Ice Flyers Finish Best Weekend With Series Win Against Marksmen, Gain In Standings
January 20, 2025
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
In summoning a resolve and determined effort, the Ice Flyers just celebrated their best weekend of the season.
They answered three times Sunday with tying goals, then took over the third period for a 6-3 win against the Fayetteville Marksmen to win the three-game series, gain five points, and change the vibe throughout the Pensacola Bay Center.
It was something that had been missing until now.
“It’s a huge step in the right direction with these guys,” said Ice Flyers team captain Jake Hamilton, who twice brawled in Saturday’s blowout win to fire up the crowd and teammates, then helped defensive effort Sunday.
“This is the time to start jelling together and that time is starting to happen now,” Hamilton said. “The hockey gods are taking our side with some of the puck luck and some of these timely goals.
“The biggest thing I am proud with this group is we’ve learned to battle adversity. We learned to battle bad reps and we learned to battle from behind.
“Hockey is not a perfect game. That’s what makes it entertaining too. You never know what is going to happen. Just how we responded has been night and day from the team we used to be.”
The Ice Flyers produced a pair of tying goals in the first period, added another in the second period, then followed a go-ahead goal by Sam Dabrowski with 9:46 remaining to seal the game with two empty net goals in the final three minutes.
“Obviously, we knew it was a big weekend for us… three games all on home ice,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “We haven’t played great on home ice, we want to reward the fans. Friday night (an OT shootout loss), I thought we deserved a better outcome.
But we played well enough to get a point that night. And we set that goal right away. We wanted to get five out of six points. What’s rewarding for me is that we are going to have to set some goals to make the playoffs down the stretch.
“That was a goal they set … to get five of six points, but as simple as that may sound, it’s not easy, right? You still have to go out and work hard and it’s never easy to beat any team in this league. We are trying to keep everything in segments here and keep (players) hungry, because that’s what we have to do.”
In winning Sunday, the Ice Flyers moved just one point behind the Macon Mayhem to escape last place in the Southern Professional Hockey League standings. They are now six points behind the Evansville Thunderbolts for eighth place – the final playoff spot – and will play at Evansville on Friday and Saturday.
“It puts us back in the hunt and that’s what it’s always been about for me,” said Ice Flyers goalie Brody Claeys. “We have some much talent in that locker room. There are so many guys who can play hockey at an extremely high level and coach (Graham) has all the right details for us and it’s really been about executing.
The Ice Flyers will leave early Tuesday, likely in advance of a potential winter storm for Pensacola, traveling to Evansville where they will work out on Wednesday and Thursday before playing back-to-back games. They will complete a vital road trip by facing first-place Huntsville Havoc next Sunday.
A quick recap of the latest win.
FIRST PERIOD
The Ice Flyers twice got tying goals in the opening period and headed to intermission with the game tied 2-2.
Fayetteville’s Alex Gritz began his three-goal night with a wrist shot through some traffic with 13:55 left.
The Ice Flyers Matt Wiesner answered on a rebound that occurred from a wrap-around attempt with 8:38. On the play, the puck caromed free off the goaltender’s pads and Wiesner had an easy finish into the open net.
But a minute later, Gritz had a two-on-one situation down the left side, chose to shoot and the puck skirted through Claeys pads into the net.
The Ice Flyers got an equalizer with their first of two power play goals in the game. Blake Tosto gained the rebound off Ivan Bondarenko’s one-timer attempt from the other faceoff circle and buried the second chance with 4:50 remaining.
SECOND PERIOD
Gritz completed his hat trick for the Marksmen seven minutes into the period for a 3-2 lead at the time. Again, it was a 2-on-1 situation where Gritz’ wrister eluded Claeys and into the net.
The score remained that way until 3:04 left in the period when Bondarenko again helped the tying goal with a pass to Doug Elgstam, who uncorked a one-timer past Ryan Kenny, trying the game a third time.
A minute later, multiple penalties ensued from the game’s only true scrum. The Ice Flyers’ Sam Dabrowski was whistled for shoving a Marksmen player from behind after the dust settled. It gave Fayetteville a power-play to end the period, but the Ice Flyers penalty kill thwarted any good look and went into intermission deadlocked again.
“I think we really added some grit that we needed, and it has gone a long ways,” Claeys said. “We have a lot of guys who have just bought in and wanted it more than the other team.”
THIRD PERIOD
Just one second after the Ice Flyers Doug Elgstam emerged from the penalty box, the Ice Flyers finished a penalty kill as Sam Dobrowski gained the puck off the boards and created a two-on-one situation. He rifled a wrist shot into the net with 8:46 remaining for the team’s first lead.
Fayetteville called timeout with 3:02 remaining and the Marksmen opted to pull their goaltender for an extra attacker. The Ice Flyers twice one puck battles and finished the play with empty net goals. Tosto scored his second goal with 2:44 remaining and Bondarenko finished his big night with the final one with 48 seconds left.
Graham credited Houston Wilson for his effort in creating Tosto’s goal.
“He has relentless pursuit of forecheck,” Graham said. “That is what he brings to the table. He is relentless forechecker, Houston was able to get u there and caused the chaos.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Evansville Thunderbolts
WHEN: Friday-Saturday (Jan. 24-25), both games at 7:05 p.m.
Three People Apply For Appointment To Empty Century Town Council Seat
January 19, 2025
Three people applied for an appointment to a vacant seat on the non-partisan Century Town Council.
Seat 4 was left open when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr. resigned.
The council plans to choose one of the candidates at a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday; however, there is a chance that the meeting may be rescheduled due to ice or snow (we’ll let you know here on NorthEscambia.com.)
The three applicants are:
- Constance Brookhart, who described herself as a very detailed person that is a supervisor at a water utility with over 20 years’ experience in dealing with people and finances. She would love to see Century “as a vibrant business area” that should be clean and decorated.
- Kathryn Fleming, who previously worked as a mental health case manager for about two years in Brewton that describes herself as a problem solver. She said Century is a gateway to Pensacola beaches and aviation that should draw tourists, and the county is growing north. She served on the Century Charter Review committee from 2022-2023.
- Lizbeth A. “Sparkie” Harrison, who has lived and worked as a director of PSC Century Center for two years that is “driven by the desire to help others and enhance the quality of life for all who call Century home. She attached a cover letter and a three-page “Vision Plan for Century” to the town’s basic application.
To read the applications, click here. (Editor’s note: While part of the public record provided to us by the town, we have redacted addresses and personal contact information from this pdf.)
MLK Day Parades, Celebrations Planned For Monday
January 19, 2025
Martin Luther King. Jr. parades and a celebrations are planned for Monday in Century, Cantonment and Atmore.
The Pensacola parade has been canceled due to weather.
CENTURY
The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will be held on Monday, January 20 in Century. The main program begins at 10 a.m. indoors at the Century Community Center on Highway 4 featuring music and food. Parade will follow the program with line up at 12:30 p.m. and the motorcade at 1 p.m. from the community center to the old Carver Middle School. Call Melvin Whatley for more information (850) 530-3160.
CANTONMENT
The 18th annual MLK Parade will roll at 4 p.m. in Cantonment. Line up begins at 3 p.m. at Carver Park, 308 Webb Street. There were about 70 units scheduled to take part. For more information, contact Dr. Mary Floyd at (850) 390-1912.
PENSACOLA
The City of Pensacola has canceled the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade originally scheduled for Monday, January 20 due to cold weather.
ATMORE
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade will roll at 10 a.m. on Monday from Houston Avery Park.
Today Is The Day To Protect Your Pipes From Freezing Temperatures
January 19, 2025
Today is the day to take steps to protect your pipes again extreme freezing weather this week.
There are steps that will protect household pipes from freezing temperatures. Lows around 20 are forecast for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday And Wednesday nights with daytime highs only in the 30s after Sunday. External, exposed pipes are naturally the most likely to freeze.
Here are tips from ECUA:
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This prevents the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
- Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and/or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually, this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
- Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
All West Florida Library Book Drops Closed Until After Special Election
January 19, 2025
All West Florida Libraries book drops are closing until after the January 28 special primary election.
Materials can be returned to the service desk at any WFPL library.
All WFPL book drops will reopen on January 29 according to the library system.
The Pensacola, Southwest and Bellview libraries will be early voting locations through January 25. The main Pensacola and Bellview libraries are both early voting and election day polling locations; however, Southwest is not a regular polling place. (There is also early voting near the Molino Library in the Molino Community Center, but not in the actual library.)
Pictured: The book drop outside the Molino Branch Library during the November 2024 election cycle. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cold Weather Shelters Available For Escambia County Residents
January 19, 2025
Unfortunately, there are no public cold weather shelters in North Escambia, but there ware shelters available to Escambia County residents in Pensacola to provide relief from frigid temperatures.
Escambia County (FL):
- Waterfront Rescue Mission
- Men and women
- Open 24 hours, with expanded capacity and no charge during cold weather events
- 348 W. Herman St., Pensacola
- REAP Max-Well Respite Center
- Women with children
- Open daily, with expanded capacity during cold weather events
- Intake is from 4-6 p.m. (after 6 p.m. if accompanied by law enforcement)
- 2200 N. Palafox St., Pensacola
- My Father’s Vineyard
- Men and women (no children)
- Intake is from 4:30-6:30 p.m. (must leave by 7 a.m., with ECAT providing free transportation to Waterfront starting at 7 a.m.)
- Open Sunday, Jan. 19 through Wednesday night (Jan. 22), with operations continuing if temperatures continue to be 32 degrees or below
- 7895 Pensacola Blvd., Pensacola
Escambia County Area Transit will provide free transportation between My Father’s Vineyard and Waterfront Rescue Mission, which allows those seeking shelter to easily travel between the overnight shelter at the church and the designated warming center at Waterfront Rescue.
Through the county’s cold weather sheltering plan, Waterfront Rescue Mission is the central receiving point for anyone in need of emergency shelter when the temperature drops to 40 degrees or less. Waterfront then coordinates with other partner agencies to ensure anyone needing cold weather shelter can be accommodated.
Escambia County (AL):
- Restoration House of Atmore, 1010 East Nashville Avenue.
- Shelter will be open, Florida residents are welcome.
Santa Rosa County:
- Ferris Hill Baptist Church
- Intake from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (After 8:30 if accompanied by law enforcement)
- 6848 Chaffin St., Milton.
Ice Flyers Rout Fayetteville For Best Home Win Of Season
January 19, 2025
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
The customary center-ice salute the Ice Flyers provide their loyal fans extended into a post-game, victory lap of thanks.
On a Saturday night when the arena was nearly filled, a hat trick was produced, fists were flying and goaltenders were fighting, the Ice Flyers were able to cherish their 7-1 victory against the Fayetteville Marksmen, which delighted a crowd of 7,798 at the Bay Center.
Complete with the annual Wiener Dog Race Night, this crowd surpassed the one on December 28 against Peoria (7,325) for the largest in franchise history on a non $5 ticket night weekend.
That game didn’t result in a win. This one became an Ice Flyers showcase.
“We have talked a lot behind closed doors about how blessed we are… with our (struggling) record and fact we haven’t been able to get the job done and to have the fans show up the way they have,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham.
“I have seen in countless hockey markets where (fans) just give up on you. And our fans have been there through thick and thin. They have been supporting the players. The guys deserve all the fans respect, because they are coming hard to work every day.
“Will we make mistakes? Absolutely, but I can tell you all their hearts are in the right place.”
This game started well. A 2-0 lead at first intermission on goals by Michael Herrera, who finished the hat trick with his third goal in a wild second period.
But it also ended well. Even with a 6-1 lead at second intermission, the Ice Flyers didn’t allow Fayetteville to get an early third period and got 18 saves from backup goaltender Cody Karpinski.
“I thought that was the best 60-minute game that we have had all year,” Graham said. “We were down to four defensemen. Bondo (Ivan Bondarenko) went back and played (defense) and (players) battled the whole way. Fayetteville kept coming, they kept competing and working.”:
All of which leads into Sunday’s weekend series finale against Fayetteville at the Bay Center. Fayetteville (18-12, 2 OT losses) began the night tied with Knoxville in third place in the SPHL standings.
The Ice Flyers (9-18, 4 OT losses) will be trying to get five points of a possible six from the weekend.
“Both teams are in good shape. I expect some fireworks,” Graham said.
There were plenty of such explosions Saturday. The second period featured five goals, including three in a span of less than a minute. It included Ice Flyers captain Jake Hamilton twice dropping the gloves at center ice. The period also had the rarity of a goaltender brawl between the Ice Flyers starting goaltender Brody Claeys and Fayetteville’s Mason Beaupit.
Normally, goaltender fights, rare as they are, don’t include game misconducts. Both were assessed that penalty, after they skated out to center ice and quickly tossed some punches.
In the final minute of that period, Fayetteville’s Ryan Nolen was assessed a match penalty for a cross-checking. That will bring a suspension.
These teams combined for 93 penalty minutes on 10 infractions apiece.
A quick recap:
FIRST PERIOD
With Michael Herrera leading the way, scoring a pair of goals, this became one of the Ice Flyers’ best opening periods.
At one point, they had a 17-4 edge in shots on goal, finishing with an 18-8 edge at intermission. Both of Herrera’s goals provided a delayed reaction.
His first one with 11:59 left in the period came from a bounce on the boards. As he entered inside the blue line with a defender trailing, he let a wrist shot go into the far corner of the net.
Six minutes later he was leading a rush with Sam Dabrowski taking a shot that Herrera perfectly deflected into the net.
There were only two minor penalties in the period, one by each team. It was saved for later.
SECOND PERIOD
Cayden Cahill scored the first of his two goals less than seven minutes into the second period. On the ensuing faceoff, the Ice Flyers Hamilton and Fayettville’s Elias Thompson squared off briefly at center ice, but the officials separated them after a punch or two apiece.
And then it was on. Eleven more penalties followed in a series of fights that included the goalies.
But the biggest moment on the scoreboard occurred when Fayetteville’s lone goal was answered just eight seconds later by Cahill to give the Ice Flyers a 5-1 lead with 4:19 left in the period.
“What I liked the most was we scored the next shift after they scored that goal,” Graham said. “That really set the tone. Because sometimes in that second period, we get a little bit of adversity, and we lose momentum.
“Bang! next shift and that’s when Cayden scored. That was the biggest shot of confidence through the whole group. It was the timing of the goal just to see the quick response.”
THIRD PERIOD
The Ice Flyers Lucas Jirousek scored his first pro goal at near midpoint of the period to cap the scoring. There were only two penalties in the period, enabling the game to end in just under three hours.
GAME NOTABLES
The Ice Flyers keep setting participation records with their annual Wiener Dog races. Saturday’s event attracted a record 125 dogs, requiring five separate heats to determine the final 20 in the championship race and the remainder in the consolation race.
Ivan Bondarenko recorded his 170th assist in the second period, pushing him into third place all-time points in Ice Flyers history, ahead of Adam Pawlick.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Fayetteville Marksmen vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
January 19, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade – Motorists will encounter a road closure from A Street to Tarragona Street Monday, Jan. 20 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 17th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, Jan. 19 through Thursday, Jan. 23, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – The week of Sunday, Jan. 19, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, as crews perform paving operations.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions Sunday, Jan. 19 through Thursday, Jan. 23, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade – Motorists will encounter a road closure from Elva Street to Raymond Hobbs Street Monday, Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Jan. 19 through Thursday, Jan. 23, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on westbound U.S. 90 may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, Jan. 19 through Thursday, Jan. 23 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform shoulder work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Jan. 19, through Friday, Jan. 24, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Jan. 22 through Friday, Jan. 24 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Groundbreaking Held For ECSO’s New Law Enforcement Memorial Plaza
January 18, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation, held a groundbreaking ceremony this week for a Law Enforcement Memorial Plaza. The project will honor deputies who made the ultimate sacrifice and serve as a place of remembrance, healing, and connection for the community.
The memorial plaza will become a focal point in front of the main Sheriff’s Office on Leonard Street, reinforcing its symbolic importance. The ECSO said the newly designed space will offer a place where memories are shared, where grief is met with support, and where citizens can all come together–united in appreciation for those who sacrificed their lives for our safety.
The partnership with the Sheriff Foundation will provide the funding and no tax dollars will be used in the construction. The Escambia County Sheriff Foundation is soliciting donations of any size, with recognition opportunities available at various levels. “The Foundation Board is deeply honored to support the creation of this Memorial Plaza,” said Foundation President Whitney C. Lucas. “This project embodies our commitment to honoring the brave heroes of the Sheriff’s Office. We believe this plaza will be a welcoming space of remembrance that invites citizens to connect with their Sheriff’s Office while focusing on the shared values that keep our community strong.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Cheerleaders Win Regional Title
January 18, 2025
The Tate High School Aggie cheerleaders won a regional title Friday.
The Aggies were named the Florida High School Athletic Association Region 1 Competitive Cheerleading Champions following a competition at Port St. Joe High School.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.