Kotsopoulos OT goal propels Manatees to win
February 10, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Miami Manatees News Release
Orlando â If Tom Kotsopoulos had his choice, he would want to play the Orlando Seals every game. Kotsopoulos emerged the hero of the game when he scored the deciding goal at 1:14 in a 4-3 overtime win in front of 6268 fans at the TD Waterhouse Centre.
Getting a long pass from goaltender Sean Weaver, Kotsopoulos went in on goaltender David Goverde on a partial breakaway and blasted a slap-shot from the right circle through Goverde's five-hole.
Kotsopoulos played several roles in the game, playing the agitator role on several shifts, inciting the Orlando team and crowd with his physical play, and at one point getting a 10-minute misconduct for arguing over a call.
Kotsopoulos also scored the deciding goal in the shoot-out last Friday to give the Manatees a 4-3 win over the Orlando Seals in Miami.
The Seals jumped out to a two-goal lead to end the first period. Jamie Muswagon and B.J. Stephens scored for the Seals.
But the Manatees came back in the second period on two defensive miscues by the Seals. Swider scored on a two-on-one at 11:00 when Hewer slid the puck across the crease to Swider. Goverde made the initial save, but the puck fell in the crease. Swider came from behind the net, reached out and backhanded the puck in for the goal.
The Manatees would score again 2:15 later on another two-on-one play. This time Hewer and LeColst came in, and Hewer tried to feed LeColst across the slot. The pass though went off a sprawling Goverde into the back of the net.
Orlando took the lead in the third on a Mike Sanderson goal at 6:38, but the Manatees kept in the game looking for their first win in Orlando. On a power-play face-off outside the Seals zone, Hewer played it into the zone to Swider. LeColst went hard to the net where Swider found him, and LeColst back-handed it for the game-tying goal.
With the win, the Manatees take sole possession of second place in the WHA2 with 45 points. First place Jacksonville Barracudas have 49 points. Sean Weaver 30 saves in the win.
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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