Manatees start road trip with 4-1 win
January 29, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Miami Manatees News Release
Macon â The hottest team in the WHA2, the Miami Manatees, extended their winning streak to seven games as they defeated the Macon Trax on the road 4-1.
Macon's David Deeves got the Trax on the board at 12:04 in the first period, grabbing the rebound off of Edan Welch's shot from the low slot. With Weaver down after making the first save, Deeves deposited the puck into the open net.
But the Manatees came right back at 15:01 when Zdnek Vanc picked up the puck at the right circle in the Trax zone. With a defensemen draped all over him, Vanc centered it through the crease where Tom Perry was able to knock it past goaltender Geoff Faulkner. Kevin Swider scored at 19:18 to put the Manatees up 2-1 at the end of the first period.
The teams went scoreless in the second period, which was highlighted by several spectacular saves from both goaltenders. The Manatees pelted Faulkner with 20 shots in the period, but he kept the Trax in the game until the third period.
2:27 into the third period, Dan Donnette held off his defensemen as he headed behind the Trax net. He centered the puck through the crease to Josh Liebenow. Liebenow was able to keep his stick on the ice, and despite an intense defensive coverage, was able to get the point-blank shot past Faulkner for the 3-1 lead.
The Manatees wrapped up the scoring when Tom Kotsopoulos found Vanc all alone in front of the net. Faulkner never had a chance to stop Vanc's one-timer that went through the five-hole to end the scoring for both teams.
Weaver made 19 saves on 20 shots in the win, and Faulkner made 31 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.
With the win, the Manatees record against the Trax improves to 4-1. The two teams meet again Friday night. With a Slammers loss to the Lakeland Loggerheads on Thursday, the Manatees now own sole possession of second place in the WHA2 and are only two points behind first place Jacksonville Barracudas. The Barracudas and Manatees play in Jacksonville Saturday night.
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 29, 2004
- Trax Drop Sixth Straight - Macon Trax
- Manatees start road trip with 4-1 win - Miami Manatees
- WHA2 announces ESPN Club âSportsTalk Live!â schedule - SPHL
- Faith and football weekend - Florida Seals
- Barracudas 11-game home winning streak on the line this weekend - Jacksonville Barracudas
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