KNOXVILLE, TN – Knoxville goalie Andrew Gallant and his defense withstood a 45 shot barrage by Huntsville to capture a 4-2 win Friday night in Knoxville to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five Southern Professional Hockey League semi-final series against the Havoc.
In a battle of special teams, the crowd of 2,308 watched as Knoxville converted on three of nine power plays while Huntsville, which led the SPHL in power play percentage in the regular season, was able to convert on only one of seven opportunities and had a short handed tally.
Huntsville started the evening with that short-handed goal at 8:30 of period one. Travis Kauffeldt had been whistled off for Huntsville on a hooking call and just as his penalty was about to expire, a Knoxville defenseman lost control of the puck near the blue line and when goaltender Gallant tried to get to the loose puck, he ended up out of position. Havoc skater Ed Campbell made him pay with an almost open net goal. Billy Tibbetts, who returned from suspension after missing Thursday night’s opening game, got one assist while Jeff Winchester got the other point on the Campbell goal.
Tibbetts continued his inspired play later in the stanza, getting the only assist on the second Huntsville goal when on the power play, B.J. Radovich slammed a rebound past Gallant at 14:48 of the period. The rebound came off a wicked slap shot off the stick of Tibbetts. The score stood up and Huntsville had a 2-0 lead at the end of the period.
The scoring in periods two and three was all done by Knoxville. Mike Carter started the comeback with a power play goal at 2:27 of the second period, beating losing goaltender Tim Haun. Kevin Swider and Tim Vitek got assists as Knoxville crept back within one goal. It proved to be the start of a big point night for the line as Swider contributed four assists while Vitek got four points on one goal and three assists.
Knoxville tied the game 2-2 at 10:33 of the second period as Shaun Norrie got his first goal and fourth point in the series on a power play. Knoxville was able to establish its power play rotation in the Huntsville zone and after a series of passes and opportunities, Vitek and Swider combined to set up Norrie’s shot from about ten feet in front of the net in the slot.
The Ice Bears scored what proved to be the game winning goal on their third consecutive successful power play. SPHL All-star and Defenseman of the Year Kevin Harris blasted a slap shot from the point as Bobby Joe Pelkey screened Haun. The Harris goal was again setup by Swider and Vitek. Vitek then added an insurance goal at 18:23 of the final period to close out the scoring with Swider earning his fourth point of the night.
Knoxville Coach Scott Hillman was pleased with the win but stressed that the Ice Bears are not over confident.
“We did what we needed to do in a five game series, win the first two games,” he said. “They remain a dangerous team. You wouldn’t want to go into their building with the series tied one to on e.”
Of some concern for Ice Bears fans has been the high shot totals that Gallant, now with two playoff wins, has faced in the series. Adjustments resulted in fewer shots in the second and third periods tonight after Huntsville hammered 21 shots on goal in period one.
“A lot of the shots we faced all year came from the perimeter,” Hillman explained. “While the shot totals may be high, I am willing to concede the longer range opportunities as long as they don’t result in a lot of goals.”
Knoxville can wrap up the series Saturday night in Huntsville. Game time is set for 7:35 PM CST.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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