Knoxville Ice Bears

OT Goal Lifts Ice Bears to Victory in Season Opener

date: 10/22/2010

OT Goal Lifts Ice Bears to Victory in Season Opener

The Knoxville Ice Bears beat arch rivals Fayetteville FireAntz 3-2 in an aggressive face-off in front of a packed Knoxville house.

With Fayetteville head coach Tommy Stewart and goalie Guy St. Vincent sitting out the game due to suspensions held over from last season's bench-clearing brawl, the Knoxville Ice Bears had the advantage going into the game. Tension erupted quickly with a scrap between Knoxville's Jim Jensen and Fayetteville's Anthony Pototschnik. Despite the forceful play, both teams entered the locker room scoreless.

The intensity in the crowd and on the ice was continuing to build when the puck dropped on the second period. The rivalry lived up to expectations as several squared off during the middle session - David Segal and Dan McNeil, Mike Bulawka and Phil Sbrocchi and Travis Hanson and DeBello.

Former Ice Bear and new Fayetteville captain Craig Geerlinks scored on a power play goal off a pass from Ryan Salvis, bringing the score to 1-0 Fayetteville. Chris Leveille was also credited with the assist.

The Ice Bears quickly answered with a short-handed goal by new Ice Bear Dallas Costanzo with help from Frank Furdero and Robby Spalding. It was Costanzo's first goal of the season and first goal as a Knoxville Ice Bear.

Fayetteville's Cody Zubko scored off a pass from Salvis during a Fayetteville power play, putting the FireAntz ahead by one.

With a one-timer from the blue line, Ice Bear Lorne Misita scored his first goal of the season and first goal as an Ice Bear, tying the game in the last 3 minutes of the third period. The goal was assisted by Mark Van Vliet and Furdero.

The third period ended in a 2-2 tie, moving the game to a 5-minute 3-on-3 overtime. The Ice Bears controlled the puck for the majority of overtime play, making some strong shots on the goal. Furdero had several close calls, but it wasn't until former FireAntz forward Emery Olauson lit the lamp off a solid pass from Jensen, earning rookie coach Mike Craigen his first win of the season.

The Knoxville Ice Bears take on the Augusta RiverHawks on Friday, November 5, at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

The Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville Three Stars of the Game are:

1st Star: Emery Olauson
2nd Star: Frank Furdero
3rd Star: Robby Spalding

 

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