Manatees lose first game on four-game road trip
April 1, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Miami Manatees News Release
Orlando â Dan Donnette scored two goals in an attempt to rally the Manatees, but a five goal second period by the Seals helped down the Manatees 8-4 as the Manatees embarked on their final road-trip of the season.
The Manatees went down 1-0 in the first period when Heath Gordon scored on Al Rooney with a slapshot from the right circle at 17:20. The Manatees had a chance immediately after when they were awarded a power-play when B.J. Stephens took a tripping penalty, but the Manatees failed to convert on the opportunity.
Orlando scored to start off the second period, but the Manatees answered right back when Tom Perry, returning from a stay on the injured reserve list intercepted a clearing pass at the top of the zone, skated in deep and threaded a pass across to Darren Cain, who wrested a shot past David Goverde to pull the Manatees within one.
After Orlando scored again, the Manatees answered right back on a superb individual effort by Garrett Dionne. Dionne grabbed the puck deep in the left corner and wheeled out to the front of the net where he beat David Goverde with a low shot on the ice.
Dan Donnette scored the Manatees third goal in the second period, but the Seals ended the period with a 6-3 lead going into the intermission.
Donnette scored his second goal of the game to start the third period, but the Seals two goals in the third prevented the Manatees from rallying from behind. Al Rooney made 36 saves on 44 shots, while David Goverde stopped 34 of 38 Manatee shots for the win.
The Manatees head to Alabama Friday and Saturday to take on the Slammers before playing in the final game of the season against Lakeland on Sunday.
News and Notes: Defenseman Trevor Socholotuk returned to the Manatees after a stint in the SEHL and Captain Tom Perry returned from the I.R. after missing several games with an injury.
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.
SPHL Stories from April 1, 2004
- Seals whip Manatees to stay alive in playoff race - Florida Seals
- Manatees lose first game on four-game road trip - Miami Manatees
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