Seals beaten in OT
February 20, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
Orlando â The Orlando Seals fought hard for the equalizer but were unable to come up with the game-winner, as the Chad Peck beat Orlando goaltender Sean Varriale with 35 seconds left in overtime in Alabama's 7-6 victory Thursday night at the TD Waterhouse Centre.
After being down by three goals or more on three separate occasions, the Seals pulled off a miraculous four-goal rally to tie the game 6-6 at the end of regulation. Brad Federenko's second of the game â his 20th of the season â with an empty net in the Seals' zone tied the game to send the Seals to their 11th overtime contest this season.
The Slammers took advantage of the Seals early in the first as Mike Craigen scored on a one-timer on the left wing doorstep for a 1-0 Alabama lead.
Jerry Kresac made it 2-0 on a breakaway less than two minutes later, finding the back of the net through the five-hole of Shad Higginbotham. Chad Peck and Justin Schabes each added power play tallies for Alabama for a comfortable 4-0 lead after one period of play.
Orlando showed some life in the second period, drilling 23 shots on goal in the second period after managing only 7 shots in the first.
Brad Federenko and Doug Lawrence swapped goals in the second for a 5-1 game before Jason Elders netted his first of two on the night to make it 5-2 Alabama.
The Seals rallied in the third period. After Peck's second of the night put Alabama up 6-2, Orlando scored 4 unanswered goals for a one-goal game.
Elders' second goal of the game 5 minutes, 10 seconds into the third made it 6-3. Mike Fournier and Simon Duplessis then notched goals 42 seconds apart to make it a one-goal game at 6-5.
Orlando could not capitalize on several opportunities in overtime, despite several odd man breaks. In the end, it was Peck's third goal of the game â his 12th of the season â that lifted the Slammers to their third victory in as many games with the Seals.
The Seals play in Jacksonville on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. That game will be broadcast on AM 740 The Team. The next home game is Sunday at 4:05 p.m. against the Macon Trax. All Seals games can be heard at www.IRN.FM.
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- Seals beaten in OT - Florida Seals
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