Ice Flyers Get Rewarding Win Against Macon Mayhem
December 27, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
Houston, we have a winner.
After all that happened, the Ice Flyers had an ending they could savor.
Just 28 seconds into overtime, Houston Wilson broke free on a breakaway off the boards, made a deke, a fake and let the puck just slide underneath the goaltender to give the Ice Flyers a 4-3 win against the Macon Mayhem on the night after Christmas to thrill a crowd of 5,403 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Wilson, a popular player a year ago, who rejoined the Ice Flyers on December 18, after starting the season with the Quad City Storm, was visible the entire game.
Early in Thursday’s game, Wilson just missed scoring on a shorthanded breakaway in the first period, then assisted on Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira’s go-ahead goal in the second period.
His skate-off, game-winner, was one of the rare times this season the Ice Flyers had a breakaway light up a goal lamp.
Hallelujah, was the reaction from Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham.
“If you know anything about our team, and watch our games, the amount of breakaways we get over the course (this season) and don’t score… and if we score on those our record would look a lot different ,” he said. “It was exciting for me to finally score on a breakaway.”
The overtime win provided the Ice Flyers (6-14, 2 OT losses) their first consecutive wins of the season, following the 3-2 win against Huntsville on Dec. 21. The Ice Flyers have now gained points in their last three games, also a first this season.
They will have a rematch at Macon (7-13, 1 OT loss) on Friday, then will bus back in another all-night trip before facing the Peoria Rivermen on Saturday. All teams in the SPHL are playing three games in three days in a post-Christmas flurry.
“That’s just the way it is,” Graham said. “The (next level) will ramp up (Friday) with ECHL with a lot of teams playing six games in 10 nights. We just can’t get ahead of ourselves.”
Two of the Ice Flyers stars of the Huntsville win, Shane Bull and Sean Gulka, both received short-term ECHL contracts Thursday, forcing the Ice Flyers to again find replacements. They now have eight players signed before the season on ECHL teams.
That was another reason why the Ice Flyers performance and fortitude was noteworthy Thursday.
“It was a good team win,” Graham said. “For us, it’s more about what we have to do to win games. We have to block shots, we have to finish checks, we have to do all these little things right to win games, and it’s good to do that and have success. That’s how you build a culture.”
The Ice Flyers were twice forced to kill a 5-on-3 Macon power play. The toughest occurred with just 3:05 left in regulation play when Sam Dabrowski was whistled for elbowing. Graham vehemently objected to the call and was hit was an unsportsmanlike penalty from the bench.
But the Ice Flyers defense shined in that situation, the same way they limited Macon to just a couple shots in a second period 5-on-3 penalty kill.
Graham obviously was not happy with how the game was officiated, but his players responded to the adversity.
“The guys really bought in to getting the kills,” he said. “We blocked shots, (goaltender) Clayser (Brody Claeys) was great and you need your goalie to be your best penalty killer, but those penalty killers really bailed me out for taking that extra one for yelling at the referee.”
Here’s a quick recap.
FIRST PERIOD
At midpoint of the first period, the teams had combined for four goals on 16 shots in a period that ended tied at 2-2.
Just 48 seconds into the game, the Ice Flyers scored first without actually shooting.
Newcomer Blake Tosto had a shot carom off his leg and skate boot as he was being checked and the puck went under Macon goaltender Bailey Brkin’s pads.
A lengthy replay review occurred in the penalty box area before referee Keith Grooms signaled the goal was official. Graham explained the review was to see if there was goaltender interference when Tosto stick got lifted up as the puck went underneath Brkin.
Macon tied the game just over a minute later, but Tosto then got his second goal immediately after a faceoff in the Mayhem zone. He rushed the net and flick a top-corner shot into the cage.
Macon tied the game on a wrist shot by Nicholas Aromatario with 10:43 left and that’s how it stayed until first intermission.
SECOND PERIOD
The Ice Flyers took a 3-2 lead into second intermission after Bartuccio-Pereira finished a perfect pass from Wilson at 7:22 into the period.
“(Wilson) started the season hurt in Quad City and when he got healthy, they had had a lot of their key guys in and he was a healthy scratch as a 10th forward.. Now, he’s getting an opportunity with a familiar organization,” Graham said.
“He’s got a palpable kind of swagger to him. He’s got that smile from ear to ear. He just brings that relentless energy and most importantly, he understands the fans. He understands what the Ice Flyers fans like, they like hustle, they like tenacity, they like guys that are hard to play against and he brings all that to the table.”
THIRD PERIOD
Less than seven minutes in, the Mayhem got the tying goal on a power play. It was a sequence that pulled Claeys out from the crease and the puck slid to Dan Winslow, who had a wide-open net to finish the play and tie the game.
The drama then ensued in the final three minutes as the Ice Flyers staved off the two-man disadvantage and sent the game to overtime.
GAME NOTABLES: It was Youth Jersey Giveaway Night. The first 1,500 children ages 12-under received a replica jersey of the one worn Friday night by the Ice Flyers. The jerseys were provided by the Ice Flyers Foundation.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers at Macon Mayhem
WHEN: Friday, 6 p.m. (CST)
ECFR Says McDavid Mobile Home Fire Was Sparked By Trash Fire; Firefighters Respond To Ascend
December 26, 2024
A fire that destroyed mobile home near McDavid Sunday afternoon was sparked by a nearby trash fire, according to Escambia County Fire Rescue. There are now 12 red bulbs on the wreath during “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
The fire in the 200 block of Cox Road, just west of Highway 29, was reported just before 4 p.m. The McDavid, Century, Cantonment and Walnut Hill stations of ECFR were dispatched to the fire.
Firefighters arrived to find a the mobile home, which was used for storage, well involved in fire. ECFR units worked quickly to prevent the flames from extending to the nearby mobile home and brought the situation under control by 4:21 p.m. The mobile home with heavy flames was a total loss while the nearby structure suffered minor damage.
ECFR conducted the investigation and determined a nearby trash fire extended to the mobile home. Following the mobile home fire, the eleventh red bulb was added to the wreath.
The tenth bulb was added following a residential fire on Saturday in the 8700 block of Doris Avenue. The fire damages were limited to the kitchen, but the occupants will be displaced until repairs are made. Escambia County EMS transported one occupant to an area hospital.
The 11th bulb was added when ECFR responded to a structure fire at Ascend Performance Materials. Heavy smoke and flames were visible upon arrival to the four-story industrial building with the company’s fire department already working the fire. [Read more...]
Pictured: Structure fires on Cox Road (above) Doris Avenue (inset) and Ascend Performance Materials. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vote-By-Mail Ballots Mailed For 2025 Special Primary Election
December 26, 2024
Vote-by-mail ballots for the 2025 Special Primary Election on January 28 were recently mailed to domestic voters who have a request on file. Florida law requires the mailing of civilian ballots between 40 and 33 days prior to election day.
The State of Florida holds closed primary elections. The 2025 Special Primary Election is for Republican voters only. To check the status of your voter record, call (850) 595-3900 or visit EscambiaVotes.gov.
Vote by mail requests must be renewed for each election cycle, meaning all 2024 election cycle requests have expired. Voters wishing to vote by mail can submit their request by phone at (850) 595-3900 or by visiting EscambiaVotes.gov. The deadline to request a vote by mail ballot for the 2025 Special Primary Election is Thursday, January 16.
Two More Nights Planned For Christmas Lights, Hayride, Goats In Pajamas At Bratt Ranch
December 26, 2024
You’ve two more nights left to check out tens of thousands of Christmas lights and goats in pajamas at Run-a-muck Ranch in Bratt. Over 5,000 people so far have enjoyed the lights this year.
The ranch plans to be open Thursday and Friday from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m, weather permitting. There is a 60% chance of rain for Friday night, so that may put a damper on Friday’s opening.
Nestled on three or four acres in the woods off Rigby Road, the display is walk-through (not a drive-through). Admission and parking are free, but donations are accepted.
Visitors walk a short distance from the parking lot down a lighted path and cross a small footbridge into the Christmas wonderland. If it’s rained recently, remember appropriate footwear because it may be muddy. It’s in an open, park-like setting with lots of lights, inflatables, animated display and an old-fashioned hayride down a lighted trail.
Concessions including hot dog meals, popcorn, s’mores, nachos at hot cocoa are available for a nominal cost, and only cash is accepted. There are picnic tables and lounge chairs, and plenty of room to sit around a fire.
For a 2024 photo gallery, click here.
Run-a-muck Ranch is located on Rigby Road in Bratt (about 1.5 miles from Bratt Elementary). Take Still Road south off West Highway 4 turn left on Rigby Road and look for the signs and a lighted arch drive. (We found that Google Maps was a bit off on the location; click here for a map to the driveway.)
Pictured: A recent evening at Run-amuck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
OK, So It’s After Christmas. When Is My Next Trash Collection Day?
December 26, 2024
Both the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority and the Town of Century are picking up trash on a delayed schedule this week due to Christmas.
ECUA
ECUA residential and commercial customers that were due to be collected on Christmas Day will see their garbage and recyclables collected on Thursday, December 26. Thursday’s regular collections will be on Friday, and Friday’s collections will be on Saturday. Next week, collections will be back to normal on Monday and Tuesday.
Century
Town of Century residents will see their delayed pick up by Republic Services today, December 26.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Info On Fatal HIt And Run In JCPenney Parking Lot
December 26, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol is seeing information and witnesses following a fatal hit and run crash that occurred in the JCPenney parking lot on Davis Highway.
A homeless man was located in the north parking lot about 4:40 a.m. on December 21, in an area where semis and commercial vehicles typically park. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
FHP said e victim sustained injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle.
So far, troopers have not been able to identify a suspect.
FHP Traffic Homicide Investigators are seeking any witnesses with information regarding the incident that may have seen the incident or can identify any of the trucks that were parked there prior to the incident.
The investigators believe the incident occurred between 2 and 4:30 a.m. Monday morning.
Anyone with information is asked to call Corporal J. McLeod at (850) 960-8216 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Two Charged After Backpack Found With Drugs, Cell Phones Near Atmore Prison
December 26, 2024
Two men were arrested near an Atmore prison on multiple charges.
Agents from the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Law Enforcement Services Division and the K-9 Bureau, with assistance from the Atmore Police Department and the Poarch Creek Police Department responded to reports of possible trespassers at the Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore on Christmas Eve.
ADOC said K-9 handlers discovered suspects Derrick Bean and Keith Davis in a wooded area near the facility and a backpack containing approximately 448 grams of marijuana, 28 grams of methamphetamine, 8 grams of cocaine, fentanyl, various cell phones, and charging blocks.
Bean and Davis were arrested, transported to the Escambia County Jail and charged with three counts of attempting to commit a controlled substance crime, prohibited activities, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute, and possession of marijuana first degree. Bean was also charged separately with possession of a controlled substance third degree and promoting prison contraband second degree.
ADOC said the investigation is continuing and further charges may be pending.
First Responders Put On Christmas Light Show For Children’s Hospital Patients (With Gallery)
December 25, 2024
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light.
He will bring us goodness and light.
For the fifth year, local first responders gathered outside the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart Christmas Eve night. Children and families inside watched as the first responders gathered outside waving, every emergency light flashing. A few minutes to say they care about the children inside and shine a little light for those who can’t be home this Christmas.
The Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Pensacola Fire Department, Escambia County Fire Rescue and more made Christmas a bit brighter for those in the children’s hospital.
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa And Mrs. Claus Take Last Minute Trip Through Century, Byrneville
December 25, 2024
Santa and Mrs. Claus made a last-minute trip through Century and Byrneville on Tuesday morning thanks to the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Santa made stops to visit good boys and girls at the Byrneville Community Center and on Hecker Road. The Jolly Old Elf also stopped by the Century Center for Health Rehabilitation to visit with the residents.
Pictured: Santa and Mrs. Claus travel through Century on a fire truck in Tuesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Shop With A Cop’ Brings Holiday Cheer to Local Children
December 25, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Shop with a Cop provided Christmas for over 50 children.
ECSO partnered with the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation and Walmart to bring holiday cheer.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
ECSO deputies shopped for these kids based on a special list they each submitted. The kids then visited the ECSO special winter wonderland party, where they received all of their gifts.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
