Knoxville Ice Bears

St. Vincent rebounds, series tied 1-1

date: 04/04/2009

Rebounding from Friday night’s five-goal embarrassment, Fayetteville FireAntz goalie Guy St. Vincent nearly posted his second clean sheet of the postseason in defeating the Knoxville Ice Bears 3-1. The win tied the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

An offense that seemed so prolific just 24 hours ago was unable to capitalize on multiple two-man advantages. The Ice Bears outshot the FireAntz 42-38, yet were unable to translate shots into goals. Friday night’s hero Tim Vitek netted the only goal for the home team on a powerplay with 5:49 remaining in the game.

After nearly two periods of scoreless hockey, Fayetteville’s Mike Ruberto broke up the monotony, banking a Rob Colangelo feed off of goalie Andrew Gallant’s back and into the net. The score came with 1:41 left in the 2nd period and gave the FireAntz a 1-0 lead heading into intermission.

 Rob Sich scored his second powerplay goal of the series 8:23 into the third period and Ruberto netted his second of the evening 1:48 later, knocking the puck from the air and sliding it through Gallant’s legs.

The home-ice loss was the first of the post-season for the Ice Bears, who had won the previous four games in the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. The series now shifts to Fayetteville for three games, with game three on Friday.

 

By Anthony Geist

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