot and started the month of March on a high note. Pensacola went 2-1-0 in the three games series against the Everblades this past weekend at the Hangar. 11,077 fans came out over the weekend to take in the three games. The Ice Pilots are 4-1-1 in their last six games and 8-4-3 since February 1st. The Pilots continue to close the gap for the eighth playoff spot in the South Division. Pensacola trails Mississippi by 12 points but has three games in hand and the two rivals match-up three times in the final seven days of the season. Bryan Esner continues to lead the Ice Pilots with 21 goals and 40 points.

Radio Show

The next show will take place on tonight, Monday, March 3 from 6-7:30 p.m. at New York Nick's in Downtown Pensacola. It is a special show celebrating Head Coach John Marks historic milestone. Ice Pilots President Greg Schuh and Jim Roberts from Newsradio 1620 will join Marks and "Voice of the Ice Pilots" Anthony Langella, Jr. Call-in guests will include Ice Pilots Governor Mario Forgione, ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna and the first commissioner of the ECHL Pat Kelly. There will be special prize giveaways.

This week's Games

Friday, Mar. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 8 at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday, Mar. 9 at 4:05 p.m. vs. Texas (Ford Arena)

The Ice Pilots visit Texas for possibly the final time to take on the number one team in the league in the Wildcatters. Pensacola is looking for their first win against Texas this season but has played the Wildcatters tough, battling in several one goal games. Texas is moving the Ontario, CA following the season. John McNabb is one of the top scorers in the league, leading Texas with 66 points (26g-40a).

Upcoming Home Games

Saturday, March 15 vs. Charlotte at 7:05 p.m. (Military Night, Camo Jersey Auction After Game)

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. (Team Photo Night by WalMart and St. Patrick's Day)

Ice Pilots Itinerary

Monday - Day Off

Tuesday - Practice at 10 a.m.

Wednesday - Practice in Beaumont, TX

Thursday - Practice in Beaumont, TX

Friday - Pre-Game Skate at 11:15 a.m.

GAME at Texas, 7:30 p.m. at Ford Arena

Saturday - Pre-Game Skate at 11:15 a.m.

GAME at Texas, 7:05 p.m. at Ford Arena

Sunday - GAME at Texas, 4:05 p.m. at Ford Arena

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

Roster Moves

Forward Adam Berti was recalled to AHL affiliate Rockford while defenseman JC Sawyer returned after a one day stint with the club.

Goaltender Mike Brodeur is still with Rockford.

Good Numbers

Head Coach John Marks now has 482 career ECHL wins as he passed John Brophy for the most career wins in ECHL History as a head coach.

The Ice Pilots finished the month of February with a 7-3-3 record.

Pensacola is 13-6-7 in one goal games.

The Ice Pilots are 10-2-0 when allowing two goals or less.

Pensacola's penalty killing is at 89% since February 1st.

Ice Pilots in the Community

Mon. Mar. 10, Marines Field Day at MATSG-21 NAS, 6:30 p.m.

Thurs. Mar. 13, MWR Portside Club at NAS Pensacola, 7pm-9pm

Sat. Mar. 15, Health Fair at International Paper, noon-2pm

Last week's Games

Friday vs. Florida (5-4 SO WIN)

The Ice Pilots rallied from a two goal deficit coming back in dramatic fashion to defeat the Florida Everblades in a shootout 5-4 as Head Coach John Marks earned win number 481, becoming the all-time winningest coach in ECHL history. The win was the first in a shoot out this season for the Ice Pilots. A crowd 4,319 turned out for the historical night at the Pensacola Civic Center. The game was a roller coaster of sorts as the Ice Pilots scored twice early followed by four unanswered Everblades goals. Pensacola tied things up in the third and won it in the shootout as Adam Hobson scored in the final round to extend it. Michael Cohen followed with a goal to force a seventh round and that's when Bryan McGregor sealed the victory. The Ice Pilots came out firing as Adam Hobson scored just 42 seconds in to give Pensacola a 1-0 lead. Not soon after at 3:06, defenseman Tim Songin pinched in and blasted his second goal of the season past Everblades net minder David Shantz and the Pilots were cooking, up 2-0. Florida responded with three unanswered goals 1:56 apart. First, Ernie Hartlieb with his 19th goal put the Everblades on the board. Following was Derek Damon, getting his 20th of the season to even the score at two. Then the Everblades took the lead for the first time in the game as Brad Herauf fired a blast past Ice Pilots goaltender Cam Ellsworth and after 20 minutes of play, the Everblades had the lead 3-2. Florida continued the pressure in the second as Mike McLean tipped a shot down low and the visitors had a two goal lead. The Pilots would respond with a five on three man advantage, converting on the power play as Adam Hobson netted his second of the night to cut the lead to one. In the third period, the Ice Pilots kept peppering shots at Shantz as McGregor netted his 12th of the season to tie the game at four at 12:12. Neither team was able to score in the overtime and the rest is history as the Pilots won in the shoot out. It was a historical night for the Ice Pilots as Coach Marks now sits atop all of the head coaches in ECHL History.

Saturday vs. Florida (3-2 SO WIN)

Luke Erickson scored twice and Bryan McGregor scored the shoot out winning goal for the second straight night as the Ice Pilots extended their unbeaten streak to six games defeating the Florida Everblades in front of 4,671 at the Pensacola Civic Center. The game started quite different than the night before as both teams were held in check until the final 10 seconds of the first period when Ernie Hartlieb found the back of the net to give the Everblades a 1-0 lead. The goal came with just one second remaining on Florida's second power play. The Everblades increased the lead to two as Kirk MacDonald fired a shot from the left wing side. The Pilots answered just 31 seconds later as Erickson went top shelf of Everblades goaltender Kevin Nastiuk and it was 2-1 visitors after the second period of play. At 8:10 of the third period, Erickson did it again to tie the game at two. Matt Rogers and Adam Hobson assisted on both goals. The game would head to overtime and then a shoot out. Patrick Bordeleau scored in the third round to tie it at one after Mathieu Melanson gave Florida a short lead. McGregor scored last night in the seventh round but tonight the shoot out only needed five rounds and he netted the shoot out winner. Cam Ellsworth was spectacular, making 29 saves to help the Ice Pilots to the victory.

Sunday vs. Florida (3-0 Loss)

Kevin Nastiuk made 25 saves and the Florida Everblades avoided a three game sweep as they shut out the Ice Pilots 3-0 at the Pensacola Civic Center on Sunday. The first period was a very physical one, reminiscent of Friday night's game as there were two fights. The first was between Ice Pilots Captain Dan Sullivan and Brad Herauf of the Everblades and the second saw Patrick Bordeleau take down Ryan Van Buskirk for the second time this series. Neither team was able to score in the first 20 minutes. Florida took the lead at 15:28 of the second period as Preston Callandar fired a shot past Ice Pilots goaltender Cam Ellsworth to make it 1-0 Everblades. The Everblades added to their lead in the third period Ernie Hartlieb scored on the power play and then Brad Zancanaro scored on a breakaway and Florida wrapped things up with a 3-0 victory. Cam Ellsworth made 31 saves in the loss. The Ice Pilots unbeaten streak ends at five games (4-0-1). Pensacola now heads to Texas to face the Wildcatters for three games beginning on Friday.

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.

Tickets for Troops

The Ice Pilots have started a new program this season called Tickets for Troops. It encourages individuals and businesses to purchase special ticket packages to donate to the local military. The package includes 10 tickets for just $80. For more information call 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, March 3 from 6-7:30 p.m. at New York Nick's in Downtown Pensacola. The Coach's Show also airs on Newsradio 1620. You can also listen to all of the home games inside the Hangar on 100.1 FM.

Ticket Information

Don't miss the hard hitting, exciting action, as the Ice Pilots' next home game is Saturday, March 15 at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Charlotte Checkers at the Civic Center. It is Military Night as the Ice Pilots will dress in camouflage jerseys which will be auctioned off. 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.

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