Seals Finish Perfect Home Stand
January 24, 2006 - SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
RECORD TO DATE: 18-11-5 41 points) 4th place in SPHL
THIS WEEK:
THU Jan. 26 SEALS @ Fayetteville 7:30 p.m. Crown Center The Seals embark on their season long six week, 13 game road trip. Florida starts the trip after a very successful five game home stand in which they won every game and scored in each period. The FireAntz have been slowed after a hot start to the season. Florida looks to end their current two game road-losing streak.
Season Series: Florida leads 3-2-0 (Last Game: 7-3 WIN @ FAY 12/01/05) All Time Series: Florida leads 12-4-0
FRI Jan. 27 SEALS @ Knoxville 7:30 p.m. Knoxville Civic Center Florida travels to Knoxville for only the second time this season. The Ice Bears have completed their four trips to Kissimmee for the season. The lone meeting in Knoxville came on opening night where the Ice Bears handled the Seals 5-1. Florida returns to Knoxville only one more time this season.
Season Series: Tied 2-2-1 (Last Game: 5-2 WIN @ FLA 12/13/05) All Time Series: Florida leads 10-6-1
SAT Jan. 28 SEALS @ Columbus 7:30 p.m. Columbus Civic Center Revenge may be on the mind of the Seals Saturday night. Florida played perhaps their worst game of the season. The Snakes went up three goals early in the first period on a Tom McMonagle hat trick. The Seals closed the gap to one goal in the second period before Columbus took control the rest of the way.
Season Series: Columbus leads 2-3-1 (Last Game: 7-2 loss @ COL 1/05/06) All Time Series: Florida leads 12-4-0
LAST WEEK: THU Jan. 19 Pee Dee @ SEALS (5-4 OT WIN) 7:35 p.m. Silver Spurs Arena
The Seals made history grabbing their first ever overtime victory in the Silver Spurs Arena. Florida built up a 2-0 lead early in the second period, only to see Pee Dee tied the game.
The Seals and Cyclones battled in a see saw third period. Florida reclaimed the lead half way through the third period. A minute later Pee Dee re-tied the contest. Dominick Dawes scored what people thought would be the game winning goal at with less than two minutes remaining in the game. The Cyclones pulled their goalie in favor of an extra attacker and forced overtime when Joel Petkoff scored with just 48 seconds remaining.
Fans at the Silver Spurs were leery of overtime. Florida had gone winless the first four times overtime was forced on home ice. Veteran John Gurskis worked the puck all over the offense zone with fancy stick work. After drawing two defenders and the goalie towards him he passed the puck to Casey Handrahan who fired a one timer to the back of the net to secure the 5-4 victory. The overtime marked the third time in four head-to-head meetings the teams went to an extra session.
FRI Jan. 20 Pee Dee @ SEALS (6-2 WIN) 7:35 p.m. Silver Spurs Arena
What a difference a day can make. Less than 24-hours after an overtime thriller, the Seals dominated Pee Dee with a 6-2 victory.
Florida's second line came up big accounting for four of the six Seals goals. David Deeves started the line's hot night with a goal 5:25 into the game. Ryan Rivard added his first goal in 10 games near the end of the first frame to give the Seals a 3-1 intermission lead.
Justin Keller got into the scoring act in the second period pushing the Florida lead to four goals. Rivard would score his second goal of the game in the third period, finishing his three-point night. The West Lorne, Ont. native also registered a Gordie Howe Hat Trick (at least one goal, one assist and one fight).
In total, the Seals second line of Rivard, Deeves and Keller totaled 10 points. For the fifth straight game, the Seals scored in each period, running their consecutive periods with a goal streak to 16.
During the game, the Seals announced the first winner of the annual "Miss Seals Girl" competition. Kristin DeCubellis was awarded the crown as voted for by the fans at the games and over the internet at www.floridaseals.com. SEALS TIDBITS: - Fri. Mar. 3-"SCOUT NIGHT"-The Seals will hold their final "Scout Night" of the season. All Boy, Cub and Girl Scouts will be invited to the Silver Spurs for the night. Scouts and their families will receive highly discounted tickets and a patch to commemorate the night. Contact your Scout leader to get the order form.
- Fri. Mar. 3-"KIDS NIGHT OUT"-The monthly event returns as the Seals return to the Silver Spurs Arena. All Osceola County students will be given vouchers from their schools good for a free ticket with paying adult.
- Sat. Mar. 4-"PACK THE HOUSE FOR CHARITY"-A portion of all sales for the game against Columbus will be donated to various local charities.
- Tue. Mar. 14-"TWO FOR TUESDAY"-Florida will host their final "Two For Tuesday" promotion this season. Fans can come out and get two tickets for the price of one when the Seals host Fayetteville.
- Thu. Mar. 16-"THIRSTY THURSDAY"-Cheap beer is the name of the game on this night. Fans can drink responsibly for $1 during the game.
- Fri. Mar. 17-"ST. PATRICK'S PARTY"-The Seals O'Seals will have a yee old good time on St. Patrick's Day. Fans can catch special fun all night long and sure to be a few surprises along the way. In addition, Florida will hold their final special jersey auction. You can bid on the special St. Patrick's Day jersey throughout the game in the main lobby.
- Sat. Mar. 18-"FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT"-The Florida Seals will honor you, the fan on the final home game of the year. The night will feature many things to show the loyal Seals fans how much we appreciate the support you have given us throughout this years and years past.
- WEEKEND BROADCAST SCHEDULE-Thursday's game in Fayetteville can be heard on Talk Radio 1190 WAMT and on the web at www.1190wamt.com. Friday and Saturday night the Seals will be broadcast on Sports Radio 1080 WHOO and on the web at www.espnflorida.com. All three games start at 7:30 pm with Adam Minnick's pre-game show beginning at 7:15 pm.
SEALS IN THE COMMUNITY - Mondays and Tuesdays during the month of February the Seals will practice at the Space Coast Ice Plex. The Seals are scheduled to be on the ice at 10am. Please note that this is tentative and the Coach may cancel practice at his discretion. All practices at the Space Coast Ice Plex are open to the public.
TEAM NOTES: - The Seals have scored in an SPHL record 16 consecutive periods. - The Seals have won five straight home games, their second longest such streak this season. - Florida has allowed a league low 33 third period goals.
STANDOUTS: - STEVE ZORYK remains one behind the league lead for goals with 24. - CASEY HANDRAHAN leads the SPHL with a +22 rating. - TERRY DENIKE leads the SPHL in wins (15), minutes played (1685:15), saves (858) and shutouts (2).
SEALS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: - JUSTIN KELLER-The Seals second line wing found his scoring touch against Pee Dee. In the two game series, the Sturgis, Sask. native scored two goals and has three assists in two games. Keller also finished with a +4 rating and registered eight shots against the Cyclones.
• Discuss this story on the SPHL message board...
SPHL Stories from January 24, 2006
- FireAntz look to bolster offense - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Cyclones Announce New Ticket Prices Beginning in February - Twin City Cyclones
- Seals Finish Perfect Home Stand - Florida Seals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
