Ice Flyers Sustain Tough Setback After Huntsville Havoc Rally In Third Period
January 20, 2024
by Bill Vilona IceFlyers Correspondent
None of the Ice Flyers previous losses this month stung quite like this one.
The Huntsville Havoc scored three goals in the final period for a 4-3 comeback, road victory Friday at the Pensacola Bay Center that further emphasized the Ice Flyers recent challenges to overcome misfortune.
“It seems like this year, it’s bizarre during this stretch that we’ve been on, that other teams are just so opportunistic,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham, whose team had snapped a seven-game losing streak with a win last Saturday. “I mean it’s just wild.
“We’ll have two breakaways, three breakaways, can’t score and all of a sudden a bounce comes off somebody’s stick and it’s in the back of the net. It’s been that type of last month and a half.
“And even when it was 3-1 (after two periods) I felt like we should have put a dagger in them. We had some grade-A chances that we missed the net on, some breakaways we could have capitalized on, and you kind of let teams hang around and hang around and you leave yourself open to stuff like that.”
It turned into The Riddler on Batman™ Night where the Ice Flyers wore specialty Batman™ jerseys that were auctioned after the game. Replica jerseys were sold at merchandise stands on both concourses.
For two periods, the crowd of 4,425 at the Bay Center saw the Ice Flyers take a 3-1 lead and seemingly headed for a second straight win. But the Havoc got back into the game just 53 seconds into the third period when Eric Henderson’s wrist shot from inside the faceoff circle hit goaltender Stephen Mundinger’s chest, squirted loose and rolled behind his back just across the goal line.
“It was a tough start, bad bounce, and seems like it has been happening a lot to us lately,” said Ice Flyers winger Zac Herrmann, who scored a go-ahead goal in the second period. “We have to figure out a way to find our game again and get going.
“We played 40 good minutes…. But the beautiful thing about hockey is we get to do it again (Saturday)”
The Ice Flyers will play the Macon Mayhem, the last-place team in the league, on Saturday for the annual Mardi Gras Night at the Bay Center. Based on advanced ticket sales, the Ice Flyers could have a crowd surpassing 7,000 for a third consecutive Saturday.
“We have to flush it quickly,” Graham said. “We’ve got to get points this weekend. We talked about this homestand and how important it was. The group knows it. We have some good dudes in that (locker) room.”
The game was tied 1-1 after a first period where the Ice Flyers had an 18-4 edge in shots on goal. The Havoc scored with their first shot that didn’t happen until nearly 7 minutes, 30 seconds into the game.
Havoc winger David Thomson rifled a wrist shot past Mundinger on a wing rush inside the faceoff circle. Through two periods, the Ice Flyers had a 31-11 advantage with shots on goal and finished outshooting Huntsville 37-16.
“(Mundinger) hadn’t seen a shot at that point and he sees a laser beam up over his shoulder,” Graham said, “For Dinger, those games are very challenging at the pro level when they are seeing no action, no pucks,” Graham. “There were a couple random shots that it looked like he was struggling with in the second period and that’s normal when the goalies aren’t seeing a lot of action. You’re only seeing three shots, six shots and so those games can be challenging.
“He hadn’t seen a shot at that point, and he sees a laser beam up over his shoulder. So, lot of times with a goalie when they get in a flow of the game and start seeing some shots.”
The Ice Flyers got the tying goal in the first period when Dale Deon got his first goal in an Ice Flyers uniform by knocking in a rebound near the crease. He was one of the three players acquired in a trade from Peoria. The Ice Flyers finished the period killing off a penalty.
The Herrmann brothers then gave the Ice Flyers a lead with their goals three minutes apart early in the second period.
Zac Herrmann’s goal came off a face-off with his wrist shot into the top corner of the net, less than five minutes into the third period, on an assist from Ivan Bondarenko.
Younger brother, Lucas Herrmann, then finished a 2-on-1 rush while on a penalty kill. Malik Johnson broke free made a nifty move across the crease to get Havoc goaltender Matt Petizian on his back and Lucas finished the rebound into the net for a 3-1 lead with 12:07 remaining in the second period.
“It’s pretty cool (both scoring),” Zac Herrmann said, “Obviously, on the flip side, you want to win the game. My dad’s brother is here, first time he has seen us play in a while, so it was pretty cool.”
Huntsville (16-11, 3 OT losses, 36 points) opened an eight-point lead on the Ice Flyers (14-16, 28 points) for fifth place in the Southern Professional Hockey League standings.
The Havoc got its tying goal less than four minutes into the third period when George Thurston from behind the net off a bounce. It was his first goal for the Havoc. Craig McCabe followed with his first goal for the Havoc off a rebound from an odd-man rush.
The Ice Flyers called a timeout with 1:39 remaining and pulled Mundinger for an extra attacker but weren’t able to generate a good scoring chance against the Havoc defense.
“It wasn’t in the cards,” Graham said, “But you have to tip your hat to Huntsville. They kept working, they found a way. And all the credit to them and their coaching staff.”
“They blocked a lot of shots. That team is by far the biggest shot-blocking team. They put a soccer wall in front of the net. You have to be patient and manipulate around and deliver pucks at different trajectories.”
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Macon Mayhem vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
Homestead Village Retirement Center Fire Under Investigation
January 19, 2024
A fire Thursday night at an Escambia County retirement home is under investigation.
The fire was reported about 7:10 p.m. at the Homestead Village of Pensacola on Pine Forest Road.
Heavy smoke was showing from the two-story structure upon arrival. Upon entry, a fire was located in the kitchen of the restaurant. With multiple hose lines stretched through the structure, the fire was contained to the kitchen area and extinguished by 8 p.m. There were no injuries.
The Bureau of Fire and Arson is investigating the cause of the fire.
Photos for NorthEsccambia.com, click to enlarge.
New 385 Lot Subdivision Planned Next To Beulah Elementary School
January 19, 2024
A new 385 lot single family residential subdivision known as “Helms Ranch” is proposed for Helms Road in Beulah.
The development is planned for 115 acres just west of Beulah Elementary School, on the south side of Helms Road between Beulah School Road and Woodside Road.
With a proposed density of 3.34 lots per acre, Helms Ranch will have underground utilities and asphalt roads.
According to property records, the acreage belongs to Elandrus, LLC of Cantonment.
Plans for the development are currently under review by the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
One Airlifted After Jacks Branch, Highway 196 Wreck
January 19, 2024
One person was flown to the hospital following a single vehicle crash Thursday night.
The crash was reported about 6:45 p.m. near the intersection of Jacks Branch Road and Highway 196. A pickup truck left the roadway and came to rest in the wood line.
The driver was airlifted to an area hospital. An update on their condition was not available.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools Cancel February 7 Early Release Day
January 19, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard has announced that schools and district offices will operate on a normal, full-day schedule on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
The announcement comes after students began this semester with two weather days at home — one for storms, one for cold temperatures.
“In order to do our best to ensure there is no question about meeting our state-mandated instructional minutes requirement, we will change Wednesday, February 7 from a half-day for students to a full day for all students and staff,” said ECPS Superintendent Keith Leonard. “All normal school activities and extracurricular activities will proceed, as well.”
All district offices and services, including Transportation and Food Services, will operate on a normal, school-day schedule.
Tate Ag Department Needs Old Small Engines, Mowers, Nuts, Bolts, And More Donated (With List)
January 19, 2024
The Tate High School Ag Department is looking for items to enhance hands-on teaching in their Ag Mechanics Shop.
If you have any of the following items, contact Mr. Courson or Mr. Coleman or drop them off at Tate.
- Old Push Mowers (Oil and Gas must be removed)
- Old Engines (Oil and Gas must be removed)
- Briggs and Stratton Small Engine Parts
- Scrap Metal
- Lawn Mower Blades
- Nuts
- Bolts
- Washers
- Horse Shoes
- Rebar
- Old Propane Tanks (large not small)
- Rail Spikes
- Metal Gears
- Metal Chains (Heavy Duty)
- Car Coil Springs
- Metal Forks, Knives, Spoons
- Spark Plugs
Pictured: Students in Tate’s Agricultural Mechanics program are working on small engines. This module provides technical applications of using small gas engines. Students are learning practical skills in measurements, troubleshooting, documenting an engine tear down and assembly, completing work/repair orders, and reading service manuals and schematics. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Michigan Man Gets Life Without Parole For 2022 Flomaton Murder
January 19, 2024
A Michigan man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering a Flomaton man in August 2022.
Caleb Scott Anderson pleaded guilty in Esambia County, Alabama to killing 52-year old Dwight Dixon in Flomaton. He was also ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution to Dixon’s family.
Anderson is accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year old woman in Michigan and killing a man in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is still awaiting trial in both cases.
Investigation Continuing After Man Found Died From Hypothermia
January 19, 2024
Police say a man that died after beeing found in the bushes along Davis Highway Thursday morning died from hypothermia and pre-existing medical issues.
“The male had several injuries, the Pensacola Fire Department performed CPR before he was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, the Pensacola Police Department said.
He has beeen indentified as Timothy Emmanuel, 61, of Pensacola.
Police said they did not believe he was hit by a vehicle. According to the preliminary autopsy report, Emmanuel’s death is weather-related (hypothermia) and his pre-existing medical issues.
The man was found between Hewitt and Ditmar streets, south of Brent lane
Anyone that was in the area betwen 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. is asked to call the PPD at (850) 35-1900 or call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP with any information.
Ascend Reports Pinhole Phenol Release Due To Freezing Weather
January 18, 2024
Ascend Performance Materials on Old Chemstrand Road reported a phenol leak Thursday.
A pinhole leak in piping caused by freeze-thaw cycles resulted in approximately 410 gallons of phenol to leak onto the ground, according to a report to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The material was frozen and was to be cleaned up in place.
No danger to residents or the surrounding area was reported.
ECUA Conducting Controlled Burns At CWRF Near Gonzalez
January 18, 2024
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) will be conducting prescribed burn operations on ECUA property in the vicinity of the Central Water Reclamation Facility (CWRF) in Gonzalez this week, weather permitting.
Conditions will be evaluated each morning and ECUA’s burn-certified contractor will conduct the burn operations, which are scheduled to begin at approximately 9:00 each morning. These burn activities are a part of ECUA’s management plan for the ecological restoration of forest lands at the CWRF site.
The ECUA’s CWRF property is in the Gonzalez community and mostly lies south of Becks Lake Road, west of the Escambia River. A small amount of ECUA’s property north of Becks Lake Road will be included in this prescribed burn operation. Although every effort will be made to ensure smoke will not affect roadways, drivers should exercise caution in the event that smoke does lead to reduced visibility on the area’s roads.