Ice Flyers Set A Single-Game Attendance Record In Saturday’s Loss To Peoria
December 29, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
The Ice Flyers didn’t want Peoria jumping to a quick lead, or the Rivermen making the game chippy enough to bring constant retaliation.
Both happened Saturday night as the Rivermen scored three goals on their first five shots, then forced the Ice Flyers into third period full of penalty kills to skate away with a 4-2 win Saturday, before the largest crowd (7,325) for a game without a $5 ticket night in franchise history.
On a Military Appreciation Night, which allowed retired and active military to purchase seats for half-price, plus their family and guests, the massive turnout nearly filled the entire Pensacola Bay Center from floor to ceiling, just under its 8,000 capacity.
The crowd Saturday surpassed a crowd of 7,000-plus last season for a game that did not included the $5 ticket promotion – both of those nights the past several seasons have filled the arena.
They saw Peoria (15-4, 4 OT losses), second place in the current SPHL standings, create just the kind of game the Rivermen wanted.
Playing with only 14 skaters and two goaltenders, the Rivermen didn’t arrive to the Bay Center until nearly 90 minutes before opening faceoff, but their physical, extra-curricular style as the most penalized team in the league, quickly got them into a scrum-fest type of game.
The teams were whistled for a combined 25 penalties for 72 minutes, which included several situations with multiple players from each team in the penalty box.
But the Rivermen jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first 13 minutes, causing Ice Flyers starting goaltender Brody Claeys to be lifted, then answered the Ice Flyers second-period momentum swing with a late goal to cushion their lead at intermission. The third period was when Rivermen goaltender Colby Mulse shined, making 10 saves to seal the win.
Both teams were playing their third game in three nights. The Rivermen had back-to-back games in Birmingham, where they won Friday and lost in overtime Thursday. Three of Ice Flyers past four games had gone into OT, including a shootout loss Friday at Macon.
The Ice Flyers were seeking to flip a script, after Peoria dominated with back-to-back wins (5-0 and 4-1) on Nov. 22-23 in Peoria.
This time, a 3-0 lead became 3-2 less than eight minutes into the second period when the Ice Flyers carried a solid end to the rough first period into Adam Pilotte’s goal at 7:48 into the second period.
But from that point, Peoria shut the door. The Rivermen got a goal from Jordan Ernst, who played for the Ice Flyers during the 2020-21 season and that proved the end of the game’s scoring.
A recap:
FIRST PERIOD
The game began with the Ice Flyers having lopsided edge in shots (20-5) and power play opportunities (7-1) at the first intermission.
But Peoria had a 3-1 lead.
The Rivermen scored goals on three of their first five shots against Ice Flyers goaltender Brody Claeys, including the third one a shorthanded goal. It forced Ice Flyers Head Coach Gary Graham to pull Claeys with 7:20 left in the period, after he endured his worst start of the season.
The Rivermen then did not have another shot on goal the rest of the period, while spending time killing multiple penalties. They racked up 29 minutes on nine penalties. The Ice Flyers had four penalties and three of those shortly followed a Peoria penalty to diminish a power play chance.
The Ice Flyers had three situations of a two-man advantage, the longest one for about a minute, and got their only goal of the period on a power play.
Danny Martin cut into the 3-0 deficit with his first goal as an Ice Flyers player. He was able to get a backhand shot off a rebound in the crease area to score with 5:11 remaining.
Eight more penalties then ensued from that point.
In all, this period took an hour to complete.
SECOND PERIOD
With both teams having a player in the penalty box, Adam Pilotte got the puck from a faceoff in the 4-on-4 situation and rifled a shot into the net from inside the blue line.
This got the packed crowd fully energized. The Ice Flyers had a couple chances for an equalizer in the ensuing minutes. But with 3:06 left before intermission Jordan Ernst was part of group in the crease, got his stick on a loose puck that Ice Flyers goaltender Cody Karpinski couldn’t contain and poked into the net.
That goal seemed to be the most deflating.
THIRD PERIOD
No scoring, but plenty of power plays. The teams combined for eight penalties. The Ice Flyers had five and each one caused them to spend valuable time on a penalty kill, unable to get offense created.
The Ice Flyers pulled Karpinski with 2:20 remaining, following a timeout, and briefly had a two-man advantage that Peoria thwarted to help seal the win.
GAME NOTABLES
The U.S. Marine Corps color guard from Naval Air Station-Whiting Field came onto the ice to present the colors before the National Anthem was sung.
Jackie Biggs, a Pensacola native and senior vice president with Navy Federal, was joined by family for the ceremonial puck drop. She was promoted in March to become Navy Federal’s executive leader for operational campuses.
The Ice Flyers have now drawn 67,409 fans in 11 home games for a 6,128 per-game attendance average. Only the Huntsville Havoc, the league’s first place team, has attracted more fans.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers at Macon Mayhem
WHEN: Tuesday (New Year’s Eve), 5 p.m. (CST)
WHERE: Macon Centreplex, Macon, Georgia.
Community Health Northwest Florida Targeted In Cyberattack
December 28, 2024
Community Health Northwest Florida was targeted in a cyberattack, according to the the health care organization.
Community Health temporarily took its systems offline to safeguard operations and assess the situation.
CEO Chandra Smiley stated that there is no evidence of patient data being compromised and emphasized the organization’s proactive response.
“We immediately shut down our systems to ensure security. While it appears patient records remain secure, we are continuing to evaluate the full scope of the incident,” she said.
The organization said it is working with industry experts to restore systems and maintain essential services. While dental, pharmacy, x-ray, and mammography services are temporarily affected, pediatric and primary care appointments will continue on a limited basis.
“If you have an upcoming pediatric or primary care appointment, please plan to attend as scheduled. Staff will be available to assist,” Smiley assured.
Community Health’s phone, email and email systems are currently down.
Community Health operates adult, family care and pediatrics locations in Century, pediatrics in Cantonment and multiple locations in Pensacola.
Pictured: Community Health Northwest Florida’s location in Century. NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Convicted Felon Facing Weapons Charge In Atmore
December 28, 2024
A traffic stop in Atmore led to the arrest of convicted felony from Walnut Hill on a weapons charge.
About 10:5 p.m. on December 26, an Atmore Police Department officer stopped a vehicle with an expired tag on Medical Park Dive.
The officer detected the smell of alcohol on the driver, later identified as 47-year-old Deaundra Thames. Police said Thames agreed to field sobriety test, which he failed.
Thames was placed under arrest. During a search of the vehicle officers discovered a firearm that had been reported stolen from out of state. Thames is a convicted felon in Florida and is designated as a person forbidden to possess firearms.
Thames was charged with DUI, receiving stolen property second degree, and certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Single Ticket Sold In California Wins $1.22 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot
December 28, 2024
One ticket matched all the numbers in the $1.22 billion Mega Millions drawing Friday night. The ticket was sold in California, the first jackpot winner since September 10.
A lump sum payout for the drawing is estimated at $549.7 million.
The largest-ever Mega Millions jackpot ticket worth $1.6 billion was sold in Florida in August 2023.
The winning numbers were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, with Mega Ball 6.
The December 31 drawing will be worth as estimated $20 million.
Tate High Alumni Group Donates To Local Food Pantry
December 28, 2024
The Tate High School Alumni group recently made a donation to the community food pantry ministry at the Back to the Rack Thrift Store to benefit local families. Grace Paulchek presented the food on behalf of the alumni association Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Dog, Cat Adoptions At Escambia Shelter Continue Through Monday
December 28, 2024
Free adoptions for all dogs and cats one year or older continue through Monday, December 30 during the “Home for the Paw-lidays” adoption event at the Escambia County animal shelter.
Puppies are available for $50 and kittens are $25. A $15 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents. To see a full list of adoptable pets in Escambia County, visit 24petconnect.com.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12 – 5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. The shelter will be closed December 31, and January 1 in observance of New Year’s Day.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash Near Roberts Road
December 27, 2024
At least one person was reportedly injured in a crash Friday afternoon on Highway 29 north of Roberts Road.
The crash happened about 12:30 p.m. near Ronny’s Car Wash, backup up traffic on Highway 29 southbound.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
For additional photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Softball Team Remembers Teammate Killed In Pace Wreck
December 27, 2024
Tuesday night, December 17, Sofia Bennett-Tidwell of Molino threw her last pitch ever at a 2030 Show Stoppers practice. That pitch is pictured above.
The following morning, Sofia died in a horrific four-vehicle crash on Quintette Road in Pace.
Yesterday, her teammates placed a cross in your memory along Quintette Road at Tunnel Road.
“Her smile, her drive, her commitment, her athleticism, her heart, her attitude and her effort earned her a roster position on the team and in our hearts forever,” the Showstoppers said in a social media post. “As a teammate, she was second to none! She was the best cheerleader any team could ask for and she was the fiercest competitor. As a player she set the bar for anyone to want to follow.”
Show Stoppers players place the cross, topped by a helmet, Thursday. It’s surrounded by Christmas flowers and stuffed animals. While Sofia joined the team just over two years ago, about 10 of the players have played softball together for years.
Sofia’s teammates and coaches signed the back of the cross with personal messages.
“Flight high sweet girl.” “We will miss you so much sweet girl.” “Best smile ever.” — are just a few of the messages.
“This team is like nothing I’ve ever known as far as how close the players and parents are. We’re truly a family,” Stephani Pryon, a mom from the team told us. “They’re literally all our kids.”
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released a cause of the four-vehicle crash. FHP Traffic Homicide and FHP Commercial Vehicle units are continuing their investigation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wanted Flomaton Man Arrested On Drug Charges After Allegedly Breaking Into Home While Fleeing Police
December 27, 2024
A wanted suspect fleeing from police was arrested on drug charges after allegedly breaking into a home in the Wawbeek community east of Atmore.
On December 23, Atmore Police Department officers responded to a residence in Canoe to assist an Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office deputy.
The deputy was investigating a domestic violence incident and had identified 25-year-old Hunter Leino of Flomaton as the offender. Leino also had multiple active misdemeanor warrants with the Atmore Police Department.
An Atmore Police investigator in an unmarked vehicle observed Leino as he was walking along Highway 31 in the Wawbeek area. Leino fled on foot when officers in marked vehicles started approaching him.
During an ensuing pursuit, Leino entered a residence and was taken into custody without further incident, APD said. Officers reported finding a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue when Leino was searched.
Leino was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. Additional charges are pending from sheriff’s office for the original incident Canoe and burglary for allegedly entering the home in Wawbeek.
It’s Easy To Recycle Your Wrapping Paper And Boxes
December 27, 2024
You can “go green” with those piles of Christmas wrapping paper and boxes by recycling them in your weekly ECUA pickup.
Christmas wrapping paper, along with other household paper, plastics, steel and aluminum can be placed in your recycling container on your normal ECUA pickup day. Keep glitter, ribbons, and foil wrapping out of the recycling bin.
For complete details on which items are accepted — and which are not — try the Recycle Coach app.
ECUA offers curbside recycling for customers in the unincorporated areas of Escambia County. In addition, ECUA is offering free Christmas tree collections. ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties may place real wreaths and Christmas trees at the curb for pick-up with their regular yard waste collection. Customers are asked to remove all tinsel and decorations from their trees before placing them at the curb and to ensure that trees, or portions of trees, are no more than 6 feet in length. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash and should not be placed in the recycling cans or green garbage containers.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.