Ice Flyers Celebrate Weekend Sweep, Franchise Attendance Record
March 17, 2024
by Bill Vilona Ice Flyers correspondent
The Ice Flyers broke from their traditional, center-ice, salute to fans for a victory lap around the ice after their grinding, 2-1 victory against the Huntsville Havoc on Saturday that swept the weekend pair of games from the Havoc at the Pensacola Bay Center.
For a photo gallery, click here.
It further elevated a festive setting on St. Patrick’s Celebration Night at the arena, which included a pregame party outside and the team wearing specialty green jerseys on the ice. What’s more, the Ice Flyers surpassed last year’s franchise record attendance with a crowd of 4,867 that pushed season attendance to 134,127 and three more home games left at the end of the month.
A year ago, the Ice Flyers drew 130,024 for 28 home games.
Against an opponent ahead them in the standings, the Ice Flyers responded from their three road losses last weekend to put themselves on the doorstep to clinching a playoff spot.
The win kept the Ice Flyers (23-23, 3 OT losses, 49 points) four points ahead of Evansville in seventh place, but most importantly, Pensacola is now 13 points ahead of ninth place Knoxville Ice Bears with each team having seven games left in the season.
So essentially, the Ice Flyers can seal a playoff spot with the next game, which will be against last place Macon next Friday in Macon, GA.
The Havoc (25-18, 7 OT losses, 57 points before Saturday) clinched a playoff spot weeks ago and are battling for a top tier finish. They ended Saturday’s game in fifth place, three points behind Fayetteville for fourth place.
The game recap:
FIRST PERIOD
The game began with one of the most contentious opening periods of the season. It also was a sign of how this game would evolve.
Less than four minutes into the period, Huntsville’s Eric Henderson delivered a hard check with an elbow along the boards that injured Troy Button. Teammate Sean Gulka immediately raced to the Havoc bench and was ready to drop gloves with any player. He slugged one player before a linesman grabbed him.
But after benches calmed, the Ice Flyers were on a power play. A minute later, they had the game’s first goal.
Garrett Milan made the perfect pass to Joseph Widmar, who buried a one-timer shot into the net for his 17th goal of the season.
With 8:15 left, the Havoc thought they had the tying goal, after a shot by Buster Larsson slipped through the pads of Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger. But the Ice Flyers’ Nick Leitner swept the puck out of the goal area as the puck straddled the goal line.
After stopping play, the officials reviewed the play for several minutes before signaling no goal. The Ice Flyers later exited into intermission with 1-0 lead.
SECOND PERIOD
The Havoc tied the game with 13:50 left when Cole Reginato flicked in a loose puck on a scramble in front of the net. With Mundinger on his back and players battling, Reginato got a blade on the puck and scored.
But Milan and the Ice Flyers quickly answered 70 seconds later and it changed the game.
Milan broke free on the wing, came across the ice near the net, and flicked in a backhand shot between goaltender Brian Wilson’s pads for the 2-1 lead.
With nine seconds left in the period, Reginato was given a five-minute major, then a match penalty after decking the Ice Flyers Malik Johnson with a sucker punch. The Ice Flyers’ Lucas Herrmann left the bench to handle Reginato and was tossed from the game.
But that sequence further reinforced the Ice Flyers ability to answer with their own fists when Huntsville triggered a fight.
THIRD PERIOD
No scoring, but there were three power play chances. The Ice Flyers got two opportunities, but couldn’t cash in. Huntsville had a chance midway through the period.
The Havoc pulled Wilson with 1:38 remaining, then called a timeout nine seconds later. They kept the puck in the Ice Flyers zone, but never had a chance to set up for a clear shot. In the final seconds, the Ice Flyers kept the puck and battles along the board to kill more seconds.
Mundinger was hugged as the horn sounded. It was his 13th win this season.
QUOTABLES:
Ice Flyers Coach Gary Graham: “Special teams was big tonight and that’s really what the game boiled down to. Dinger (Mundinger) made some big saves in the second period when we weren’t at our best. (Havoc) made a good push and they were clearly the better team in the second period and Dinger bailed us out several times.”
On Setting Attendance Record: “We’ve talked about it all year about how fans have embraced it and what we’re doing as an organization to put not only a fun produce on the ice, but the environment off the ice. I went out today and see the front parking lot (pre-game party) and it was unbelievable. Hearing Colm play in the stands and the bagpipes… they just really rolled out the red carpet for the fans in this event and I think that’s why the community is really rallying around the team and coming out to support even more because of what we are doing.”
On The Team Bouncing Back: “It was a grind last weekend. It was a coin-flip game last Friday against Peoria. We were not good on Saturday (vs. Peoria) and Evansville…we were the better team and lost with 16 seconds left, so it was disappointing to not get points. It was a long week. We dealt with a lot of adversity, roster changes and stuff, but I thought again this week… you are going to deal with that at the SPHL and ECHL level… you are going to have those weird weeks where it seems you can’t buy a break and we couldn’t last week. This week, we were able to reset, get some new guys in and they did a great job. We had a couple of good practices and got rewarded.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NEXT FACEOFF
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Macon Mayhem
WHEN: March 22-23
WHERE: Macon Centreplex, Macon, Georgia.
Century Man Tased As Deputies Arrest Him On Outstanding Warrants
March 16, 2024
A Century man was tased after deputies attempted to arrest him on two-year old outstanding domestic violence warrants.
Clark Thompson Henthorne, 36, was charged with resisting without violence, in addition to the domestic violence offenses.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Henthorne was at a residence in the 3700 block of South Century Boulevard. Deputies responded and received permission to search the house.
Henthorne was located under a pile of clothes in the master bedroom closet, according to an arrest report.
“I then gave commands to Henthorne not to move, at which time he popped up out of the pile of clothes yelling and, screaming that I was going to have to shoot him,” the deputy wrote in the report. Henthorne refused all commands and was tased by two deputies.
Henthorne was evaluated and medically cleared by Escambia County EMS.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $9,000 bond.
Navy Federal Announces Next Chief Operating Officer
March 16, 2024
Kara Cardona has been announced as Navy Federal Credit Union’s next Chief Operating Officer. Cardona replaces Dietrich Kuhlmann, who recently succeeded Mary McDuffie as Navy Federal’s Chief Executive Officer. All transitions were effective as of March 1, 2024.
Cardona has nearly 25 years of experience at Navy Federal, the past three of which she spent as its executive vice president for Contact Center Operations and Greater Pensacola Operations. Here, she led the credit union’s largest business unit and oversaw functions of its three campus locations. As COO, Cardona reports directly to Kuhlmann out of the credit union’s headquarters in Vienna, VA.
“Kara has always been strongly aligned with our mission to serve our members,” said Kuhlmann. “Her unique blend of people leadership, transformative thinking and operational acumen make her an ideal fit as our new COO.”
In her most recent role, Cardona led a team that set records for call volume, won numerous awards for contact center operations and reached new heights in member satisfaction. Prior to that, Cardona served as Navy Federal’s assistant vice president for Projects and Analysis and as vice president in Branch Operations, which at the time included 1,800 team members across 150 global branches.
“When I joined the credit union as a part-time employee at our branch in Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, I completely fell in love with the culture and the mission of Navy Federal,” said Cardona. “I had no idea I would be where I am today, and it is such an honor to give back to our teams and members in this way.”
McDuffie announced to Navy Federal’s Board of Directors and staff last September that she would be retiring from the CEO post she’d held since 2018. Kuhlmann was appointed as her successor following a rigorous, months-long search led by the credit union’s board.
“Given her extensive experience at Navy Federal Credit Union, Kara is deeply familiar with how our teams work together to provide what our members need – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Kuhlmann continued. “I congratulate her on this new opportunity, and I know she will be a tremendous asset in helping to ensure Navy Federal continues to meet our mission and serve our members worldwide.”
Bluff Springs, Cotton Lake and Williams Lake Recreation Sites Closed Due To High River Level
March 16, 2024
The Northwest Florida Water Management District has closed three recreation sites in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area due to the high level of the Escambia River.
The Bluff Springs, Cotton Lake and Williams Lake sites are closed until further notice.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Boys Tennis Defeats Washington
March 16, 2024
The Tate Aggies boys tennis team defeated Washington Friday at the Roger Scott Tennis Center in Pensacola. The team improved to 7-1 overall with the win. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Beat Huntsville Havoc (With Gallery)
March 16, 2024
The Pensacola Ice Flyers overcame an early 2 goal deficit and came out on top with a 6-3 win over the Huntsville Havoc on Friday.
Returning to home ice after a three game losing streak on the road, the Ice Flyers played with a sense of urgency and battled through in a high scoring game that saw five different Ice Flyers find the back of the net.
For a photo gallery, click here.
FIRST PERIOD
The Havoc started off hot with Derek Perl (10:19) and Phil Elgstam (11:07) getting past goaltender Eric Dop.
Joseph Widmar battled his way in front of the net and started the scoring for the Ice Flyers with 6:57 left in the period.
Troy Button tied things up for the home team at the 16:47 mark after deflecting a shot by newcomer, Erik Urbank, scoring his first professional goal.
SECOND PERIOD
Captain Garrett Milan had the only goal of the 2nd period with a slapshot on a pass from Lucas Herrmann at 2:20, giving the Ice Flyers a 3-2 lead.
THIRD PERIOD
Lucas Herrmann further extended the lead at 5:52 after swooping in on a deflection off of the pads of Havoc goaltender, Mike Robinson.
The Havoc answered with a goal from Dylan Stewart with 9:39 left in the game.
Ivan Bondarenko put on the jets soon after and knocked in a goal, after a beautiful pass from Mitch Atkins, bringing the Ice Flyers back to a comfortable 2 goal lead with 9:10 left on the clock.
With :38 seconds left on the clock, Ivan Bondarenko got his 2nd goal of the game on an empty net.
QUOTABLES
Ice Flyers Coach Gary Graham:
“Every fan we appreciate. We had a hot start to the season on home ice and we kinda cooled off. You know, as a group, fans want to come see a winning product on the ice. It’s up to us to find that, so it’s good to get a win in front of the fans… We just got to make sure we stay hungry for tomorrow night.”
Ice Flyers Forward Ivan Bondarenko:
“Obviously, that was not the start we wanted, but I think the biggest thing with us was staying calm. We knew there was a lot of game left. We just had to outweigh that storm that came down on us in those couple minutes when they scored two goals… We went back to work right away. It was good to bounce back in the first period though, leading into the second or third.”
“On that first one (goal), I’ve got to give credit to my boy Mitch Atkins. What a pass! That sauce across the ice was unbelievable. All I had to do was just be there and bounce it in.”
“It’s not easy to play the same team back to back nights. Especially after a win, they’re going to come a little more angry. But we’ve been preparing for them all week, so we’re just going to stay with the structure that we have and keep doing what we’re doing.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NEXT FACEOFF
WHO: Ice Flyers vs. Huntsville Havoc
THEME: St. Patrick’s Celebration
WHEN: March 16
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola, FL
Suspects Ages 14 and 19 Charged In Murder of 15-Year Old In Pensacola
March 15, 2024
A 14-year-old has been charged with murder in the shooting death of a 15-year old Thursday night in Pensacola Thursday night. A 19-year old has also been charged as an accessory after the fact to murder.
Remington Andrew Crumbs, 14, is being held by the Department of Juvenile Justice on one count of murder.
Rumariya Union, 19, is in the Escambia County Jail without bond, charged with felony accessory after fact.
Pensacola Police responded to a report of a shooting just after 8 p.m. Thursday in the 2800 block of North 9th Avenue, where they found the 15-year old male victim. The victim was taken to a local hospital and died from his injuries.
Detectives are still working to determine a motive. During the incident, one shot was fired, leaving the victim with a fatal injury.
Witnesses to the incident provided information that led officers to one of the apartments in the complex where both suspects were located. They were taken to the Pensacola Police Department, and based on statements and evidence, they were both charged.
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Sheriff’s Office Unveils New High Tech Real-Time Crime Center (With Photo Gallery)
March 15, 2024
Escambia County’s high tech Real-Time Crime Center is now up and running at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
It’s officially called the Star Network, an over 5,700 square foot room that was previously served as a gym. Funded with over $1 million in Local Option Sales Tax funds, the room features a large video wall and working space for crime analysts.
With access to hundreds of cameras and license plate readers, the crime center provides real-time information to help fight crime in the county. With ShotSpotter technology covering a few square miles of the county and the City of Pensacola, the crime center knows about shots fired even before the first 911 call is made. And they can see where every deputy in the county is in real-time and rely on crime-fighting information to them.
The Pensacola Police Department will also utilize the center and provide staffing.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Salzman To Host 30,000 Pound Food, Car Seat Giveaway Saturday
March 15, 2024
Rep. Michelle Salzman and partners will host a giveaway with 30,000 pounds of fresh food and hundreds of car seats for District 1 residents on Saturday, March 16.
The event will take place starting at 7:30 a.m. while supplies remain at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church at 6205 North W Street in Pensacola.
This event will be a drive-thru for food with a designated space for walk-up, and a separate space for people to pick up their car seats. Vehicles should not line up earlier than 7:00 a.m.
Car seats were limited and have all been claimed by early registrants. Recipients have been emailed and must pick up their car seat between 8 am and 11 a.m. on the day of the event, with no exceptions.
“These quarterly community outreach events I have hosted for several years could not be possible without partners like Kevin Stephens, Jessica Lee (Kia Autosports), and of course our Farm Share team. Myself, the sheriff, our county commissioners, and others have truly been honored to serve our community in this way,” Salzman said.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Northview Chiefs Defeat The Choctaw Indians 4-1
March 15, 2024
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Indian of Choctawhatchee 4-1 Thursday night.
Jamison Gilman led the Chiefs off in the circle, giving up one hit and no runs in two innings while striking out six and walking one. Mikayla McAnally went for three innings in relief, surrendering no hits and no runs whiles striking out five and walking none. Avery Stuckey pitched for two, giving up two hits, one run, striking out one and walking one.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Gilman, Chloe Ragsdale, and Makayla Golson each collected two hits for Northview Varsity Chiefs. Ragsdale, Makayla Golson, Kylee Langham, and Riley Brooks each drove in one run for the Lady Chiefs. Northview had five stolen bases for the night, including two from Golson.
The Lady Chiefs will travel to rival Jay on Friday. The varsity will play first at 4 p.m. immediately followed by the junior varsity, weather permitting. (The game times were reversed from the original schedule due to the threat of rain.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
