Manatees News and Notes for Three-Game Weekend
January 22, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Miami Manatees News Release
Miami â The Miami Manatees (14-10-3) look to extend their WHA2 best home-record of 11-1-1as they take on Alabama, Orlando, and Macon in their second consecutive weekend home-stand.
The Manatees are looking at climbing their way back up the standings by knocking off the Alabama Slammers (16-10-3) Friday night. The Slammers have a 4 point lead over the Manatees for third place in the WHA2 standings. The Manatees defeated the Slammers last weekend by a score of 3-1, getting goals from Tom Kotsopoulos, Kevin Swider, and Greg LeColst.
The reigning champion Orlando Seals (17-7-2) come to town Saturday night for only the fourth meeting between the two teams. It has been quite some time since these two teams have played each other, last meeting on December 7th when the Seals defeated the Manatees 6-3. The Seals hold the advantage in the series, going 2-1-1 against the Manatees.
The Manatees end their home-stand on Sunday by finishing up against the Macon Trax
(13-11-2). If the Seals are strangers to the Manatees then the Trax are virtual unknowns. The teams have met only twice this season, each winning their home game. The Trax are only three points behind the fourth place Manatees in the standings.
"This weekend will be a huge challenge for us, and every game until the end of the season are playoff points for us. We know we have a huge ladder to climb and where we will need to be at the end of the year. Hopefully with some of the additions we added to the team and our home record will serve us well this weekend." Boyer said.
Friday and Saturday's face-off time is 7:05pm, and Sunday's face-off time is 5:00pm. All games are at the Miami Arena.
SKATE WITH THE TEAM THIS SUNDAY
Make sure to bring your skates to the Manatees game this Sunday at 5:00. After the game, for approximately a half an hour, everyone will be invited to skate on the Miami Arena ice with the players.
ATTEND THE SCREENING OF "MIRACLE" WITH THE MANATEES
Several lucky fans attending games this weekend, including all of those who participate in the intermission activities, will win free tickets to the screening of the new Walt Disney Pictures movie "Miracle", which chronicles the story about the improbable gold-medal winning men's ice-hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
The Miami Manatee players will be attending the screening at 7:30 on Tuesday, January 27th at the Crown Theatres on 17350 NW 57th Place in Miami. All those in attendance will get free vouchers to upcoming Manatees games, as well as a chance to meet the Miami Manatees.
ALL-STAR GAME JANUARY 27TH
Five Manatees head to Jacksonville for the first annual WHA2 All-Star Game on January 27th at the Jacksonville Veterans Arena. Right wing Oak Hewer, center Kevin Swider, and defensemen Tom Perry were named to the All-Star team. Hewer has been named a starter on the right wing for the game.
Coach Boyer will man the bench as Asst. Coach alongside Orlando coach Jim Paek, and Danielle Henry will be the Athletic Trainer for the WHA2 All-Stars bench.
PLAYER MOVEMENT
Head Coach Zac Boyer today announced the signing of defenseman Mark Cole.
Cole, 23, comes to the Manatees after playing with the Fort Wayne Komets of the UHL. In 35 games this year, Cole scored one goal and three assists with 40 penalty minutes.
Cole attended SUNY-Plattsburgh for two seasons. In 33 games, Cole scored one goal and six assists and amassed 57 penalty minutes.
"Cole is a very solid defenseman with great skating skills who plays a tough, mean game. I am fortunate to find a player like him at this time of the year." Boyer said.
Boyer also announced that defensemen Bob Clouston has been placed on waivers.
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 22, 2004
- Barracudas Ready Themselves for the Second Half - Jacksonville Barracudas
- Miami and Macon to be Next Dual Broadcast - SPHL
- Manatees News and Notes for Three-Game Weekend - Miami Manatees
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