Late-Game Misfortune Before Big Crowd Sinks Ice Flyers In First Home Loss
December 27, 2023
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers.Com Correspondent
A quick breakdown and bad ricochet off the boards led into the Ice Flyers first home ice loss.
First-place Birmingham seized upon a mistake, had center Brendan Soucie pounce on a bounce for a go-ahead goal with 6:23 remaining and the Bulls thwarted any space for a tying opportunity in their 3-2 win Tuesday night against the Ice Flyers.
On the night after Christmas, a crowd of 5,418 filled the lower bowl of the Pensacola Bay Center on Youth Jersey Night. They watched the Ice Flyers twice rally with game-tying goals, but the final minutes proved elusive for another shot at a comeback win.
“We do a great job of climbing back in the game and we had a couple back to back shifts of doing stuff that we don’t want to be doing, which is going backwards and it allowed them to get up on us and get momentum and wear our (defense) down,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham, whose team had won its first nine home games.
“We had this lapse for about three minutes and it killed us,” Graham said. “The worst thing was we couldn’t find our game when we needed it the most. When you get a good crowd like that it is always frustrating to lose the game in that fashion.
For a game action photo gallery, click or tap here.
“But you create your bounces and Birmingham was working hard with the forecheck and they got a bounce and they capatilize.”
The Bulls (15-4, 3 OT losses, 33 points) took over first place in the Southern Professional Hockey League standings with the win, The Ice Flyers (13-9, 26 points). dropped into fourth place with the loss.
The teams will play again on Friday at the Pelham Civic Center outside of Birmingham, then return to the Bay Center for the final game of this week’s series on Saturday night.
The first 1,000 children ages 12-under through the arena doors Tuesday received an Ice Flyers replica jersey courtesy. This night followed a crowd of 6,000-plus that watched the Ice Flyers win Saturday against Macon that kept the home streak going.
Tuesday’s crowd filled with kids led to enthusiastic, hopeful setting that responded when the Ice Flyers tied the game 1-1 in the final minute of the second period, then had Taylor Egan rifle a tying goal with 9:01 left to create more energy.
“First (home) loss in nine games, so it’s tough to do that in front of your hometown crowd,” Egan said. “You always want to pull off a win for them. (Crowd turnout) was amazing People could be spending that time at home with their families and they choose to come here and support us. It was great.”
The Ice Flyers gave up a power play goal, after nearly killing off what started as a 5-on-3 disadvantage midway in the third period. But the Bulls 2-1 lead on Egan’s wrist shot from inside the blue line two minutes later.
On the player, teammate Dallas Comeau created a screen and Egan’s shot went into the side pocket of the net.
“It seemed like they were pretty tight on their coverage in the d-zone (defensive zone) all game,” Egan said. “Mitch Atkins made a nice play, realizing he had time and space (for a pass). I was in the slot, Dallas put a good screen there and I realized the pressure was in front of the net down low and I took advantage of that.”
That momentum, however, was answered by Birmingham when Soucie wound up with an unassisted goal that he flicked in off the bounce past Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger.
In the final 90 seconds, the Bulls kept the Ice Flyers from getting Mundinger off the ice for an extra attacker until 14.9 seconds left. The last chance was a faceoff with 5.6 seconds left, won by the Bulls to seal the game.
“I couldn’t get my goalie pulled which was frustrating,” Graham said.
The Bulls win evened their season record (3-3) against the Ice Flyers.
After a scoreless first period in which the teams combined for just nine shots on goal, the game was tied 1-1 after two periods. The Ice Flyers scored on their 18th shot in the game when Brett Mecrones pounced on a center ice turnover, got a breakaway with a trailing teammate and flicked a wrist shot into the net with 49.6 seconds left in the period.
The Ice Flyers killed a pair of penalties in the second period, including a four-minute high sticking infraction whistled against Malik Johnson with 8:42 left and it became a big moment in the game.
Birmingham scored the game’s first goal five minutes earlier when Scott Donahue poked in a loose puck that had fallen off Mundinger’s chest amid a player scramble in the crease area.
“For them, (Bulls) keep the puck away from the dangerous areas in their d-zone,” Egan said. “They keep it off the wall. They make simple plays which is good hockey and it’s frustrating for teams to play against. But obviously it’s proven successful for them.”
For a game action photo gallery, click or tap here.
Following the game, the players met with fans for an autograph session on the second-level concourse.
UP NEXT
WHO: Birmingham Bulls vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
FWC Charges Bratt Felon For Hunting With A Rifle
December 27, 2023
State authorities have filed multiple charges against a Bratt man allegedly caught in the woods hunting with a rifle.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy watched Clemmons get out of a vehicle and pull a rifle before walking into a wooded area.
Donald David Clemmons, 61, was charged by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with possession of a firearm, marijuana possession and violating a domestic violence injunction.
The information was passed along to a FWC officer who arrived at the scene on Highway 4 near C.W. Caraway Road in Bratt and verified that Clemmons was a convicted felon with an active domestic violence injunction. Officers made contact with Clemmons who admitted he was hunting and left the firearm in the woods, according to an arrest report.
The firearm was recovered and identified as a Savage Axis XP 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt Action rifle, the report continues. Clemmons also admitted to having two joints in his cigarette pack, the report states.
Clemmons remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning without bond.
Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
December 27, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their November Studens of the Month. They are:
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Sun Returns For Midweek; Winter Chill Returns Friday
December 27, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 30. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
New Year’s Day: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between 7am and 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Confessed Home Depot Killer Appeals Conviction And Life Sentence
December 27, 2023
A man that confessed last week and was convicted in an Escambia County Home Depot murder and sentenced to life in prison last week has already filed an appeal.
Keith Agee, 20, filed a notice of appeal on December 21 to the District Court of Appeals, First District, State of Florida, the day after he confessed and was sentenced by Judge Coleman Robinson.
The basis for the appeal is not mentioned in a filed notice in court records.
Agee took the stand and confessed to the murder, saying it was his intent. He said he tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease after becoming intimate with Sims. He testified that he was angry, hurt and felt betrayed. In reality, prosecutors said she did not have an STD.
Agee’s mother Sheila is also facing a first degree accessory to premeditated murder charge because, according to authorities, she knew of Agee’s plan and aided him. She will go to trial in February.
Willie Ray Lawson
December 27, 2023
Mr. Willie Ray Lawson, age 83, passed away, Saturday, December 23, 2023 in Pensacola FL; with his loving wife at his bedside. He was a native of Century, FL. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Mississippi University. He was the Town Clerk for Century for thirty plus years before retiring.
Mr. Lawson loved his wife Gloria Jean and family. He enjoyed working outdoors gardening and planting flowers. He liked traveling to Las Vegas and Biloxi. He was a very dependable, kind man that also enjoyed sitting down reading and watching a good western.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James Homer (Vernon Loraine) Lawson, one brother, Gene Lawson, two sisters, Linda Faye Byrd, and Sally Marie Dunsford.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Gloria Jean Lawson, of Century, FL; special niece, Sherry White, of Jay, FL; one sister, Patsy (Joe) Cobb, of Tuscaloosa, AL; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside and burial services will be held Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Poplar Dell Cemetery.
Free Dog And Cat Adoptions At The Escambia Animal Shelter Until Dec. 31
December 27, 2023
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare will continue its adoption special through the remainder of 2023.
During the event, adoptions for all cats and dogs 1 year or older will be free. Puppies will be available for $50 and kittens will be available for $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents. View all adoptable pets at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on 24petconnect.com.
“We had an incredible response to our ‘Empty the Shelters’ holiday campaign with BISSELL Pet Foundation,” said John Robinson, Director for the Department of Animal Welfare. “We are excited to be able to continue our free adoption special during the holidays. We hope our community will come out and take advantage of this opportunity to bring a pet home this holiday season.”
For questions or more information, the public may call the Department of Animal Welfare at 850-595-3075.
The Animal Welfare and Adoption Center, located at 200 W. Fairfield Dr., is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 12-4 p.m. The facility will be closed for the holidays on Jan. 1 and 2.
ECSO Mounted Unit’s Shannon Enderson Named A State Volunteer of the Year
December 26, 2023
Shannon Enderson, a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit, has been named the Florida Crime Prevention Association’s Volunteer of the Year.
In the mounted unit, she devotes many hours engaging with our community. She is also a huge part of ECSO programs, such as the Citizen’s Law Enforcement Academy and the Neighborhood Watch Academy.
“It’s an honor to be chosen as the Crime Prevention Association Volunteer of the Year. I love helping where it is needed,” Enderson said. “I enjoy meeting new people in the community and meeting the children all around our county. The children of the future are in our hands in the present. It is our responsibility to help them grow and show them the right way. This is a big part of why I volunteer, to show our youth that it is ok to do good things for free.”
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Century Correctonal Inmate Assaulted Officer, FDC Says
December 26, 2023
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Len Cotney assaulted a correctional officer by pulling the officer’s arm, and the incident was captured on camera, according to FDC.
Cotney was serving a 10-year sentence out of Hillsborough County for charges including robbery with a gun, witness tampering, and fleeing and eluding.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Hunting Violations
December 26, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Land was patrolling Yellow River Wildlife Management Area and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was operating without a tag displayed. Officer Land detected the strong smell of cannabis from the vehicle. He received consent from the operator to look in the vehicle and located drug paraphernalia. The owner was cited for the violations.
Officer Land was patrolling Blackwater Wildlife Management Area and located an individual hunting with a centerfire rifle before the general gun season opened. The subject was not wearing fluorescent orange and did not possess a quota permit for Blackwater WMA. The subject was cited for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Burkhead was patrolling Blackwater Wildlife Management Area when he heard shotguns being fired prior to legal shooting hours in an area that is commonly used for waterfowl hunting. Officer Burkhead located the individuals who were shooting and verified they were waterfowl hunting. One of the individuals hid a shotgun and later admitted he was hunting waterfowl that morning without his federal duck stamp or other permits required to hunt waterfowl. Officer Burkhead charged the individuals for hunting waterfowl prior to legal shooting hours. Officer Burkhead charged the other individual for hunting waterfowl without a federal duck stamp and wrote citations for the permit violations.
Officer Burkhead was conducting resource inspections on duck hunters at Smith’s Fish Camp. Upon checking a group of individuals, he found one of the subjects to be hunting waterfowl with a shotgun capable of holding more than three rounds. Officer Burkhead cited the individual for hunting waterfowl with an unplugged shotgun.
Officers Burkhead, Lugg, Wilkenson, and Lieutenant Corbin were conducting resource inspections in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area. They conducted an inspection on an individual driving on a Florida Forest Service maintained road and found the individual to be in possession of deer meat with high-risk parts such as bone from a deer harvested outside of Florida. The individual was also not in possession of any sex identification along with the meat he was transporting. Officer Burkhead issued a notice to appear citation for possessing or importing deer, elk, moose or caribou carcasses or high-risk parts from anywhere outside of Florida. He wrote a written warning for not being in possession of sex identification for the deer he was transporting.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.