LeColst hat trick hooks Barracudas
February 8, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Miami Manatees News Release
Miami â Greg LeColst scored his third hat-trick as a Manatee Sunday night as the Manatees (20-12-3) defeated the first place Jacksonville Barracudas (24-11-1) 6-2 in front of an appreciative 791 fans at the Miami Arena.
The Manatees found themselves short-handed early on a Liam McCarthy tripping penalty, but Darcy Johnson blocked a shot from the point and the puck came out to neutral ice. Johnson and Tom Kotsopoulos had a two man breakaway, and Kotsopoulos deked out Randy Hevey for the goal at 5:33. The goal was his third goal in two games.
The Manatees went to work on their first power-play of the night, courtesy of a Banks hooking penalty. Steve Howard unleashed a wrist-shot from the point, and LeColst deflected it past Hevey at 10:28.
Jacksonville got a goal from Lyle Steenbergen to pull within one at 13:03, but LeColst scored his second of the night 46 seconds later. With the momentum clearly going the Manatees way, Zdnek Vanc quickly scored his seventh goal of the season just 30 seconds later to pull the Manatees up 4-1.
At 4:57 into the third period, Jacksonville's Brett Strot blasted a puck past Sean Weaver that just trickled into the net to give the Barracudas some life.
But Oak Hewer got his 25th goal of the year on an amazing individual effort at 12:13. Losing his glove as he crossed into the offensive zone, Hewer held off a defenseman, emerged from the far corner to go to the front of the net. Holding off Andrew Oke with one hand, Hewer crossed in front of the crease and was able to slip the puck past Hevey on the far post for the goal.
LeColst finished the scoring for the Manatees when he scored his third goal of the night diving for a loose puck in front of the net. Sean Weaver made 26 saves for his 10th win of the season, and Hevey made 31 saves in the losing effort.
With the win, the Manatees pull into a tie for second place with the Orlando Seals. The Manatees can take sole possession of second place with a win on the road against Orlando Tuesday night.
• Discuss this story on the SPHL message board...
SPHL Stories from February 8, 2004
- LeColst hat trick hooks Barracudas - Miami Manatees
- Slammers Hold On For 3-2 Win Over Trax - Alabama Slammers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
