Seals play Knoxville in Finals
Published on April 4, 2006 under SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
For the second time in franchise history the Seals will attempt to win the President's Cup. In 2003 the then Orlando Seals swept the Knoxville Ice Bears in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League.
One team has changed their name, both teams have changed leagues and the players and coaches are different. Florida Head Coach Tommy Stewart was in his MVP season as a member of the Macon Trax. Knoxville's brain trust, Jason Bermingham was still lacing up the skates and scoring goals for the Ice Bears. Seals captain Steve Zoryk was also a part of that series, dressing in Knoxville colors.
The team traveled different paths to get to the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) Finals. The Seals had to grind it out in a three game series against Fayetteville and then swept Huntsville in the semi-finals.
Knoxville only had to go through one series to reach the President's Cup. The Ice Bears took four games to defeat the Pee Dee Cyclones. Knoxville had their troubles against the league's sixth place team. The Cyclones won the first game and even held leads past the half waypoints of games three and four. The more talented Ice Bears finally broke through behind Jason Bermingham's nine goals in four games.
Season Series: Knoxville leads 5-2-0 (Last Game: 6-4 WIN @ KNO 2/10/06)
All Time Series: Seals lead 10-8-1
LAST WEEK:
TUE Mar. 28 Fayetteville @ SEALS (1-0 WIN) 7:35 p.m. Silver Spurs Arena
The Seals and Fayetteville battled for 60-minutes in what was one of the best games in Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) history. Rob Sich scored with 37.7-seconds remaining giving the Seals the 1-0 victory.
Both goalies played amazing hockey in a game that looked like it was going to overtime. Late in the third period the Seals won a draw in the FireAntz zone. Lawne Snyder launched the shot towards the net where Antz goalie Chad Collins made the save. Sich, the SPHL "Rookie of the Year" was waiting and put the rebound over Collins' left pad and under the cross bar for his second game winning goal of the series.
SPHL "Goalie of the Year" Terry Denike proved deserving of the award with his first career playoff shutout. Denike made 25 saves sending the Seals to the second round.
FRI Mar. 28 Huntsville @ SEALS (4-2 WIN) 7:35 p.m. Silver Spurs Arena
The Florida Seals took one more step towards the Southern Professional Hockey League's (SPHL) President's Cup with a 4-2 victory over Huntsville. The win put the Seals within one victory of the finals.
A new hero emerged at the Silver Spurs Arena when Nick Cammarata scored the eventual game winner 5:02 into the final period. It was Cammarata's first career playoff goal.
The Seals looked liked they were in control most of the first two periods. Steve Zoryk scored just under five minutes into the game on the power play. Florida added to their lead when Rob Sich scored 7:13 into the second period.
The game took a huge turn late in the second period as Huntsville got two late goals to tie the game after 40-minutes. Chris Peach scored on a wrap around rebound goal bringing the Havoc to within one and Jeff Dams scored with only 26-seconds remaining in the middle period to knot the game at two.
Sich added an insurance goal late in the third to seal up the Florida victory. Justin Keller added three assists in the win.
SUN Apr. 2 SEALS @ Huntsville (5-3 WIN) 5:00 p.m. Von Braun Center
The Florida Seals swept the Huntsville Havoc 5-3 punching their ticket to the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) Finals. The Seals will face Knoxville Friday in Game 1.
Huntsville came out firing on their home ice putting the Seals on notice they wanted to force a third game. Luke Phillips gave the Havoc their only lead of the game on the power play at the 8:23 mark.
Over the past six weeks the Seals have come from behind their fair share of times and continued it Sunday. Craig Miller tied the game just over a minute later, powering a shot through Matt Carmichael's pads. Nick Cammarata gave the Seals the lead heading into the locker room on a rebound goal.
The Seals came out in the second period and took control of the contest. Justin Keller stole the puck deep in the Havoc zone. Keller skated to the net and elevated the puck above Carmichael giving the Seals the two-goal cushion. John Gurskis gave the Seals their biggest lead of the game at the 4:41 mark.
Much like the last time the Seals visited Huntsville, the Havoc came out with a vengeance in the third period. The Huntsville fans got loud and attempted to propel their team to the comeback. Just past the half way mark Jeff Dams scored on the power play cutting the lead to two. After lots of neutral zone play the Seals were once again forced to be shorthanded. Quickly, Jason deGuehery jumped on a lose puck and put it past Seals goalie Terry Denike making it a one goal game.
After the Havoc won the draw and put the puck in the Seals zone Carmichael came off the ice leaving the net open. Gurskis used his body and moved the puck into the neutral zone. Eventually, Gurskis was able to switch to his backhand, skate into the clear and find the empty net to clinch the victory.
SEALS TIDBITS:
- PLAYOFF TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE. Call the Seals office at 407-343-PUCK to find out how you can get your hands on playoff tickets. Be sure to be apart of the exciting President's Cup Finals.
- WEEKEND BROADCAST SCHEDULE-All Seals games can be heard on Talk Radio 1190 WAMT or on the web at www.wamt1190.com. Every Seals home game can be seen on www.LiveSportsNetwork.com.
SEALS IN THE COMMUNITY
- The Seals will practice at the Silver Spurs Arena this week. Florida's practice starts at 10 am.
- Tommy Stewart will be on 740 The Team with Jerry O'Neil and the Shot Doctor Wednesday at 7 pm.
TEAM NOTES:
- The Seals have appeared in four playoff series in franchise history, sweeping three of them.
- Florida has won all three games at the Silver Spurs Arena during the playoffs.
STANDOUTS:
- JUSTIN KELLER is third in the SPHL with seven points (2G, 5A).
- ROB SICH is second among playoff participants with four goals.
- TERRY DENIKE leads all goalies with four wins and is the only goalie to post a shutout.
SEALS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
- NICK CAMMARATA-The Seals forward/defenseman proved to be a great late season addition. The Celebration resident scored the game-winning goal against Huntsville Tuesday night at the Silver Spurs Arena. He continued his scoring touch giving the Seals their first lead of the game Sunday evening in Huntsville. The 6'1", 205-pounder also added an assist on the game-winning goal. The two goals were the first career playoff goals for Cammarata.
RECORD TO DATE: 32-17-7 (71 points)
Finished 3rd place in SPHL regular season
Beat Fayetteville 2 games to 1 game in Playoff Round 1
Beat Huntsville 2 games to 0 in Semi-Finals
THIS WEEK:
FRI Apr. 7 SEALS @ Knoxville 7:35 p.m. Knoxville Civic Center
SAT Apr. 8 SEALS @ Knoxville 7:35 p.m. Knoxville Civic Center
TUE Apr. 11 Knoxville @ SEALS 7:35 p.m. Silver Spurs Arena
WED Apr. 12 Knoxville @ SEALS 7:35 p.m. Silver Spurs Arena
SAT Apr. 16 SEALS @ Knoxville 7:35 p.m. Knoxville Civic Center
SPHL Stories from April 4, 2006
- Seals play Knoxville in Finals - 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.
