Ice Flyers Struggling Start Leads Into 4-3 Loss Against Birmingham
January 4, 2025
by Bill Vilona Ice Flyers correspondent
The margin for error with this Ice Flyers team offers little wiggle room.
The first 12 minutes of Friday’s 4-3 loss against the Birmingham Bulls again reinforced the importance.
After following behind 4-1 in that opening period stretch, the Ice Flyers (6-17, plus 3 OT losses) turned things around and gave themselves the final 30 minutes to get a tying goal that never happened.
All of this in front of a huge crowd of 6,242 at the Pensacola Bay Center only raised the frustration with Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham, whose patience has naturally worn thin. His team has now lost four of the past six games decided by one goal.
“We had a great second and third period. We probably had some goals that we should have scored on that would have made our life a little bit easier,” Graham said. “The effort was there in the second and third period. But you can’t win a hockey game playing 40 minutes.
“We’re not a team that can cut corners at all,” he said. “Very good hockey team can cut some corners with goaltending and with special teams.
“(And) with their top scorers you can count on to score big goals in critical moments. We are not that team. We haven’t been that team the entire season. We have to win tight games, that’s way it’s been the whole season.”
Despite an energized crowd that filled two thirds of the arena on “Cars Night” – complete with the Ice Flyers wearing specialty jerseys in theme for the popular Disney produced television series – the Ice Flyers struggled from the outset.
The Bulls (12-9, 3 OT losses) scored four goals on the first nine shots, including back-to-back goals in a 1-minute, 21 second span. They later clanged two consecutive shots off the goal posts that would have made it a 5-1 lead.
Three of their goals came with wide open nets that gave Ice Flyers goaltender Brody Claeys no chance at a miracle save. But after the Bulls took a 4-1 lead with 8:55 remaining in the period, he stop the remaining 16 shots he faced in the game.
“I thought it was probably the worst period of hockey from our forward group in a long time,” Graham said. “The puck management, the lack of effort on the back check, was disgusting.
“If I’m the goalie and I’m seeing that kind of action, I’m probably going to fight a teammate in the locker room. It was that gross.
“And what’s disturbing is that we have been playing pretty good defensively… that hasn’t been our problem so whatever it was, the guys weren’t dialed in, we weren’t executing a game plan.”
The game changed with 1:56 left in the period when the Ice Flyers Sam Dabrowski made a perfect deke in a one-on-one move against a Bulls defenseman and rifled a shot past Bulls goalie Austin Lotz.
The Ice Flyers then got a second period goal from Jonathan Bartuccio-Pereira, who also assisted on Dabrowski’s goal. With 8:42 left before the second intermission, a potential blowout was now a one-game game.
But it stayed that way. Lotz came up big. He finished stopping 40 shots in a game where the Ice Flyers had a 43-25 edge in shots on goal, much like they’ve had in most games this season.
The Ice Flyers will near midpoint of their schedule on Saturday when traveling to Birmingham for the weekend rematch in at the Bulls’ Pelham Arena.
“You hope that everybody can buy in for 60 minutes,” Graham said. “The top guys have to be bought in. We had countless turnovers (Friday from key top players. Your best guys have to be your lead guys.”
Here is a recap
FIRST PERIOD
Four different Bulls plays scored in the first 12 minutes to build the big lead. The first Birmingham goal occurred on the game’s first power play chance, just 3:17 into the period.
But the Ice Flyers Cayden Cahill gave the crowd a chance for a goal celebration dance when he deflected a shot past Lotz just 42 seconds later.
And then, the bottom fell out for the Ice Flyers when Birmingham scored three consecutive goals.
“It was the grossest we have played defensively,” Graham said.
Dobrowski’s goal, however, provided a positive moment before intermission that carried into the second period.
“It was a good goal and individual effort by Sam,” Graham said. “We were talking about trying to get another goal before the end of the period and he goes out and makes a heck of an individual play. But you’re still not positive in the locker room (at intermission) after that.”
SECOND PERIOD
The only scoring occurred when Bartuccio-Pereira rifled a wrist shot from inside the blue line into the cage. That goal with 8:42 left was followed by several other chances in the final minutes of the period.
“Tip your hat to Birmingham,” Graham said. “They had some injuries and callups this week. They had a very predictable, simple gameplan. They all bought in. They got an early lead and took us too long to get going.”
THIRD PERIOD
No scoring. But the Ice Flyers out shot Birmingham 19-5 and dominated scoring chances. But Lotz came up big.
The Ice Flyers pulled Claeys with about 90 seconds remaining. Adam Pilotte had a chance on a one-timer with 1:02 left that Lotz smothered.
A couple opportunities followed.
“You dig yourself a hole like that, they have a veteran goalie, a goalie that is very confident,” Graham said. “I thought our best chance to tie the game was in the second period.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers at Birmingham Bulls
WHEN: Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pelham Civic Complex, Pelham, Ala.
Here’s The College Football Playoff, Bowl TV Schedule
January 4, 2025
Here is the college football bowl and playoff schedule for the remainder of the season:
Saturday, Jan. 4
Liberty vs. Buffalo (Bahamas Bowl) | 10 a.m. | ESPN2
Sunday, Jan. 5
North Central (IL) vs. Mount Union (Stagg Bowl for the DIII championship game in Houston) | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Monday, Jan. 6
Montana State vs. North Dakota State (FCS championship game in Frisco, Texas) | 6 p.m. | ESPN
Thursday, Jan. 9
No. 4 Penn State vs. No. 5 Notre Dame (College Football Playoff semifinal — Orange Bowl) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Friday, Jan. 10
No. 3 Texas vs. No. 6 Ohio State (College Football Playoff semifinal — Cotton Bowl) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Monday, Jan. 20
TBD vs. TBD (College Football Playoff National Championship Game — in Atlanta) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Century Opens Millennium Time Capsule. Here’s What They Found.
January 3, 2025
The Town of Century opened a millennium time capsule Friday afternoon finding a lot of wet items and a few notable glimpses at local history.
The time capsule was buried in front of the town hall on January 1, 2000, and set for opening in January 2025. Over the past 25 years, water filled the concrete vault. Murky, dirty, stinky water also infiltrated the plastic bags and other containers inside. Most of the newspapers and other paper items were mush. Many photos had been printed on inkjet printers of the day, and the photos had washed away.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Several people present on Friday discovered items that they had placed in the capsule, or items from now-deceased relatives. A form created by the town back in 2000 asked residents to write down what was in each bag, along with their contact information and heirs with the apparent intent of returning the items in 2025. It should be noted that the form also asked for social security numbers because times were different in 2000, potentially exposing names, addresses and social security numbers of current local residents.
Some residents took family items home, and the Alger Sullivan Historical Society took the rest of the items to dry out what they can and document.
And, in a bit of a surprise, the lid covering the vault was signed by numerous people, most if not all of were high school students (it’s pictured in the gallery).
Coming up by Monday on NorthEscambia.com, we’ll take a look at some of the treasures from the capsule and hear a unique local history story.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Homicide Arrest Made After Woman Shot, Ran Over At Apartment Complex Behind Nine Mile Kohl’s
January 3, 2025
A homicide arrest has been made following the death of a woman after being shot and ran over Thursday night near an apartment complex behind Kohl’s on Nine Mile Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to the area of an apartment complex on Baldridge Drive about 8:30 p.m. to find a 30-year-old woman suffering from gunshot wounds.
“The investigation determined that she had been shot and then run over by a vehicle multiple times. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries,” ECSO said.
The investigation led deputies to the suspect, 30-year-old Charles Jerome Carson-Dowdy. He was arrested in Spanish Fort, Alabama. He is in the Baldwin County Jail awaiting extradition back to Escambia County to face a homicide charge.
New Sensory-Friendly Hours Begin Saturday At The Molino Library
January 3, 2025
The Molino Library will begin offering monthly sensory-friendly browsing hours beginning Saturday, January 4.
Sensory Saturdays are designed to provide a safe and friendly environment for individuals who are neurodivergent and/or have special needs and their families.
The special hours will be on the first Saturday of the month at the Molino Library from 8-10 a.m. A sensory room will be open from 8-11 a.m. filled with comfortable seating, sensory activities, toys, engaging fidgets, and fun brain games. Users can come and go as they please.
The library opens for everyone as usual at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Additionally, WFPL now has Sensory Tool Kits and Calm Corner kits available every day for patrons to check out.
The sensory hours will also be available at the Tryon Library on the second Saturday of the month beginning in January and at the Bellview Library on third Saturdays beginning in February.
Pictured: Children’s books at the Molino Library. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Bridge Has Reopened
January 3, 2025
The Barrineau Park Bridge over the Perdido River reopened Thursday afternoon being closed earlier this week due to water over the road and bridge following weekend rains.
It’s common for water to flow across the roadway and bridge when the river rises.
The Perdido River near Barrineau Park reached 11.8 feet on Tuesday night, just shy of minor flood stage of 13 feet. By Thursday night, the river was down to 5.5 feet.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Self-Storage, RV Storage Facility Proposed For Central Commerce Park
January 3, 2025
A new self-storage facility is proposed for the Central Commerce Park in Cantonment.
The Power Boulevard Storage project would be located on Power Boulevard, according to an Escambia County Development Review Committee application filed this month by Hammond Engineering on behalf of owner Ryan Sieg.
The project would include an 18.300 square foot climate-controlled self-storage building that would include an 800 square foot office, four miscellaneous size standalone self-storage buildings and a milled asphalt lot with a 5,000 square foot covered pavilion for the additional parking of recreational vehicles.
The development includes two parcels totaling five acres at 1521 and 1531 Power Boulevard, across from ESA South and Custom Control Solutions. The lots are currently wooded and undeveloped. The facility would be connected to Power Boulevard by two new asphalt driveways.
The property, according to property appraiser records, belongs to Power Drive Development, Inc.
The proposed development has not yet been set for a Development Review Committee meeting.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Homicide Investigation Continues After Man Shot Near Pine Meadow Elementary
January 3, 2025
A homicide investigation is continuing after a man was shot and killed late Wednesday night in not far from Pine Meadow Elementary School.
The adult male was shot about 11:45 p.m. outside a home on Tommy Street, just off Cove Avenue. The man was transported to any area hospital where he later died.
No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Additional details have not been released.
File photo.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fentanyl Trafficking After Traffic Stop
January 2, 2025
A Cantonment man was arrested by police with multiple drug charges including fentanyl trafficking after a traffic stop.
Cole Peyton Johns, 28, was charged with trafficking four or more grams of fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting arrest without violence, possession of a drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license.
On Christmas Eve, a Pensacola Police Department officer stopped Johns for suspended license on K Street. PPD said Johns provided his name and date of birth because he did not have his driver’s license. An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 responded and alerted on the vehicle.
During a search, officers located a backpack in the vehicle, and Johns fled on foot, according to an arrest report. He was apprehended by police at the corner of West Gregory and North K streets.
Inside the backpack, PPD officer reported finding four pipes with fentanyl residue, along with 31.4 grams of powder in plastic baggies and a pill bottle that tested positive for fentanyl. The report states officers also found nine and one-quarter Alprazolam pills, multiple small baggies, two scales with suspected fentanyl residue and a handgun with seven unspent rounds in the magazine.
According to the report, Johns confessed he owned the backpack and told police that the narcotics were heroin but offered a “silent acknowledgement ” when told the field test showed fentanyl. He also admitted to police that he sold narcotics and that the firearm belonged to him.
Johns was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $32,500 bond.
After 578 Days, Longest Resident Ever At Animal Shelter Goes Home
January 2, 2025
The longest resident ever at the Escambia County animal shelter found a home just in time for the holidays.
Daisy spent 578 at the shelter.
She was adopted in time to spend her best Christmas ever with her new family.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.