PENSACOLA, FL – Team Captain Garrett Milan scored an awkward but no less crucial OT goal at the Hangar on Friday night to put the struggling Ice Flyers in the win column against the 4th-place Fayetteville Marksmen and take his place in Ice Flyers’ history as the top scorer with goal number 86.
Milan, who has been playing with an undisclosed injury, passed former President’s Cup alumnus and Captain Adam Pawlick, whose 85 goals had stood since 2016. Pawlick’s banner now overlooks the rink from the rafters of the Pensacola Bay Center along with Dan Bucella.
Fayetteville, previously 17-1-1 when scoring first, was up as much as 3-1 after the Ice Flyers missed on two good early opportunities and slumped in the early minutes of the second and third periods, leading to quick Fayetteville goals.
“Garrett said it best in the locker room,” said Coach Gary Graham. “Had it been four or five weeks ago, we would have lost that game probably 4-1. We just didn’t have that sense of belief where we could come from behind. I think what we have shown over the last month is the team is starting to get more confident and belief that we can score goals in critical times.”
Milan’s historical moment was augmented by it being the OT game winner, but ironically Milan didn’t even take the shot. While making several moves around the Marksmen’s net, Milan broke away and fired a shot that a Fayetteville player batted into his own net while trying to deflect. Game over; history made.
“I’m sure he didn’t want his goal to be like that, but I wanted it to be like that,” said Graham. “Let me tell you why. I’m very superstitious, and we’ve had crap luck the entire season. We’ve had barely any puck luck this year, and so we have been due. I told Garrett that it’s funny your record goal is this ugly goal that basically they score on their own net. We’re going to take it.”
“Pensacola is a second home to me now,” Milan told Pro Hockey News. “The fans have supported me since I got here and have treated me very well. They show up to the Bay Center every weekend showing how much hockey means to this community. Playing here is definitely something special to me now. The area itself is gorgeous and is an incredible beach to live on. The organization is first class when it comes to not only the hockey aspect but the living as well, which makes it that much more enjoyable to be a part of this franchise. They care about winning, but also players’ day-to-day lives.”
With a 2-1 win against the Marksmen once again on Saturday night, the Ice Flyers are catching some updraft, having won 4 of their last 5 games.
“I knew that Garrett was going to break the record Friday night,” PHN photographer William Kober commented. “What I didn’t know was the ‘when’ or the circumstances. I honestly predicted the game was going to go into OT and Garrett was going to score the goal then. When I saw him score, I had one of the best seats in the Hangar. I was standing in the corner taking photos of the Ice Flyers pounding away shots and rebounds until the puck went in. Because I was working, I took a quick moment to stop photographing and just take in the moment and enjoy the celebration between Garrett and his teammates.”
“I was extremely fortunate to play with some unbelievable players that all helped me set the record,” said Adam Pawlick. “I certainly couldn’t have done it without them. But I certainly agree that records are made to be broken and want to say congratulations to Garrett on breaking the record. What a way to break it to with the game winning goal in overtime. Just awesome to see!”
Photos courtesy of PHN Photojournalist William Kober
Special thanks to Denise Hemenway
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