PENSACOLA, FLA – Heading into its game on Friday, January 27th, the Pensacola Ice Flyers were looking to build on a win in its previous game. At the same time, the visiting Mississippi Surge were looking for revenge after losing to the Ice Flyers 4-2 in Biloxi just four days earlier.
In a battle of goaltenders, Mississippi’s Kiefer Smiley out dueled Pensacola’s Jeff Rose and Matt Ridley’s second period tie-breaking goal was the difference as the Surge defeated the Ice Flyers 2-1 at the Pensacola Civic Center.
The Ice Flyers got on the board first when Jordan Chong scored just 2:49 into the opening period with assists going to Mike Carter and Ryan Corry. About a minute and a half later, Pensacola’s Dan Buccella and Mississippi’s Scott Jenks dropped the gloves and went at it in a spirited fight that reminded the fans of the simmering rivalry between the two squads.
Following the fight, the teams settled into a tough-nosed defensive battle that highlighted the net minders. Then with 3:22 left before the first intermission, Mississippi’s Colin Reddin and Adam Stuart led a foray toward the Pensacola net. Through the traffic in front of Ridley, Stuart was able to get the puck to Redding who scored to tie the game at one. Matt Kinnunen also picked up an assist on Reddin’s tally.
The second period was more of the same grinding, in-your-face action as each bench knew that the next goal would be very important. Rose and Smiley went save-for-save well past the midpoint of the stanza, neither one wanting to allow that second score. Finally, with just under seven minutes to go, Rob Campbell and Nick Guran combined to set up Ridley who beat Rose to put the Surge in front.
Coming out for the final period, Pensacola knew they needed to turn up the heat if a game-tying goal was to come. The Ice Flyers, aided by three third period power plays (six overall in the game), fought hard for the equalizer but Smiley was just as determined to deny them. He made save after save after save, turning back every shot sent his way. Rose did his part at the other end, keeping the Surge off the scoreboard and giving his team a chance. In the end, Smiley won out and the Surge headed home with the win.
Rose played a fantastic game, stopping 29 of the 31 shots he faced as he absorbed his third loss in an Ice Flyers uniform. In earning the victory, Smiley turned back 34 of 35 Pensacola shots. The Surge also swept the three stars of the game with Ridley taking first star, Smiley the second star and Reddin third.
Members of the Ice Flyers collect stuffed animals after Jordan Chong%27s first period goal.
Pensacola%27 Dan Buccella (47%2C blue) and Mississippi%27s Scott Jenks (7%2C gray) duke it out.
Mississippi%27s Jeff Grant (23) tries to intercept the puck as teammate Glenn Cacaro (22%2C gray) and Pensacola%27s Matthew Robertson (7%2C blue) watch.
Pensacola goalie Jeff Rose (38%2C blue) holds the fort against Mississippi%27s ark Versteeg-Lytwyn (17%2C blue).
Mississippi%27s Mark Pawlowski (3%2C gray)keeps the puck away from Pensacola%27s Ryan Salvis (23%2C blue).
Pensacola%27s Tyler Soehner (74%2C blue) gets away from Mssissippi%27s Shawn Skelly (18%2C gray).
Pensacola goalie Jeff Rose (38%2C blue) tells Mississipi%27s Tyler Ruel (9%2C gray) not this time.
Pensacola%27s Jordan Chong (9%2C blue) speeds down the wing as Mississippi%27s Glenn Cacaro (22%2C gray)tries to catch him.
Mississipi goalie Kiefer Smiley (31%2C gray) smothers the puck as Pensacola%27s Dan Buccella (47%2C blue) tries to pry it loose.
Tempers flare around th Mississippi net.
Contact the photographer at vanessa.johnson@prohockeynews.com
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