Seals come from behind to win
Published on November 3, 2005 under SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
[Kissimmee, Fla.] -Sometimes better late than never is the way to be. There were two games played at the Silver Spurs Arena Thursday night; one was ugly and one was pretty. The pretty part may have come late in the game but it proved to be effective.
After a lackluster start for Florida, they mustered enough energy for their first come from behind victory of the season. Four of the five Seals goals came in the final 23 minutes. The third period was all about the home team. Florida player/assistant coach John Gurskis continued his hot start to the season by giving his team the lead at the 8:57 mark of the final frame. With an assist earlier in the game, Gurskis has now scored in every Seals contest this year.
The "Thirsty Thursday" fans did not even have time to sit down after the Gurskis goal. Ryan Rivard scored his second goal of the game just 26 second later, giving the Seals the two goal cushion, one they would never relinquish.
The rally truly started late in the halfway through the second period when Florida finally gave their fans something to cheer about by cutting the lead in half. Rivard took a slap shot from the high slot and found the back of the net.
The FireAntz were not fazed by the home crowd making some noise. Fayetteville kept the pressure on the Seals forcing Terry Denike to make some nifty saves. That changed with a breakdown in the defensive zone at the 16:07 mark. Dean Jackson scored his third goal of the season on a wraparound, skating between two Seals defenders making it a 3-1 game.
Sometimes the most harmless shots in hockey turn out to be the best. Florida defenseman Lawne Snyder took what appeared to be a harmless shot towards the Antz net. Jomar Cruz misplayed the bounce and the puck slid in under his pad.
The Seals decided they were not done yet in the second period. Less than two minutes later the Southern Professional Hockey League's penalty leader, Andrew Katzberg lit the lamp after a Craig Geerlinks slap shot was saved. Despite being out shot 31-17, the Seals were tied after 40 minutes.
The FireAntz opened up the scoring by striking late in the first period with the man advantage. Rob Whidden got a gift when a Mark Phenow shot rebounded right to Whidden's stick. He wasted no time and fired it past Seals' goalie Terry Denike for his third goal of the season. The penalty troubles continued for the Seals early in the second period. A pair of back-to-back penalties against the home team led to another power play goal by Mark Phenow after a nice feed from Dean Jackson. The Fayetteville loss was their first in regulation this season. With the win the Seals rose three spots in the standings and are only two points behind first place.
The Seals get no rest as they are back on home ice Friday night against the first place Knoxville Ice Bears. The 7:35 pm puck drop will feature the first "Family Four Pack Night." Families can buy four tickets, four sodas, four hot dogs for only $49. Also, the Florida Seals will be honoring Scouts of Central Florida. All Girl, Boy and Cub Scouts receive $4 off their tickets and a special commemorative patch.
To reserve your season tickets or find out more about partnerships with the Seals, call the office at (407) 343-PUCK or go to www.floridaseals.com. Single game tickets for exciting Seals hockey start as low as $10 for an individual and $6 for groups.
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