Inferno come back to beat Pride in shootout

Published on January 24, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


COLUMBIA, SC - A controversial third period goal by the Columbia Inferno sent the game to overtime, which the Inferno won 5-4 in a shootout, extending the Pride's winless streak to four games.

The teams combined for a wild start as they scored seven goals in the opening period.

Florence scored the first goal of the afternoon, tallying just 1:38 into the game. Josh Blackburn made the initial save, but the rebound sat on the doorstep, and Craig Brunel was there to put the puck in the net for his second goal of the season.

The Pride doubled the lead at the 2:56 mark while on a power play. Eric Naud fed Mark McRae in the high slot. His shot was stopped by Blackburn, but Bobby Russell was on the near post to put the rebound home.

Columbia pulled within one at the 3:41 mark. Paul Cabana was left alone in the high slot and he ripped a shot past Matt Underhill for his 19th of the season making it 2-1.

Just 22 seconds later, the Pride got the goal right back as Brian Reaney notched an unassisted tally for his first professional goal. After that goal, Blackburn was pulled in favor of Rob McVicar.

Columbia tied the game, scoring a pair of goals less than three minutes apart. At the 8:36 mark, Dennis Vial took a pass in the right wing circle, and flipped a wrister past Underhill for his third of the season.

At 11:25, Robin Carruthers gathered in an errant clearing attempt in the left wing circle, and ripped a slapper past Underhill for his 22nd of the campaign.

But, the Pride tied it before the period ended, once again on a power play. McRae's blast from the slot was stopped by McVicar, but Jeff Szwez gathered in the rebound and roofed it for his 14th goal of the year.

After a scoreless second period, Columbia tied the game at four at the 3:59 mark of the third on a controversial tally. Brunel gave up possession of the puck to Cabana at the Pride blue line. Cabana and Ryan Petz came in on a 2-on-1 rush. Underhill stopped Cabana's shot, and Petz gloved the rebound out of midair. Petz dropped the puck on the ice, and it rolled into the net without it touching a stick. Referee Jim Combs waved off the goal, but after conferring with his linesmen, it was rolled a goal.

In the shootout, Columbia scored on 2 of 5 attempts, while Florence was 1-for-5.

The Pride are back in action on Friday, traveling to Charlotte for a 7:30 match up with the Checkers. You can catch all of the action on WDAR Sunny 105.5 and on www.florencepride.com starting with the Palmetto Chiropractic Pre-Game Show at 7:10.

Florence returns home next Saturday, January 31, hosting the Greenville Grrrowl at 7:30 on Church Night. Following the game, local recording artists N'Accord will perform a post-game concert. Group rate tickets are available for the game, starting at the low price of just $7 each. For more information, or to place your order, call the Pride office at (843) 669-7825.

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ECHL Stories from January 24, 2004


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