Seals climb to second place
December 27, 2005 - SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
THIS WEEK:
FRI Dec. 30 Huntsville @ SEALS 7:35 p.m. Silver Spurs Arena
The Havoc will make their first trip to Central Florida. In fact, this will be the first time ever that a Huntsville hockey team will visit Central Florida. The teams have met twice this year in Huntsville with the teams splitting the contests. Fans will not have to wait long to see the Havoc return to the Silver Spurs Arena January 11.
Season Series: Series tied 1-1-0 (Last Game: 3-1 loss @ HUN 12/15/05)
All Time Series: Series tied 1-1-0
SAT Dec. 31 Columbus @ SEALS 7:35 p.m. Silver Spurs Arena
**NEW YEAR'S EVE JERSEY BASH**
The Seals will end 2005 with a visit from the defending champions. The Cottonmouths make a return visit to the "Seals Den" to start a three game set. The teams will be back in Kissimmee on Tuesday, January 3 before heading to Georgia for a Thursday, January 5 affair. Columbus will not return to the Silver Spurs until early March.
Season Series: Seals lead 2-1-0 (Last Game: 5-0 WIN @ FLA 12/9/05)
All Time Series: Seals lead 2-1-0
LAST WEEK:
TUE Dec. 20 SEALS @ Jacksonville (4-3 WIN) 7:05 p.m. Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
The Florida Seals stopped their two game losing streak with a 4-3 victory in Jacksonville. Florida built a three-goal lead after forty minutes and found a way to hang on in the final frame.
John Gurskis led the way for the Seals with two special teams goals in the first period. Gurskis scored his first goal of the game on a shorthanded breakaway, the Seals seventh shorthanded goal of the year, and his second goal on the power play. The third period mirrored the final frame from Saturday night at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, except the Seals hung on to the victory this time. Martin Viazanica and Eric Lajoie each put the puck in the net to excite the hometown crowd and pump life back in the home team, but Jacksonville would not light the lamp again.
The second half of the final frame was owned by Seals goalie Terry Denike. Denike was forced to make tough saves keeping the puck from the back of his net. The Burlington, Ont. native made 18 of his 44 saves in the final 20-minutes.
THU Dec. 22 Fayetteville @ SEALS (5-3 WIN) 7:35 p.m. Silver Spurs Arena
Fans that came out to the Silver Spurs Arena got an early holiday present. The Florida Seals came from two goals down to beat first place Fayetteville 5-3. It was the biggest come from behind victory of the year for Florida.
Craig Miller was the hero as he scored the game winner with less than three minutes to go in the third period. It was Miller's second goal of the night; both goals gave his team the lead at the time. The New Brunswick native carried the puck into the zone and slowed to a near halt in the circle. As he slowed down, he took a slap shot and beat goalie Glenn Ridler up high.
Things looked bleak early as Fayetteville's George Nistas and Mark Phenow each scored a power play goal before the first period was half over. The two power play goals must have woke up the Seals who turned up the shots and lit the lamp in bunches.
The Seals cut the lead in half at the 15:57 mark of the opening frame when Steve Zoryk scored for the 17th time this season, tied for the league lead. Florida would take the momentum and carry it throughout much of the second period.
FRI Dec. 23 SEALS @ Fayetteville (4-2 loss) 7:30 p.m. Crown Center
The Seals saw their first trip back to North Carolina since 2003 end with a 4-2 loss. Both teams showed effects from a long overnight bus trip from Central Florida. The pace was slow and filled with whistles through most of the first period. Jeff Antonovich scored his second goal of the season 11:45 into the game to give the Antz the lead.
The Seals fought back again just like last night when Justin Keller scored for the ninth time this season. The FireAntz took the lead back with less than 30-seconds left in the second period on a Nick Kormanyos power play goal.
Florida showed life in the third period once again tying the game when David Deeves found Rob Sich in the low slot. Sich fired it past goalie Glenn Ridler for his sixth goal of the year. Fayetteville showed why they are undefeated on home ice as Kory Baker came in the zone unseen took a George Nistas pass and deposited it to the back of the net. Nistas would add an empty net goal to seal the victory.
SEALS TIDBITS:
- Special $5 off discount for all Florida Seals season ticket holders to attend the "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions show at the Silver Spurs Arena. Show times are Tuesday December 27th at 7:30pm and Wednesday December 28 at 3pm and 7:30pm. Season ticket holders need to show their Season ticket holder ID at the Silver Spurs Arena Box Office to receive $5 off tickets for everyone in their group. This offer is available at the box office only. Box Office Hours are 10am to 4pm Monday through Friday and will be open on event and game nights as well. The Lipizzaner Stallions are steeped in history, having performed around the world since the 16th Century. Over the years, more than 23 million people throughout North and South America, Europe and Australia have seen this internationally acclaimed spectacle. Please note the box office is closed on the 23rd and 26th of December
- Every Wednesday, 7pm-Head Coach Tommy Stewart will be on the "Finish Line" on 740 The Team. Tune into the show hosted by Jerry O'Neil to hear what Tommy thought about the past week and what is ahead for the Florida Seals.
- Fri. Dec. 30-"GUNS âN' HOSES NIGHT"-The Seals welcome in all first responders free to the game on Dec. 30. Each police, fire and EMT will receive one free ticket to the game and their guests each get $4 off their tickets. Throughout the night, the Seals will have contests pitting each of the units against each other. Come cheer on your favorite first responder at the Silver Spurs Arena.
- Sat. Dec. 31-"NEW YEAR'S EVE BASH"-The Seals will hold their second jersey auction of the year with special 2006 jerseys. During the game, the fans can participate in a silent auction to get their very own Seals game worn jerseys. After the game, a handful of selected jerseys will be put to live auction.
- Fri. Jan. 13-"SCOUT NIGHT"-All scouts and their guests will receive $4 off ticket prices. In addition, any scout who attends the game will get a badge to show their community pride with the Florida Seals. Plus, Scouts will be participating throughout the night in different activities on and off the ice.
- Fri. Jan. 13-"ST. CLOUD CHAMBER NIGHT"-All St. Cloud Chamber Members will be invited to a pre-game "Business After Hours" at the Silver Spurs Arena. Come see the great building that Florida Seals play in. As always, door prizes will be given to lucky chamber members. Stay after the event for an exciting hockey game free of charge to all chamber members who show up at the Pre-Game Business After Hours Party. Guests of chamber members receive $4 off their tickets.
- Sat. Jan. 14-"FAITH NIGHT"-All faiths are invited out for the annual Florida Faith Night. Get a group together from your church, synagogue, community program, youth group, etc. Call the Seals office with your group's information to find out the ticket special that fits your group's needs.
- WEEKEND BROADCAST SCHEDULE-All games this week will be heard on Talk Radio 1190 WAMT. Thursday's game can been seen live at www.livesportsnetwork.com/sphl.
SEALS IN THE COMMUNITY
- Friday, Jan. 6th- Mystery Reader Program-St. Cloud High School
- Jan. 10th, 13th, 17th, 21st--NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fest at Daytona International Speedway
TEAM NOTES:
- Florida leads the league with seven shorthanded goals.
- The Seals have won seven of their last 10 games.
- Florida is one of two teams to not participate in a shootout this season (Jacksonville).
- Silver Spurs Arena has been kind to the Seals as they have won seven straight on home ice.
STANDOUTS:
- STEVE ZORYK is tied for the league lead with 17 goals.
- JOHN GURSKIS is sixth in SPHL points with 31 (12G, 19A).
- CRAIG MILLER has 14 points (7G, 7A) in his last 10 games.
SEALS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
- CRAIG MILLER-The Fredrickton, N.B. native has been hot for the Seals over the past two weeks. Last week the forward had three goals and one assist in three games against Jacksonville and Fayetteville.
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SPHL Stories from December 27, 2005
- Seals climb to second place - Florida Seals
- Green rewarded, Bechard suspended - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Green Named Sher-wood Player of the Week - SPHL
- Havoc Weekly Update - Huntsville Havoc
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