Knoxville Ice Bears

Tuomi’s return welcome, despite loss to Pensacola Ice Flyers

date: 11/19/2010

 

Tuomi’s return welcome, despite loss to Pensacola Ice Flyers

 

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Knoxville, TN - The long drive from Florida proved to be worth it for the Pensacola Ice Flyers who took down the Knoxville Ice Bears 5-4 tonight in their first meeting of the season. Currently ranked third in the SPHL, Pensacola arrived on a two-game win streak, and despite Knoxville's impressive third period, the Ice Flyers ended tonight with their third straight win.

Pensacola took charge at the puck drop and moved immediately to the goal, scoring just 25 seconds into the first period. Halfway through the period, Knoxville goalie Andrew Gallant moved stick-side leaving Pensacola's Kyle Dorowicz a clear glove-side shot bringing the Ice Flyers up 2-0.

In a similar play less than 5 minutes later, Gallant was covering the right side of the goal and the puck landed on the left where Pensacola's Robert Short tapped it in, ending the first period with Pensacola leading 3-0.

Pensacola grabbed their fourth point of the game when Shultz snuck the puck past Gallant midway into the second period.

The Ice Bears made their appearance on the score board at 13:57 in the second when Mike Tuomi pushed the puck into the net at a crowded goal for his first goal of the season. The former Ice Flyer, who signed with Knoxville this week, was assisted by Jim Jensen and Eric Slais.

The second period ended with the Ice Flyers ahead 4-1.
The Ice Bears made an aggressive comeback in the third period, tightening their performance and challenging Pensacola's lead. Knoxville's Chris Bratina scored the Ice Bears second goal during a power play in the third off a pass from Frank Furdero and Emery Olauson.

Three minutes later Knoxville's Dallas Costanzo scored, shrinking Pensacola's lead 4-3. Tuomi and SPHL leading defensive scorer Mark Van Vliet were credited with the assists.

In an exciting back-to-back performance, Costanzo scored his second goal of the game to tie the Ice Flyers at 4 with another power play goal, this time with help from Chris Pontes and Slais.

The Ice Flyers responded less than 40 seconds later, cementing their lead. Despite forceful effort to send the game into overtime, the Pensacola Ice Flyers ended with a 5-4 win over Knoxville.

Denys Petrukhno made his debut as an Ice Bear in tonight's game. Coming from the CHL, Petrukhno is on a three-game tryout with the Ice Bears.

The Ice Bears will meet the Ice Flyers again in Knoxville tomorrow night to defend their loss. The game will be dedicated to Knoxville's Hometown Heroes, and the players will be wearing specially designed jerseys that will be auctioned off following the game.

Mercedes-Benz Three Stars of Night:
1st Star: Kyle Dorowicz (Pensacola)
2nd Star: Dallas Costanzo (Knoxville)
3rd Star: Robert Short (Pensacola)
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