Ice Pilots Win First Game In Biloxi on Opening Weekend

Published on October 20, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


The Pensacola Ice Pilots won their first game of the season on Sunday in overtime 4-3 vs. Mississippi. The Ice Pilots trailed the Sea Wolves 2-0 after the first period and battled back to take a 3-2 lead on goals by Matt Elich, Brad Cruikshank and Greg Chambers. The Sea Wolves tied the game late in the third period on a goal by Jeff Hutchins and the Ice Pilots won in overtime on Chambers second goal of the game. Brian Eklund was the winning goalie stopping 41 out of 44 shots. The Ice Pilots lost their season opener on Saturday night 3-1 to Columbus in front of 5,178 fans. The Ice Pilots peppered 23 shots on goalie Oliver Michaud in the first period only to be scoreless after the first period. Dwayne Hay scored the first goal of the season for the Ice Pilots and Ray DiLauro, Peter Hogan and Chris Legg scored the goals for Columbus. Brain Eklund was the losing goalie for the Ice Pilots.

The Ice Pilots are home this Friday and Saturday night vs. Columbus and Texas at 7:05 p.m.
The Ice Pilots are home this Friday night vs. the Columbus Cottonmouths at 7:05 p.m. The Ice Pilots lost to Columbus 3-1 in the season opener last Saturday night. The Ice Pilots have an all-time record of 4-2-1 vs. Columbus including 2-1-1 at home and 2-1 on the road. The Ice Pilots posted a record of 2-1-1 vs. Columbus last year including a record of 0-0-1 at home and 2-1 on the road. The Ice Pilots will play the Texas Wildcatters at home this Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. It will be the first ever meeting between the Ice Pilots and the new expansion Texas Wildcatters. Robert Dirk is the head coach of Texas. The Wildcatters have a record of 1-2 after the ECHL opening weekend.

Practice Schedule for the week
The Ice Pil! ots will have Monday and Tuesday off with no ice at the Civic Center because of the "Cher" concert. The Ice Pilots will practice Wednesday and Thursday at the Civic Center at 10:00 a.m. The Ice Pilots will have a pre skate at 10:00 a.m. on Friday and play home to Columbus on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. The Ice Pilots will have a pre skate on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and play home to Texas on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.

Nominated Player of the Week
Ice Pilots forward Greg Chambers has been nominated by the Ice Pilots for the ECHL Player of the week. Chambers scored two goals for the Ice Pilots including the game winner on Sunday vs. Mississippi. Brian Eklund has been nominated for Goalie of the Week. Eklund went 1-1 over the weekend with a 2.94 goals against average and .933 save percentage.

Season Ticket Packages are available with year round payments
Full season ticket packages and 16 game packages are available with year round payments. The following is a list of the full season ticket plan with year round payments: $22 sea! ts for floor and glass is $49.99 per month, $15 seats for sides is $35.99 per month, $13 seats for goal and lower upper level is $32.99 per month, $10 seats for upper level is $24.99 per month.

Group Tickets
Group tickets are available at the Ice Pilots office. A group of 15-24 will receive $2 off per ticket and scoreboard recognition. A group of 25-99 will receive $2 off per ticket, scoreboard recognition, the group leader receive two free tickets with a minimum of 25 tickets purchased and group members are eligible to become an MVP. Each group member fills out and MVP card, (Cards are mailed with the group tickets), and drops the card in the MVP box at customer service before the game, and has the opportunity to win a valuable prize! Groups of 100 or more will receive scoreboard recognition, two free tickets, MVP cards plus $3 off per ticket and an opportunity to perform the national anthem or participate in the ceremonial puck drop (Subject to availability and approval).

Birthday Parties
Celebrate your birthday with the Ice Pilots. The Ice Pilots birthday party package includes hot dogs, cokes, cake and 10 $13 lower goal game tickets, a special gift pack for the birthday person delivered by Iceman, a birthday card signed by the Ice Pilots and scoreboard recognition. The package price is $179 for a party of 10. $15 is added for each additional guest. For more information call 432-PUCK.

Assigned Players from Tampa Bay
The Ice Pilots currently have five players on the roster assigned from Tampa Bay. They are goalie Brian Eklund and forward Dwayne Hay. Forward Jean Francois Soucy, forward Ryan Craig and defenseman Jeremy Van Hoof are also assigned from Tampa.

Kerr's Kids
This season the Ice Pilots are introducing "Kerr's Kids." Thanks to Ice Pilots owner Tim Kerr and SMG (Pensacola Civic Center), the Ice Pilots would like to invite six children and their escorts to a game. The Ice Pilots will provide free admission, a goodie bag for each child and SMG will provide a hot dog and soda for each guest. Accessible seating will be arranged for "Kerr's Kids" in section 105. If you are interested in attending one of the Ice Pilots home game through "Kerr's Kids" please contact the Ice Pilots office at 432-7825 and ask for Melinda Palmer or Jeanne Gallagher.

Listen to games on the Ice Pilots Hockey Network
Fans can listen to Ice Pilots games on the Ice Pilots Hockey Network. The network includes flagship station WCOA AM 1370, Mediacom's preview guide channel, Cox Media channel 2 and at icepilots.com sponsored by Sports Avenue. The pre-game show on Friday night vs. Columbus begins at 7:00 p.m. and the pre-game show on Saturday night vs. Texas begins at 6:30 p.m.

Coach's Radio Show has new location this season
The Ice Pilots Coach's Radio show is broadcasted from the Gutter Lounge at Phoenix Crossing inside the new Liberty Lanes this year located at 3200 North Palafox Street. The show is broadcasted on the Ice Pilots hockey netwo! rk from 6 p.m. 7 p.m. Fans can hear the radio show on WCOA AM 1370 and on the internet at www.icepilots.com sponsored by Sports Avenue. Fans can meet the players, head coach Todd Gordon and members of the Ice Pilots office staff all season long. Goalie Brian Eklund and rookie forward Ryan Craig will be the player guests tonight.

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ECHL Stories from October 20, 2003


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