Overtime goal ends Manatees season
April 8, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Miami Manatees News Release
Jacksonville â For the second time in the first round match-up between Jacksonville and Miami, the game had to be decided in the overtime session. But unlike the first game, the ending wasn't as favorable for the Manatees as Mike Wirll was able to score 2:22 into the overtime session to advance the Barracudas to the WHA2 finals and win the game 3-2.
The Manatees jumped out to the lead when Randy Hevey fired the puck down to the Manatees blue-line, which allowed the Cuda's to get a line-change. But Darcy Johnson quickly collected the puck and made the long pass to Tom Perry who skated into the Cuda's zone. Perry's slap-shot from the top of the left circle beat Hevey glove-side to give the Manatees the early lead at 4:16. That goal was Perry's fourth goal in two games.
The Cuda's started to put some pressure on, as a point shot was deflected through the goal crease at 9:45 by Kory Baker, who got called for an elbowing penalty just 14 seconds later. The Manatees were unable to convert on their first power-play opportunity of the night.
Lyle Steenbergen got his first goal of the playoffs when he tied the game up on a strong individual effort at 4:16. Steenbergen was able to get around the Manatees defenseman and come out from behind the net to put the puck past Rooney on the far side.
As the time expired in the first, the Cudas John McCabe had an excellent opportunity to score on a two on one, but his shot went wide to miss the open net. Coming back the other way, the Manatees unleashed a shot on Hevey, who made the initial save but the puck dropped to the ice and just missed being knocked in during a scrum before the teams headed to the dressing room tied up at one.
Jacksonville got into early penalty trouble when Chad Gromek got called for hauling down Kevin Swider in front of the net, but Hevey stood tall in the nets to stave off the three shots the Manatees turned his way. Rooney had to make several key saves at the other end of the ice as the penalty expired and a two on one developed.
The 2nd period continued to be evenly fought and both teams headed to the dressing rooms with the game still tied at one. Miami held the advantage in shots with 24 to Jacksonville's 23.
The stalemate seemed to be broken at 4:48 of the third when Kevin Caudill appeared to put the puck past Hevey. Caudill banked the puck off of Hevey, but Caudill was pushed and fell into Hevey as the puck rolled across the line. Caudill appeared to have a kicking motion, but the puck was already across the line and the goal judge after some delay turned the red light on to signal the goal.
After deliberation from the referee Mike Hughes, the goal was waved off much to the anger of Coach Boyer. Caudill was pushed into the goalie after the puck crossed the line, and he also kicked at it after it crossed the line as well, so the goal being waved off is sure to be a controversial call.
But Manatees defenseman Steve Howard immediately scored at 5:12 when his shot from down low was put top-shelf right under the cross-bar, making the score 2-1. But the lead was short-lived because going back the other way, the Cudas were able to convert on a two-on-one opportunity as Rob Bonneau beat Al Rooney at 5:57 to tie the game up at two apiece.
The Cudas kept the pressure on the Manatees, but Rooney answered right back as several odd-man rushes and strong shots were turned aside. The pressure continued with the clock down to one minute left as the Cudas had several scoring chances, but Miami finally was able to clear the zone to force the game to the overtime session. Shots after regulation time were 41-39, favoring Jacksonville.
But the Miami Manatees run came to end at 2:22 of the Overtime session when the Barracudas were able to capitalize on a misplayed puck by Rooney in front of the net. Justin Hellegards scooped up the puck, went behind the net and fed it across the crease to Mike Wirll who put it into the empty side of the net for the series clinching goal.
SPHL Stories from April 8, 2004
- Overtime goal ends Manatees season - Miami Manatees
- Trax Win League Honors - Macon Trax
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.
