Ice Pilots Weekly

March 11, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


PENSACOLA, FL - The Ice Pilots return home as they continue their late season push for the playoffs this weekend against the Charlotte Checkers. Pensacola sits 12 points behind Mississippi for the eighth and final playoff spot in the South Division with two games in hand and three head to head meetings. Bryan Esner leads the Ice Pilots with 45 points (22g-23a) while Cam Ellsworth has backstopped the Ice Pilots in seven consecutive games.

This week's Games

Saturday, Mar. 15 at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday, Mar. 16 at 5:05 p.m. vs. Charlotte (Pensacola Civic Center)

The Ice Pilots battle the Charlotte Checkers for the first time at home this season on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The Ice Pilots are 1-3-0 against Charlotte this season. The last meeting saw the Pilots come out victorious on the road by a score of 2-1 on February 10. The Checkers are led by Jeff Kyrzakos who has 46 points (19g-27a).

Saturday is Military Night as the Ice Pilots will be wearing special Desert Storm Camo Jerseys which will be auctioned off after the game

Sunday is Saturn Sunday and Recycle Sunday

Upcoming Home Games

Monday, March 17 vs. Charlotte at 7:05 p.m. (Team Photo Night by WalMart and St. Patrick's Day)

Monday, March 24 vs. Augusta at 7:05 p.m.

Tuesday, March 25 vs. Augusta at 7:05 p.m.

Ice Pilots Itinerary

Monday - Day Off

Tuesday - Practice, TBD

Wednesday - Practice, TBD

Thursday - Practice, TBD

Friday - Practice, TBD

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

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

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

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

Good Numbers

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

Jason Bloomingburg has scored in back-to-back games.

The Ice Pilots are 10-6-5 when scoring first.

Bryan McGregor has nine points (3g-6a) in the last nine games plus two shoot out winning goals.

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 at Texas (7-4 Loss)

Trailing after the first period 4-0, the Ice Pilots fought all the way back to tie the game in the third period, but three unanswered goals in return from Texas with two coming on the power play, helped defeat Pensacola 7-4 at Ford Arena on Friday night. The Ice Pilots pressed in the Texas zone in the first couple of minutes but The Wildcatters held tight and opened up the game early. Kevin Baker scored his 21st of the season to give Texas a 1-0 lead as he had a short breakaway on Cam Ellsworth. Dan Welch followed up as he roofed one to make it 2-0. Colin Nicholson and John Adams scored 56 seconds apart and Texas led 4-0 after one period. In the second period, the Ice Pilots power play went to work as Pensacola converted on two opportunities. Adam Hobson and Bryan McGregor lit the lamp on the man advantage just 31 seconds apart to cut the lead to two goals after two periods of play. Bryan Esner added two assists while Roy and Hobson chipped in on the first and second goals respectively. The Pilots continued to press in the third, at 5:44, Mathieu Roy made it a one goal separation with his 15th goal of the season. Bryan Esner brought the Ice Pilots all the way back as he netted a shorthanded goal past Wildcatters goalie Kris Tebbs to tie the game at four. However, Texas had 10 ten power play chances in all in the game and finally converted on their eighth attempt as Troy Riddle scored three consecutive goals with two coming on the power play for a hat trick and Texas won 7-4. The Pilots finished the game 2 for 6 on the power play while Texas went 2 for 10. Cam Ellsworth made 37 saves in the game.

Saturday at Texas (4-3 Loss)

Colin Nicholson scored the go-ahead goal with 1:51 remaining in the game as the Texas Wildcatters held off the Ice Pilots 4-3 at Ford Arena on Saturday night. The Ice Pilots again rallied twice in the game before falling in the final two minutes. Each team enjoyed a first period power play goal as Kevin Baker lit the lamp for his 21st of the season to put Texas up 1-0. Defenseman A.J. Thelen fired a shot from the point 59 seconds after Baker's goal to put Texas ahead 2-0. Despite being out shot 14-2 in the opening frame, the Ice Pilots converted on their first power play as Bryan McGregor fired a shot from the left wing side past Texas goaltender Jeff Pietrasiak to cut the lead to 2-1. The Pilots again rallied, this time though it was earlier than last night, as Jason Bloomingburg beat Pietrasiak on a 2 on 1 to tie the game at two. However, Texas regained the lead as Kassian beat Cam Ellsworth for his second goal of the night and after two periods, Texas led 3-2. JC Sawyer hammered in a rebound with 2:37 remaining in regulation to tie the game at three but Texas regained the lead for good and went on for the 4-3 victory. Cam Ellsworth had another solid night in net stopping 36 of 40 Texas shots.

Sunday at Texas (3-1 Loss)

The Ice Pilots finished off the season series with the Texas Wildcatters falling 3-1 at Ford Arena on Sunday. Plenty of power plays in the first period didn't result in any scoring as the Ice Pilots went 0 for 4 and Texas was unable to get anything going as well and it was scoreless after 20 minutes of play. Special Teams continued in the second period. Texas scored the game's first goal for the third straight game in the series as Ross Carlson found the back of the net on the power play for his 18th goal of the season. The Pilots responded as Jason Bloomingburg scored his second goal in as many nights to tie the game at one. It came on the power play from Mathieu Roy and Bryan McGregor. Texas went back ahead as Jordie Preston lifted a backhanded shot past goaltender Cam Ellsworth to make it 2-1 and then Mark Fulton added some insurance to give the Wildcatters a 3-1 victory.

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. 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 .



ECHL Stories from March 11, 2008


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