Pee Dee Pride Weekly

March 14, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


LAST WEEK: Pee Dee went 1-3-0 last week with a win over Columbia and losses to Charlotte, Pensacola and Gwinnett. The Pride are 28-29-3 on the season for 59 points, and remain in fifth place in the East Division. Pee Dee trails Greenville and Mississippi by eight points for the final American-Conference playoff spot.

Tuesday, March 8 @ Charlotte Checkers 4 PRIDE 2

The Pride trailed 4-0 entering the third period, and would get on the scoreboard just 1:02 into the period on Gregg Johnson's 16th goal of the season. Pee Dee cut the deficit in half at 7:20 on a Steve Cygan tally. Despite two power-play opportunities in the second half of the period, the Pride could not get any closer.

Thursday, March 10 v. Columbia PRIDE 4 Inferno 2

Home-ice dominance in the season series between the Pride and Inferno continued, as Pee Dee doubled up Columbia. The home team has now won each of the first eight meetings between the teams this season. Gregg Johnson notched two goals and an assist in the win, while Steve Hildenbrand added a goal and an assist. Sebastien Laplante made 25 saves to record the win.

Friday, March 11 v. Pensacola Ice Pilots 4 PRIDE 2

With the game tied at one after the first period, the Pride would go on top 13:23 into the second period on Brett Roat's second goal of the season. Pensacola came back to tie the game a little over four minutes later. Jordan Krestanovich tallied the game-winner on a power play at 2:57 of the third, and Alex Materukhin added insurance with a shorthanded tally at 9:06.

Saturday, March 12 v. Gwinnett Gladiators 4 PRIDE 1

Randy Dagenais gave Gwinnett the early lead, tallying a shorthanded goal 2:29 into the contest. Pee Dee tied the game on a Steve Hildenbrand power-play tally at 14:35. The Gladiators went ahead for good, scoring a pair of goals just 43 seconds apart late in the second period, and then adding an insurance tally just 19 seconds into the final period.

THIS WEEKS' GAMES

Thursday, March 17 v. Greenville 7:00 p.m. at the Lion's Den

The Pride and Grrrowl meet for the ninth of 10 times this season, and for the final time in Florence. Pee Dee is 3-3-2 against Greenville this season, and is 0-2-2 at home against the Grrrowl. Greenville enters the week on a three-game losing streak and is 31-23-5 for 67 points.

PROMOTIONS: It's another Thirsty Thursday, with all draft beer just $2. The Pride will wear special St. Patrick's Day jerseys, sponsored by Colortyme Rent-to-Own.

Friday, March 18 v. Charlotte 7:30 p.m. at the Lion's Den

The Pride and Checkers meet for the eighth and final time this season. Pee Dee is 3-4-0 against Charlotte this season, and is 3-1-0 at home against the Checkers. Charlotte is in first place in the East Division with an overall record of 36-20-5 for 77 points.

PROMOTIONS: The Pride will once again wear their special St. Patrick's Day jerseys, sponsored by Colortyme Rent-to-Own. Following the game, fans will have the opportunity to bid on these jerseys in a live auction. During the game, the ECHL's championship trophy, the Kelly Cup, will be displayed on the concourse. Fans will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with the Kelly Cup, as well as meet the Cup's namesake, Pat Kelly.

Saturday, March 19 @ South Carolina 7:00 p.m. Coverage on WDAR Sunny 105.5 at 6:40

The Pride and Stingrays get together for the 10th of 11 times this season. Pee Dee is 3-6-0 against South Carolina this season, and is 0-5-0 at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Stingrays enter the week with a record of 32-20-8 for 72 points, and are tied with Columbia for second place in the East Division.

PRIDE IN THE COMMUNITY

Monday, March 14

The Pride and Colortyme Rent-to-Own present the second annual golf tournament to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Reserve your foursome today by calling Bob Kogler at (843) 250-1316.

Sunday, March 20

Several players will be appearing at the Florence County Library as part of the Friends of the Library annual book sale.

PRIDE NOTES

- Pee Dee has lost 11 consecutive road games, dating back to a 6-2 win at Augusta on January 11.

- Veteran forward Allan Sirois played in his 600th career ECHL game on Saturday against Gwinnett. Sirois now stands alone in fourth place in league history for games played.

- Gregg Johnson enters the week on an eight-game point streak (6g, 7a). Johnson is fifth among ECHL rookies this season with 50 points.

- Steve Hildenbrand has at least point in each of his last six games (3g, 7a).

- Steve Cygan has 12 points in 14 games with the Pride since being acquired from Trenton on February 10. That matches his point total in 39 games with Trenton.

PRIDE LEADERS

Goals G. Johnson 18

Assists G. Johnson 32

Points G. Johnson 50

+/- Kindle +9

Penalty Minutes Douville 259

Shots G. Johnson 192

Power-Play Goals Sirois 6

Shorthanded Goals Mullen/G. Johnson 2

Game-Winning Goals Kidney 4

HOCKEY TONIGHT SIGNS

The Pride's "Hockey Tonight" yard signs are back! If you need a new yard sign, you can pick one up at the Pride office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or at the Customer Service Tables during home games. Remember to place your yard signs on game days. The Pride have two home games this week: Thursday against the Greenville Grrrowl and Friday against the Charlotte Checkers.

PRIDE ON THE AIR

All Pride away games can be heard on WDAR Sunny 105.5 FM and on-line at www.peedeepride.com with the Voice of the Pride, Joe Babik. Each broadcast begins 20 minutes prior to faceoff with the Palmetto Chiropractic Pre-Game Show.

PRIDE TICKETS

Tickets for all Pride home games can be purchased at the Florence Civic Center Box Office (10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday; through the second period on game nights), all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at (843) 679-9333 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. In addition, group tickets are now available for all Pride home games. Groups of 15 or more receive $3 off either 200 or 400 level tickets, have their name announced over the PA system and printed in the game-day program, and are eligible to win prizes in a group-exclusive raffle. For more information, or to purchase your tickets, call the Pride at (843) 669-7825.



ECHL Stories from March 14, 2005


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