PENSACOLA, FL – The excitement was palpable at the Hangar on Saturday night.
In an emotionally charged contest that began with a stirring tribute to legendary team member Dan Buccella, fans’ expectations were high for what the Ice Flyers would deliver with a former championship-winning head coach back at the helm. And no one was disappointed as they rallied from an early deficit to defeat the Birmingham Bulls 7 -5 in what looked like a much different caliber of hockey from the start of last season, when the team had the shortest training camp in their history.
“Training camp was really goofy the last few years coming out of Covid,” explained Head Coach Gary Graham. “Last year they didn’t even have an exhibition game. They actually only had a few practices before their first game. This year we brought in a bigger training camp, and after we made cuts and our coast guys came down the practices got a lot better that second week after the exhibition game against Birmingham.”
Netting 7 goals in 34 shots, the Ice Flyers were effective in setting up plays and delivering the puck to targets in the crease as well as impressive shooting from the outside. Immediately gaining the momentum with a goal 1:21 into the contest, the Bulls were looking formidable until a disallowed Ice Flyers goal 8 minutes into the game turned the momentum. Fans erupted in protest, and the din from the crowd fueled a turnaround that would last the entire game. From the hat trick by Brett Mercones to Mitch Atkins’ streamlined pass to Sean Gulka waiting to tap in at the net, the night turned truly next level for Pensacola.
“D-man (Jordan) Henderson made a great pass to Atkins,” recalls Coach Graham. “But the pass from Atkins to Gulka in the back post was a beautiful thing.”
Team Captain Garrett Milan launched a rocket from about 30 feet out in the corner and hit the Birmingham goaltender Hayden Stuart in the helmet. Then, like Steph Curry shooting a 3-pointer from his favorite spot, Milan returned a minute later to the corner at 3:56 into the 3rd period and put the puck right over the netminder’s head for goal number 7.
“That was on the 4 on 3 powerplay,” said Graham. “The goalie made the first save, and then we retrieved the puck and got set back up and he was able to fire again. We got a great screen in front of the net by Lucas Herrmann, and I don’t think the goalie ever even saw Garrett’s shot.”
All eyes are on the Ice Flyers as they travel to long-time rival Huntsville on Friday, and back to face the Havoc again on home ice at the Hangar on Saturday.
Photos courtesy of PHN photographer William Kober
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