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RiverBlades Come Up Short Again

February 14, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Arkansas RiverBlades News Release


Trailing by three goals for most of the game, the Arkansas RiverBlades battled back, scoring 3 goals in the third period, but in the end, fell just short, losing to Pensacola 5-4 Friday night at The Hangar.

Greg Pankewicz scored a goal and two assists, and Kerry Ellis-Toddington added a goal and an assist for Pensacola.

Jason Bermingham scored two third-period goals for Arkansas, who got two assists each from Buddy Smith, Matt Pagnutti, and Dean Stork.

Chris Minard opened the scoring at 3:15 of the first for Pensacola, getting his 11th of the year from Kevin Cloutier.

Then, at 14:13, Louis Dumont struck, netting his 17th of the year on the power-play. Assists went to Mike Jones and Greg Pankewicz.

Kerry Ellis-Toddington continued the onslaught at 17:53, scoring his 5th of the year from Greg Pankewicz and Gregor Baumgartner.

However, with just 17 seconds remaining in the period, Aaron Davis lit the lamp with his first goal as a RiverBlade, notching a power-play tally from Terry Marchant and Dean Stork to get Arkansas on the board before intermission.

Brad Dexter scored the only goal of the second period, getting his 4th of the season from Kerry Ellis-Toddington to extend Pensacola's lead to 4-1 after 40 minutes.

Arkansas mounted a comeback in the third, beginning with Jason Bermingham's 28th goal of the year at 5:34. The power-play goal was assisted by Buddy Smith and Matt Pagnutti.

The Ice Pilots came right back, however, as Greg Pankewicz scored what turned out to be the game-winner at 8:58, set up by Brad Dexter and Mike Jones.

Then, a minute and a half later, Mike Sandbeck got his 10th of the year to get Arkansas back into the game. Mark Scott and Dean Stork assisted on the play.

Jason Bermingham then pulled Arkansas within one at 17:39, with helpers going to Buddy Smith and Matt Pagnutti, but the RiverBlades would get no closer, and Pensacola escaped with the victory. For the game, Arkansas outshot Pensacola 46-35, and was 2-for-7 on the power-play. The Ice Pilots were 3-for-6.

The RiverBlades return to action tomorrow night on "Faith and Family Night" at the Alltel Arena, hosting the Mississippi Sea Wolves. Faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m.

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