Seals return home hottest team on ice
February 28, 2006 - SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
[KISSIMMEE, Fla.]-Three weeks ago people figured the Florida Seals were fading in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) standings. Today, things are different as the Seals are riding high with some SPHL streaks and records.
The Seals will return home this Friday night to the Silver Spurs Arena after spending the last six weeks playing 13-straight road games. After starting out with a 1-5-1 record on the first half of the journey, the Seals changed their fate and rattled off six wins, an SPHL record for consecutive road wins and finished 7-5-1.
"The team really came together the last two weeks and played some great hockey." Said Head Coach Tommy Stewart, "Saturday night in Columbus showed that if we play our game for 60 minutes we can beat any team in the league."
Saturday night's win may be the most impressive. The Columbus Cottonmouths came into the game winning an SPHL record 17 home games in a row. Florida matched the Snakes physically and for the first time on the road trip, won by more than a goal with their 3-1 victory.
With nine games remaining in the regular season, the Seals will play six of their last nine games on home ice. Not only have the Seals been hot on visiting ice, but also Florida currently is the hottest team in the SPHL on home ice, with a five game winning streak. The reward for the great play on home ice was a 7,142 mile road trip through the finer cities in the Southeastern United States.
Tuesday morning the Seals will be able to skate at the Silver Spurs Arena for practice. It will be the first time Florida will skate in Kissimmee since they beat the Pee Dee Cyclones on January 20.
"It will be nice to not have to travel to a practice or a game this week." said Stewart, "It will be like a second opening night this Friday against Huntsville. We are locked in a tight playoff race and I have told the guys our goal is to win all six of the remaining home games."
The SPHL standings are what some people consider a mess. With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, five teams have locked up playoff berths and one more team is on the verge of clinching the final playoff spot.
THE SPHL PLAYOFF PICTURE
Some years the playoff picture is clear with three weeks to go, other years there is partial clarity. This year in the SPHL the water could not be murkier. The fans around the league will be in for a treat as most likely four of the six playoff eligible teams will battle to the end for playoff seeding.
Heading into the final week of February and into March, Columbus, Fayetteville, Florida, Huntsville and Knoxville have all punched their ticket to the playoffs. The Pee Dee Cyclones and Jacksonville Barracudas are still in a battle for the sixth and final playoff spot in the SPHL. The Cyclones have the upper hand up 13 points with nine games to go for both teams.
The Seals, some say, are responsible for not making the playoff picture any clearer over the last three weeks. For Seals fans they are ecstatic to be the cause of this "problem." The Seals six straight wins to end the road trip and Huntsville's recent stretch of winning eight of their last 10 games, has put four teams within five points of each other.
Knoxville continues to play strong winning seven of their last 10 games, moving them closer to the regular season SPHL title. Knoxville holds fate in their own hands. The Ice Bears need five wins in their last eight games to clinch their second consecutive regular season title. Veteran fans of this area of hockey know regular season titles mean very little coming into the "second season."
As for the Seals, we know one thing; Florida will play at least one home playoff game. The Seals can finish anywhere from second down to fifth place. The top three seeds in the SPHL standings get home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Seals are offering an amazing special for playoff tickets. Fans can get tickets for the playoffs, in any seating section, for only $5 per game, some restrictions apply. Call the Seals office to reserve your ticket to watch the Seals skate to their second championship Cup.
SEALS OFF THE ICE
Even though the Seals' players have been on the bus for practice and games, the Ice Girls, Sealvester and staff have been busy throughout the community. Fans in Central Florida have been kept up to speed knowing their local team has started the quest to bring another hockey championship to Central Florida, and the first to Osceola County.
Schools have been visited telling students about the exciting "Kids Night Out" that takes place March 3rd against Huntsville. Every Osceola County student will be receiving a voucher this week good for a free ticket to the game at the Silver Spurs Friday night.
The Seals players will make their first public appearance of March when the Houston Astros open their spring training schedule Thursday, March 2 at Osceola County Stadium. Three of your favorite Seals players will be on hand at a featured table signing autographs for the fans who come see the Astros play the Indians in the Grapefruit League opener.
If you do not see your favorite Seals player at the autograph table don't fret, most of the Seals players will be in the stands taking in America's pastime. Feel free to ask any player you see at the game to sign your favorite Seals merchandise item.
Seals season tickets holders received a mailing this week giving them special ticket discounts for select Astros spring training games. Bring the flyer to the baseball box office to see the Astros, the Seals and fun at the old ballpark.
The Seals have teamed up with the Houston Astros to give their season ticket holders discounts to the remaining Seals home games. Also, if you come to one of the six remaining Seals home games in the regular season and any playoff game you may just see a Houston Astros player in the stands.
Sunday, March 5th the Seals will be out in the community again with the Boys Scouts. The Central Florida Scout About takes place at Ft. Christmas Park in Christmas, Florida from 2-4pm. Local Scouts will get hands on experience in stick handling and shooting tips from Seals players.
WHAT ARE THE SEALS CHANCES OF WINNING IT ALL?
The old saying goes anybody can win a game on any given day. That has never been truer than in the SPHL. The Seals have beaten each of the league's playoff teams multiple times this season.
History is on the Seals side in a combination of ways. Tommy Stewart has been a coach for two years and has taken his team to the finals both seasons.
Stewart's final year as a player saw his career end against the Orlando Seals. The Seals swept Stewart's team the Macon Trax before disposing of the Knoxville Ice Bears, winning the Atlantic Coast Hockey League Championship for the 2002-2003 season.
That season was the inaugural season for the Orlando Seals franchise. This season is the first as the Florida Seals franchise in their new home. Combining the Seals success they have had in the past as a "first year" team and Stewart's success as a head coach may be the championship potion for the SPHL.
WHO HAS BEEN PLAYING WELL IN A SEALS SWEATER?
"The team has played great defensively, our forwards have really stepped up their game defensively helping out our defense and goalies." said Stewart. "Terry has been one of the best goalies in the league this season and he knows we will be counting on his great play down the stretch."
It has been no secret the Seals had trouble scoring goals on the road over the past six weeks. Defense has paved the way for the Seals 7-5-1 road trip. Florida averaged 38 shots per game but only 2.69 goals scored per game. Defensively the Seals held their opponents to only 2.84 goals per game on 32 shots per game.
The road trip was also not for the faint of heart. For those who do not like one-goal games, overtime and shootouts the Florida Seals have not been a team you want to watch. Overall nine of the 13 games were decided by one goal, four went to overtime and two ended in a shootout.
Offensively the team is talented. Stewart expects his Seals to score more and is encouraged by the amount of quality scoring chances.
David Deeves is 10th in the SPHL and 1st on the Seals in points with 53. Steve Zoryk leads the team with 27 goals, 8th most in the league. Lawne Snyder leads all defenseman with 166 shots. Snyder and Art Mnatsakanov are tied for 10th among the league's blue liners with 25 points. Justin Keller has played strong over his last 10 games to help the Seals. Keller's seven goals over that stretch lead the team.
One of the biggest surprises on the team has been Rob "Sidney" Sich. The rookie was a late addition to the Seals but has certainly earned his keep on the ice. He is among the rookie leaders in goals (18), points (34), plus/minus (+14) and leads all rookies with three game winning goals.
"Rob has been one of our best players over the past months." said Stewart, "He is a rookie and still makes some mistakes but he has great talent and just needs to refine some of his skills to make it to a very high level of hockey."
All great teams are often held together by a great goaltender. Terry Denike has been the brick wall that held the Seals together through many of their early struggles. He starts the week as only one of two goalies with a sub-3.00 goals against average. His 2.97 goals against average and 21 wins are second best among all SPHL goalies. The Burlington, Ontario native leads his fellow goalies in minutes played with over 2,300 played, 1190 saves and two shutouts.
WHAT THE FANS CAN DO
The Seals players, staff and ownership are looking forward to a strong finish to the 2005-2006 season. The triumphant return to Central Florida has been exciting and trying at the same time. Before the Seals left for their road trip close to 5,000 fans, the most since opening night, watched the Seals defeat Pee Dee.
As the Seals return to the Silver Spurs Arena the staff has been working hard to get the Central Florida community behind the Seals and ensure big crowds for all of the six remaining home games.
"My family and the other owners want to thank the fans for all the support. It has been a great return year and next year will be even better." Said David Waronker, Seals majority owner.
Each of the remaining games has their own special promotion for any fan to become apart of. Besides Friday being "Kids Night Out" it is also Scout Night III. All Girl, Cub and Boy Scouts are encouraged to get their group together and attend the Seals game with a $4 discount. The first 1,000 fans inside the Silver Spurs will get a "#1 Seals Foam Finger" courtesy of Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista.
On March 4, the Seals are giving back to the community. The first annual "Pack the House For Charity" will be held when the Seals square off against the Columbus Cottonmouths. Every group, minimum 10 people, that purchases tickets will be able to donate a portion of the proceeds from the ticket price to a charity of their choice.
The Seals will have their final "Two for Tuesday" March 14, all fans are offered two tickets for the price of one. On Thursday, March 16 the Seals will celebrate their final "Thirsty Thursday" with $1 beer special during the game.
The final weekend of the regular season will be prime night for fans to attend a Seals hockey game. Friday, March 17, Florida will celebrate St. Patrick's Day by wearing special jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game to benefit Hockey 4 Kids. The first 500 fans to come to the St. Patrick's Day game will get a free lapel pin showing their O'Seals pride.
Saturday March 18 will be the final regular season game for the Seals. Florida will match up against their rivals from Jacksonville. To start 1,000 fans that get there early will be given Coggin Cheerstix. In addition, throughout the game there will be tons of free prizes given to fans for no reason except to say "thank you for your support."
WHAT ELSE CAN THERE BE?
For more information about anything involving the Florida Seals check them out on the web at www.floridaseals.com.
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SPHL Stories from February 28, 2006
- Carmichael named SPHL Sher-wood Hockey Player of the Week - SPHL
- Seals return home hottest team on ice - Florida Seals
- Week 18 in Review - Huntsville Havoc
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.
