Jacksonville fights back for 5-4 win over Manatees
January 31, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Miami Manatees News Release
Jacksonville â Despite being down two goals in the game twice, the Barracudas (21-9-1) fought back each time and scored the last three goals of the game to knock off the Manatees 5-4 in front of a jubilant 5012 fans at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
Miami (18-11-3) came out storming at the start of the game and got goals by Darcy Johnson and Josh Liebenow just eight seconds apart to put the Manatees up 2-0 with only 32 seconds expired on the clock. Johnson's and Liebenow's goals were scored as the result of driving hard to the net.
But penalties ended up killing the Manatees as Klage Kaebel and Mark Phenow scored on consecutive power-plays to tie the game up at 7:34 of the first period. As the first period winded down, Trevor Socholotuk put the Manatees back on the board when he beat Randy Hevey from the low-slot at the 14:44 point.
The teams exchanged goals in the second period, with Darcy Johnson getting his second goal of the game just 1:07 into the period. Chad Gromek pulled the Barracudas back into the game with his power-play goal at 17:23.
The third period belonged to the Barracudas as they scored the final two goals, getting the game-winner from Derek Toninato just 2:55 seconds into the period. Randy Hevey made 38 saves on 42 shots in the win, and Mark Gowan turned aside 35 of 40 shots in the loss.
The Manatees return home for 6 days off and will face off against the Orlando Seals at the Miami Arena next Friday night at 7:05.
The Miami Manatees face off against the Alabama Slammers, Jacksonville Barracudas, Lakeland Loggerheads, Macon Trax, and Orlando Seals in the WHA2's inaugural season. All games are broadcast on www.irn.fm.
Individual and Group Tickets for the Miami Manatees are now on sale. For further information, please contact the Manatees at (305) 536-PUCK (7825) or visit www.miamimanatees.com.
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SPHL Stories from January 31, 2004
- Seals get by Loggerheads in a shootout - Florida Seals
- Jacksonville fights back for 5-4 win over Manatees - Miami Manatees
- Slammers Down Trax 2-1 - Alabama Slammers
- Trax Fall On Win Night - Macon Trax
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