Knoxville Ice Bears

Ice Bears win in double overtime

date: 04/04/2010

After a 7-1 loss last night in Fayetteville, the Knoxville Ice Bears were glad to be back on home ice. Even though they were still skating three players short and without their coach, Knoxville scored the only point in the first period. Defenseman Mark Van Vliet scored a goal at 17:47 assisted by Rich Zalewski and John Halverson.

The FireAntz were also playing three men short and without their head coach as well. This is due to suspensions that were dished out by the league for the brawl that occurred last Saturday night in Knoxville against these two teams. Rob Sich, Fayetteville’s leading scorer and the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Most Valuable Player was back on the ice tonight after serving a one-game suspension last night.

Fayetteville quickly answered back in the second period.  Brent McConnachie scored an unassisted goal 2:24 into the period. Rob Sich followed it up with another point less than 2 minutes after that.  Lawne Synder and Chris Leveille assisted that power play goal. The Ice Bears finished the period strong with two goals.  Bobby Joe Pelkey and Mike Bulawka both scored ended the second period 3-2 Knoxville.

Knoxville’s Kyle Bochek was the first to light the lamp in the third period, but Fayetteville’s Corey Hessler answered back.  The back and forth battle continued when Mike Kneeland scored at 13:44.  Fayetteville’s Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn and Lawne Synder scored late into the third to send the game into sudden-death overtime.

Knoxville and Fayetteville battled for one full period without settling the game.  It wouldn’t be until 17:04 into the second overtime when Knoxville John Halverson scored off a pass from Kevin Swider to send the game back to Fayetteville for a Game 3 in the first-round playoff series.

Knoxville’s Andrew Gallant faced 57 shots on goal while Fayetteville’s Guy St. Vincent saw 79 shots during the epic five periods.  The crowd of 2,513 enjoyed the longest game in SPHL history.

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