Seals register points all week
Published on November 7, 2005 under SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
THIS WEEK:
THU Nov. 10 Fayetteville @ SEALS 7:35 p.m. Silver Spur Arena
**MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT**
A week ago these two teams played on the same night in the same place. The Antz will crawl into Central Florida on Military Appreciation Night. All active and retired military will receive $4 off their game ticket at the box office. Stay after the game, as the Seals will auction off their game worn military jerseys. It will be another "Thirsty Thursday" of the season for the Seals with $1 beer specials available.
Season Series: Seals lead 1-0-0-0 (Last meeting: 5-3 win @ FLA on Nov. 3)
All Time Series: Seals lead 10-2-0-0
LAST WEEK:
THU Nov. 3 Fayetteville @ SEALS (5-3 WIN) 7:35 p.m. Silver Spurs Arena
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 seconds later, giving the Seals the two-goal cushion they would never relinquish.
The rally truly started 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 home crowd making some noise did not faze the FireAntz. Fayetteville kept the pressure on the Seals forcing Terry Denike to make some thrilling 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.
FRI Nov. 4 Knoxville @ SEALS (3-2 OT loss) 7:35 p.m Silver Spurs Arena
The Florida Seals saw their modest home winning streak come to an end Friday night. Knoxville claimed the overtime victory 3-2.
Jason Bermingham, playing in his second game of the season, netted the overtime winner, after crafty stick work by Mike Craigen. Craigen appeared to hook Florida defenseman Art Mnatsakanov to free the puck up to Bermingham who found the back of the net.
The teams battled evenly throughout the game. It was vastly different from the opening night game the two teams played in Knoxville two weeks ago.
Knoxville got on the board first when Nathan Daly netted his second goal of the season at the 16:07 mark of the first period. That would be the only offense in the first twenty minutes.
The Seals excited the home crowd and looked to take control throughout the second period. Steve Zoryk scored his second goal of the season on a nice tic-tac-toe power play goal with David Deeves and Jon Gurskis assisting.
The Seals constantly frustrated Ice Bears goalie James Ronayne during the second period with heavy traffic in front of the net. For Florida it paid dividends at the 10:18 mark. Ryan Baker took a shot on the doorstep only to be stopped by Ronayne. A hard charging Dominick Dawes saw a loose puck in the crease and pushed it to the back of the net just before the Knoxville goalie was able to put his glove on top of the puck.
The Dawes goal, his first of the season, gave the Seals their first lead of the game. Knoxville found themselves heading into the final frame down a goal, the first time this season they were behind after 40 minutes.
The Seals dropped their second overtime game of the season. Knoxville skated in their fourth consecutive extra session, earning their first overtime victory of the young season. Jacksonville had eight players making their pro debut and two of them came up huge. The story of the night was goaltender Pat Berrigan. The rookie net minder came within 2:24 of posting a shutout. All in all he made 29 saves to earn the victory. Mike Fougere, another Barracuda rookie, scored two goals to help pace the team offensively.
The Seals lone goal came off the stick of former Orlando Seal Nick Cammarata. After carrying the puck into the zone, Cammarata put the puck into the net on a wraparound, ahead of Berrigan's stick.
SUN Nov. 6 Pee Dee @ SEALS (2-1 OT loss) 6:05 p.m Silver Spurs Arena
The name of the game Sunday night in Kissimmee was special teams. The Pee Dee Cyclones escaped with a 2-1 overtime victory over the Seals.
All three goals in the game were scored on the power play. John Gurskis started the power play scoring in the second period with a deke move in the offensive zone to beat Pee Dee goalie Kevin Schieve. Unfortunately, that would be the only lamp the Seals would light all night.
Late in the second period, Florida defenseman Lawne Snyder took an unfortunate high sticking call that drew blood on Mark Allen causing a four-minute power play for the visitors. The Cyclones wasted no time as captain Eric Naud scored just eight seconds into the man advantage.
Things were even in the third period as both teams had flurries on the opposing goaltenders. Pee Dee kept the pressure strong especially in the first half of the third period eventually totaling 21 shots.
Overtime began and Seals fans know that has brought bad luck for Florida. In the first two overtime games involving the Seals controversy struck. That was the case once again tonight. John Gurskis was called for interference just 35-seconds into the extra session. Once again Pee Dee wasted little time as Mark Allen put the game winner home at the 61-second mark.
SEALS TIDBITS:
- Wednesdays, 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 Coach Stewart thought about this past week and what lies ahead for the Florida Seals.
- Thu. Nov. 10-"Thirsty Thursday"-Enjoy $1 beer special during the Seals game. Bring your friends as we start the weekend early with an exciting hockey game and drink specials.
- Thu. Nov. 10-"MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT"-The Florida Seals will honor the military in this annual event. Seals dog tags will be given out to the first 1,000 fans who attend the game. All active and retired military receive $4 off any ticket. Stay after the game, as the Seals will auction off their special game worn jerseys.
TEAM APPEARANCES:
Wed. Nov. 9, 8am-Give Kids Safe Shelter Golf Tournament-Celebration Golf Course-Garry Unger. *players attending subject to change*
TEAM NOTES:
The Seals have only allowed two power play goals in the last 11 opponents' chances. Florida has picked up at least one point in their last three games (1-0-2-0).
STANDOUTS:
JOHN GURSKIS is one point behind the league-scoring leader with five goals and five assists. TERRY DENIKE is fourth among goaltenders with a .919 save percentage and leads the league with 272 saves.
SEALS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
TERRY DENIKE-The Seals goalie has been a stalwart in net. This past week the Burlington, Ont. native went 1-0-2-0 with a 2.58 goals against average and a .942 save percentage.
RECORD TO DATE: 2-2-3-0 (7 points) 6th place in SPHL
SPHL Stories from November 7, 2005
- Seals register points all week - Florida Seals
- FireAntz remain undefeated at home - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Bermingham's show on Tuesday - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Pee Dee Cyclones weekly review - Twin City Cyclones
- Meet the Barracudas at SOHO Sports Grille - Jacksonville Barracudas
- Huntsville Havoc weekly review - Huntsville Havoc
- Seals fall in overtime - Florida Seals
- Barracudas win again in overtime - Jacksonville Barracudas
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.
