Kidney scores two goals in Pride win

Published on January 30, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - Kyle Kidney scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to give the Florence Pride a 5-4 win in overtime in front of 3,962 fans at Cricket Arena Friday night.

Charlotte drew first blood at the 6:14 mark of the first period. Mike Wirll gathered in a loose puck behind the Pride net, skated out in front, and beat Matt Underhill with a quick shot low to the ice for his fourth goal of the season.

Florence fought back and tied the game at the 13:00 mark. Kidney gathered in a pass from Craig Brunel, and came in on a 2-on-1 rush with Allan Sirois. Kidney used Sirois as a decoy, and blasted a wrister past Scott Meyer for his seventh marker of the season.

Just 2:40 after Kidney's goal, the Checkers went back on top. Once again it was Wirll, as he slipped a puck into an open net on the near post, as Underhill was caught on the far side of the net.

In the second period, Adam Elzinga's first professional goal tied the game for Florence at the 6:24 mark. Luke Earl won a face off back to Elzinga, whose shot from the blue line beat Meyer through a great screen in front of the net.

A bad bounce for the Pride gave the Checkers the lead back. With Brian Reaney in the penalty box for holding the stick, Charlotte defenseman Nick Bilotto took a quick shot from the left point. The puck hit off of the skate of Pride defenseman Tim Donnelly and deflected past Underhill, giving the Checkers a 3-2 lead through 40 minutes of play.

Florence knotted the game at three at the 11:53 mark of the third period. Eric Naud gathered in a pass in the left wing circle of the Charlotte zone and one timed a shot past Meyer for his second goal of the season.

The Pride then went on a power play, and would take their first lead of the night. It was a great shift, as the Pride kept the puck in deep several times. Finally, the Pride got a good scoring opportunity as the puck rolled to Matt Reid at the center point, and he blasted a shot past Meyer for his first of the season at the 14:10 mark.

With just 54 seconds left in regulation, Allan Sirois was sent to the box for hooking. Charlotte pulled Meyer making it a two-man advantage. With 11 seconds left, Rory Rawlyk's shot from the point was stopped by Underhill, but the rebound sat free long enough for Allan Egeland to tip it home and send the game to overtime.

Florence picked up the game winner at the 4:33 mark of the extra session. Wes Goldie's shot hit off the post, but the rebound came to Kidney, who put it past Meyer for his second of the night.

The Pride return home Saturday night 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 30, 2004


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