Manatees on the Road to Face Champion Orlando Seals
November 22, 2003 - World Hockey Association-2 (WHA2)
Miami Manatees News Release
Next Game: The Manatees next game is on the road against the reigning champion Orlando Seals. The Seals have one win and one loss on the season, and are ranked fourth in the WHA2. Face-off time for the Nov 23rd game is 6:05.
Nationally Ranked: The Manatees make their debut on the ITC/Just Hockey "AA" Top 20 Hockey Poll, coming in at #8 among 70 eligible nationwide teams from various leagues. WHA2 teams also getting recognition on the Top 20 poll are Jacksonville at #13 and Macon at #18. The Manatees have defeated both of those teams this season.
Manatee Notes: The Manatees have the top ranked power-play and penalty-kill in the WHA2. The Manatees power-play is operating at a 35% efficiency rate, while the
penalty kill has killed off 95% (19-20) opponent's opportunities.
Through 3 games, the Manatees have five of the top ten scorers in the WHA2. Leading the way with ten points, and with a three point lead over his teammate, is left wing Eric Perricone. Ryan Kiley is tied with teammate Oak Hewer with seven points for second overall in league scoring. Tied for third in scoring is Tom Perry and Kevin Swider with six points.
Ryan Kiley and Eric Perricone also are tied for first in WHA2 goal scoring with five goals each.
For the second week in a row, a Manatee player has been named the WHA2 player of the week. Oak Hewer took home the award this week by scoring two goals and one assist in victories over Lakeland and Jacksonville.
The Opponent: Orlando defeated the Alabama Slammers in Alabama on Friday night by a score of 5-3. Goaltender David Goverde made 27 saves to earn his second win of the season, while Mike Sanderson had two goals and two assists to lead the Seals to victory. B.J. Stephens also had two goals in the Seals first road game of the season, and Ryan Anderson added the remaining Orlando goal.
Orlando's power-play went 2 for 8 on the power-play, while their penalty kill unit killed off 4 of 7 Slammer's chances. With the win, Orlando's power-play improves to second place in the WHA2 with a 28.6 success rate. Orlando's penalty-kill has killed off 77% of their opponents power-plays.
Manatee Zone: Tune in every Thursday morning to listen to "The Morning Bullpen on 940 Fox Sports" at 8:30am on 940 Fox Sports Radio for the "Miami Manatee Zone."
Got Internet?: Catch all of the Manatees action on www.irn.fm as Manatees broadcaster Mark Fischel calls the game from the TD Waterhouse Center.
World Hockey Association-2 Stories from November 22, 2003
- Manatees on the Road to Face Champion Orlando Seals - Miami Manatees
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