The Pensacola Ice Flyers came up short in the first game of back-to-back games versus the Knoxville Ice Bears at the Pensacola Civic Center Friday night. This game was sponsored by the Fishin’ Chix in support of the Wounded Warrior Project and the Toys For Tots Foundation. Included in the near 3200 people in attendance were countless members of the military. Military were part of the ceremonies prior to the game, including season ticket holder and U.S. military member Gil Farmer, who was wounded in Afghanistan, dropped the puck for the ceremonial faceoff.
The Ice Bears opened the scoring in the first just over five minutes in with a goal by Berkley Scott, while Jeremy Klaver and Emery Olauson drawing the assists. The Ice Flyers began the second period on the power play, and it did not take long for Ice Flyers’ Matt Robertson and Chris Pontes to set up Chris Wilson to score on the power play to tie the game up at a goal apiece. Not even two minutes later, Wilson added his second of the night, with Robertson and Jordan Chong helping on the tally that put Pensacola up by one.
The Ice Bears drew even three and a half minutes into the third on a power play goal by Emery Olauson. Then, with just over four minutes remaining in regulation, the Ice Bears dumped the puck into the Ice Flyers’ zone. The puck took an odd bounce off the boards and came directly in front of the Pensacola net and right on to the stick of Ice Bear Eric Satim, who capitalized to put the visiting team up by one with minutes left. Knoxville secured the win with an empty net goal by Kevin Swider with 27 seconds remaining, which concluded the scoring for Friday night’s contest.
The official shots on goal were 21-20 in Knoxville’s favor. Ice Flyer Assistant Captain, Chris Wilson, was the third star of the game for his two-goal effort.
The Ice Flyers face off against Knoxville again Saturday night at 7:05 PM. This night is dedicated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Discounted Mid-Center Ice tickets are available in advance only for $15, instead of the normal $18 ticket price. If over 1000 discounted tickets are sold, $5 from each ticket will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Call the Ice Flyers’ office at 466-3111. This will be the last time to see the Ice Flyers play at home for three weeks, as their next home game after Saturday night is on November 26th versus the Huntsville Havoc.